OPM 71 Request for Leave or Approved Absence
OPM Form 71 is the standard leave slip for federal employees. It covers annual leave, sick leave, leave without pay, and other absences, and goes to your supervisor for approval.
This is the genuine OPM PDF, unmodified. Source: OPM official page.
What is OPM 71?
OPM 71, Request for Leave or Approved Absence, formerly known as SF 71, is the form federal employees use to request time away from work. It covers annual leave, sick leave, compensatory time, leave without pay, family and medical leave, and other categories of approved absence, with checkboxes for the type of leave and blocks for the dates and hours requested.
The employee completes and signs the request, and the supervisor or other approving official signs to approve or disapprove it. Many agencies now handle leave requests inside their time and attendance systems, but the paper OPM 71 remains valid and is still used where electronic systems are unavailable or when documentation is needed for the record.
Who files OPM 71?
- Federal civilian employees requesting annual leave, sick leave, or other paid time off
- Employees requesting leave without pay or absence covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act
- Supervisors and timekeepers who approve requests and file them with time and attendance records
- Employees documenting sick leave that requires a medical certificate under agency policy
How to fill out OPM 71
- Fill in your name and, where requested, your employee identification information.
- Check the type of leave you are requesting and enter the dates and number of hours.
- For family and medical leave or sick leave for family care, complete the certification blocks that apply.
- Sign and date the request, then submit it to your supervisor or approving official.
- Keep a copy once it is signed; the approved form goes to your timekeeper or is filed with your agency's time and attendance records.
Quick fill OPM 71 on this page
Prefer to see the form itself while you type? Open OPM 71 in the editor to fill it on the actual pages, add a signature, and download.
Frequently asked questions
Is OPM 71 the same as the old SF 71?
Yes. The form was redesignated from Standard Form 71 to OPM Form 71. Some offices still call it the SF 71 or simply the leave slip, but it is the same request form.
Do I need to use the paper form if my agency has an electronic system?
Follow your agency's process. Most agencies take routine requests through their time and attendance system, and the paper form is used as a backup or when a signed record is specifically needed.