SF Form 66C: Merged Records Personnel Folder (MRPF) Guide

SF Form 66C: Merged Records Personnel Folder (MRPF) Guide – The SF Form 66C, officially known as the Merged Records Personnel Folder (MRPF), is a specialized orange-colored folder used by U.S. federal agencies to maintain comprehensive personnel records for employees with mixed federal service histories. Unlike the standard Official Personnel Folder (OPF, SF 66), the MRPF combines documentation from Title 5 civil service employment with records from other federal personnel systems.

This guide explains what the SF 66C is, when it is used, how it differs from other personnel folders, and how current and former federal employees can access their records. Information is based on official sources from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), General Services Administration (GSA), National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), and agency handbooks (current as of 2026).

What Is SF Form 66C (Merged Records Personnel Folder)?

The SF 66C is a physical folder (Stock Number 7540-01-165-7295) designed to house long-term personnel documents for individuals whose federal employment spans multiple systems. It serves the same core purpose as the standard OPF: to protect the legal and financial rights of both the employee and the government by documenting employment history, personnel actions, service computation, benefits eligibility, and other critical data.

  • Color: Orange (to distinguish it from the standard white/cream SF 66 OPF).
  • Revision Date: November 1983 (still the current version per GSA).
  • Purpose: To merge records when an employee has service under OPM’s recordkeeping authority (Title 5) and under non-Title 5 federal systems, or solely under certain non-civil service systems.

Key documents typically filed in an MRPF include:

  • SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) forms documenting appointments, promotions, reassignments, separations, and other actions.
  • Prior service documentation.
  • Veterans’ preference records.
  • Documents supporting leave accrual, retirement, and reduction-in-force (RIF) standing.

Long-term (permanent) records go on the right side of the folder, while temporary records are placed on the left side, following OPM’s Guide to Personnel Recordkeeping.

When Is the SF 66C Used Instead of a Standard OPF?

Agencies must use the Merged Records Personnel Folder (SF 66C) in these common scenarios:

  1. Mixed Service Histories: Employees with prior service in systems outside standard civil service, such as:
    • U.S. Postal Service (especially pre-1970 or certain periods).
    • Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) positions within the Department of Defense (DoD), particularly when portability benefits apply under laws like Public Law 101-508.
    • Other federal entities including the Foreign Service (in some cases), FBI, State Department, or legacy systems like certain Post Office records.
  2. DoD NAF to APF Transitions: When employees move between Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) and Appropriated Fund (APF) positions in DoD and retain or port retirement or other benefits, the NAF records are merged into an MRPF.
  3. Specific Agency Practices: The U.S. Postal Service uses SF 66C for employees with pre-1970 Postal Service history or service in other federal agencies.

Important Note: The MRPF is not used for purely standard Title 5 civil service careers. In those cases, agencies use the standard SF 66 Official Personnel Folder or its electronic equivalent (eOPF).

Most modern federal personnel records are managed electronically via the electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF) system, but physical SF 66C folders are still created or maintained when merging paper-based legacy records or for specific transfers.

SF 66C vs. Other Personnel Folders

  • SF 66 (Official Personnel Folder – OPF): For standard federal civil service employees under OPM’s primary authority (Title 5). White folder.
  • SF 66C (Merged Records Personnel Folder – MRPF): For mixed or non-standard federal service. Orange folder.
  • SF 66D (Employee Medical Folder – EMF): Separate folder for long-term occupational medical records.
  • Employee Performance File (EPF): Contains performance appraisals and related documents (often maintained separately).

Medical records and performance files are generally not filed in the MRPF itself but follow their own rules (e.g., EMF for certain medical documentation).

How to Access or Request Your SF 66C / MRPF Records?

Current Federal Employees:

  • Access most documents through your agency’s eOPF portal (electronic Official Personnel Folder). Many agencies provide self-service access to SF-50s, performance ratings, and other records.
  • Contact your Human Resources (HR) office for assistance with physical folders or merged records.

Former Federal Employees or Separated Individuals:

  • Non-archival OPFs and MRPFs (employment ended after 1951) are maintained by the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, MO, under OPM custody.
  • Submit a written request to NPRC for copies of records. Include your full name, Social Security Number, dates of service, and specify you are seeking civilian personnel records (including any merged folder).
  • Requests can be made via mail or other methods outlined on the National Archives website. Privacy Act restrictions apply—only the individual of record or authorized representatives generally have full access.

Veterans with Mixed Civilian Service:

  • Civilian records (OPF/MRPF) are separate from military Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF). Request military records using SF 180 or the online eVetRecs system.

Tip: Review your records periodically, especially SF-50s, to ensure accuracy in service computation dates, veterans’ preference, and retirement eligibility.

Why Accurate Personnel Records Matter?

Your MRPF or OPF directly impacts:

  • Retirement calculations (e.g., high-3 average pay).
  • Leave accrual rates.
  • Reduction-in-Force (RIF) standing.
  • Veterans’ preference in future hiring.
  • Benefits portability (especially in DoD NAF/APF transitions).
  • Verification of federal service for loans, security clearances, or new employment.

Errors in merged records can affect these areas, so prompt correction through HR is essential.

How to Order Blank SF 66C Folders (for Agencies)?

U.S. Government agencies and offices can order SF 66C folders through:

  • GSA Global Supply or GSA Advantage (Stock Number: 7540-01-165-7295).
  • Government purchase card or Activity Address Code (AAC) required.

Government contractors need agency sponsorship. These folders contain recycled material content per GSA specifications.

For detailed filing instructions, maintenance, and transfer procedures, refer to OPM’s official publications:

  • The Guide to Personnel Recordkeeping
  • The Guide to Processing Personnel Actions

Related Downloads (official Air Force e-Publishing links provided):

These may contain agency-specific supplements relevant to DoD or Air Force personnel practices involving MRPFs.

Need Help with Your Federal Personnel Records?

  • Current employees: Start with your agency HR or eOPF system.
  • Former employees: Visit the National Archives Personnel Records Center page for request instructions.
  • DoD/NAF transitions: Consult your servicing Civilian Personnel Office or review DoD portability guidance.

Maintaining accurate merged records ensures your federal career history is properly documented for benefits, retirement, and future opportunities. If you believe documents are missing from your MRPF or OPF, contact the appropriate HR or records office promptly to request reconstruction or interfiling.

This article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available government sources. Always verify the latest procedures directly with OPM, your agency HR, or the National Archives, as policies and electronic systems continue to evolve.

Keywords: SF 66C, SF Form 66C, Merged Records Personnel Folder, MRPF, Official Personnel Folder, OPF, federal personnel records, SF-50, eOPF, DoD NAF portability, National Personnel Records Center.