STATEMENT OF REASONS

Statement of Reasons (SOR) in a Security Clearance Case: What It Means, Deadlines, and What to Do Next

If you work in the defense sector and receive a Statement of Reasons (SOR), it is a serious development in the security clearance process. For many service members and defense contractors, this is the first formal notice that their clearance, and often their employment, is at risk.

An SOR is not a final decision, but it does start a short and important clock. What you do in the days immediately following receipt can significantly affect the outcome.

What Is a Statement of Reasons?

A Statement of Reasons is a formal document issued during the security clearance adjudication process when the government believes there are unresolved security concerns.

The SOR:

• Identifies specific concerns under the national security adjudicative guidelines

• Lists factual allegations supporting those concerns

• Assigns an ISCR case number

• Sets a firm deadline to respond

For active duty service members, SORs are often issued through centralized adjudication channels associated with Fort Meade. For civilian defense contractors, SORs commonly come through DCSA and DOHA, often coordinated with your Facility Security Officer and regional offices such as San Diego or Los Angeles.

Regardless of where it originates, an SOR means the government has formally taken a position that must be addressed.

How Much Time Do You Have to Respond?

Most Statements of Reasons require a written response within a short deadline, often around 20 days from receipt. Failing to respond on time can result in an adverse decision without a hearing.

However, when counsel is retained early, it is often possible to request a reasonable extension. Extensions are commonly coordinated through:

• A Security Management Officer or Facility Security Officer

• DCSA or DOHA administrative staff

Extensions are discretionary, not automatic, and are far more likely to be granted when requested promptly and professionally.

How the SOR Is Structured

Each allegation in an SOR corresponds to a specific area of concern under the national security adjudicative framework. Common categories include financial considerations, personal conduct, foreign influence, or misuse of information systems.

The SOR is not asking whether you are a good person. It is asking whether the facts, as alleged, leave unresolved doubt about judgment, reliability, or trustworthiness.

A proper response must address:

• Each allegation individually

• Whether the factual allegation is admitted or denied

• What mitigating information exists now, not just historically

This is a legal and evidentiary process, even though it does not initially resemble a courtroom proceeding.

Written Record or Hearing: A Strategic Decision

In responding to an SOR, applicants are typically required to choose between:

• Proceeding on the written record, or

• Requesting a hearing before an Administrative Judge

This decision should not be automatic. The better option depends on the nature of the allegations, the available evidence, and whether credibility, explanation, or live testimony will meaningfully affect the outcome.

Making this choice without understanding the implications can limit options later in the case.

What Matters Most in an SOR Response

SOR cases are rarely decided based on whether something happened. They are decided on whether the concern has been mitigated.

Effective responses often focus on:

• Demonstrating changed circumstances

• Showing corrective action or control

• Providing documentation tied directly to the concern

• Avoiding unnecessary explanations that create new issues

Waiting until the deadline approaches reduces flexibility. Early action allows time to gather records, clarify timelines, and present the strongest possible response.

Why Early Counsel Makes a Difference

Although the process feels administrative at first, the security clearance system is adversarial in nature. The government has assigned counsel, defined procedures, and a clear position.

Early representation can help:

• Shape the record before it hardens

• Coordinate extensions when appropriate

• Ensure responses align with the adjudicative framework

• Preserve issues for hearing or appeal if needed

In many cases, matters resolve more favorably when addressed early and deliberately.

Take the SOR Seriously, but Act Deliberately

Receiving a Statement of Reasons is unsettling, but it is not uncommon, and it is not the end of the process. Many professionals with long, successful careers encounter an SOR due to life events, financial issues, or misunderstandings.

What matters most is how the response is handled and how quickly informed decisions are made.

If you have received a Statement of Reasons, time matters. A prompt consultation can help you understand what the document is alleging, what options remain available, and how best to protect your clearance and your career.

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal rights and obligations depend on the specific facts of each case. You should consult a licensed attorney regarding your individual situation.