OPM 71 Request for Leave or Approved Absence
Request time off with clear questions and a completed official PDF.
Official Source:U.S. Office of Personnel ManagementChecked Sep 2026What is OPM 71 used for?
Choose your leave types, enter dates, times and work hours, then review, sign and send the completed request through your agency's leave-request process.
Time, difficulty & who this form is for
Average time
Varies with your leave request
Have your leave dates, work hours and agency instructions ready before you start.
Difficulty
Straightforward with your schedule ready
Based on the official source, the active walkthrough branches, and the details needed for the final PDF.
Best for
Federal employees whose agency accepts OPM 71
Check that this form fits your situation before entering personal information.
What do I need before I start?
Before you start
What to know before you start.
What this form does
Use this form if your agency accepts OPM 71. Your supervisor or personnel office tells you how to submit it and whether a drawn signature is accepted. Leave the supervisor's approval section blank. Downloading the form does not submit it or approve your leave. This walkthrough has live source-to-completion proof.
Keep in mind
Check names, dates, signatures, and supporting documents before submitting the form.
What you’ll need
Your name and employing agency or office.
Your employee number or the last four digits of your SSN, if you choose to provide it.
The leave types, dates, start and end times, and work hours you are requesting.
The reason for sick leave or FMLA, when applicable, and any details your supervisor requires.
Your agency's instructions for signing and sending the request.
What happens after I complete it?
Review the completed PDF, sign and date it yourself, and send it through your agency's approved process. Use a drawn signature only if your agency accepts it; otherwise print and sign by hand. Keep a copy and confirm receipt and the approval decision.
Where it goes
The recipient and delivery process supplied by your supervisor or personnel office. OPM 71 gives no single mailing address.
Downloading does not submit the form or confirm acceptance.
View the official PDF
PDF source
Official blank form
Source and saved-copy links
From the issuer: https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/opm71/
Docgle cached copy: https://api.staging.docgle.ai/documents/e90bae36-3a4f-43b7-b3c4-8dc548564e06/original
Source, revision & details
Source confidence
Certified walkthrough live
Docgle has completed source-to-completion review for this guided walkthrough.
Walkthrough status
Guided walkthrough ready
Agency
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Form identifier
OPM 71
Estimated time
Varies with your leave request
Revision
Rev. September 2009
Verified
Sep 2026
Jurisdiction
United States federal statewide
Explore the form sections
What you will complete