We’ve compiled this listing of state child abuse registry contacts to help you conduct the background checks required by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act.
The type of information contained in central registries and department records varies by state. Some states maintain all investigated reports of abuse and neglect in their central registries, while others maintain only substantiated reports. The length of time the information is held and the conditions for removal also vary by state.
To update a state listing, please email updates@adoptuskids.org using the subject line “child abuse registry change.”
Contact: Sally Gerardo
602-255-2842 or FHLAWA@azdcs.gov
Arkansas
Form and instructions: Not available online
Contacts: Background investigation unit
800-799-5876
Delaware
Contact: Beth Kramer
800-292-9582
District of Columbia
Form and instructions: Child and Family Services website
Contact: Child Protection Register
202-727-8885 or cfsa@dc.gov
Florida
Form: not available online
Guam
Form and instructions: not available online
Idaho
Form and instructions: not available online
Contact: Fernando Castro
208-332-7990 or castrof@dhw.idaho.gov
Illinois
Form and instructions: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services website (search for “689 background check”)
Iowa
Form and instructions: Iowa Department of Human Services website (search for form 470-0643)
Contact: Child Abuse/Neglect Central Registry
DCF.CentralRegistry@ks.gov
Contact: Erika Bauford
502-564-3834 or erikad.bauford@ky.gov
Louisiana
Maine
Form and instructions: not available online
Contact: Amber Casey
800-452-1999, ext. 2 or Amber.Casey@maine.gov
Contact: Ann LaHaine
517-284-9714 or Lahainea@michigan.gov
Minnesota
Form and instructions: Minnesota Department of Human Services
Contact: Family care safety registry
866-422-6872
Montana
Form and instructions: State of Montana website (search for form “DPHHS-CFS/LIC018”)
Contact: Child & Family Services Division
406-841-2400
Nebraska
Form and instructions: Nebraska government website
Contact: Bruce Cole
775-684-7941
New Hampshire
Form and instructions: Department of Health and Human Services
Contact: Leandra Platt or Elena Marcotte
603-271-4259; 603-271-8383
Contact: Judith Williams
855-744-4913
Contact: Roberta Frederick
518-474-8740
North Carolina
Form and instructions: Division of Social Services website
Contact: NCDSS Regulatory & Licensing Office
828-232-3160
Contact: Tara Reed
701-328-1846 or dhscfscbc@nd.gov
Oklahoma
Form and instructions: Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Contact: Jimmy Arias
jimmy.arias@okdhs.org or 405-213-4532
Oregon
Form and instructions: not available online
Contact: Tracey Isom
800-932-0313 or tlsom@state.pa.us
Puerto Rico
Form and instructions: not available online
Contact: Lisa Agosto Carrasquillo or Melissa Viana-Salas
787-625-4900, ext. 1728 or ejrivera@adfan.pr.gov
Rhode Island
Form and instructions: not available online
Contact: Jan Mitchell
800-742-4453
Contact: Portia Hawkins
803-898-7884 or portia.Hawkins@dss.sc.gov
South Dakota
Form and instructions: Department of Social Services website
Contact: Larry Phillips
615-532-9856
Texas
Form and instructions: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services website (search for form 2970)
Contact: Centralized Background Check Unit
800-645-7549 or TXAbuseNeglectBGC@dfps.state.tx.us
Virginia
Form and instructions: Department of Social Services website
Virgin Islands
Form and instructions: Email a request on letterhead and a consent consent of release form
Contact:
Phone: 304-352-4429
Fax: 304-558-4563
Address:
West Virginia DHHR Bureau for Social Services
ATTN: APS/CPS Background Check Unit
350 Capitol Street, Room B-18
Charleston, WV 25301
Wisconsin
Contacts:
Stephanie Ross: 307-777-5894 or sross@wyo.gov
Heidi Teasley: 307-777-5491 or heidi.teasley@wyo.gov
To update a state listing, please email updates@adoptuskids.org using the subject line “child abuse registry change.”
The US Department of State maintains tables of “Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country.” These tables include country-specific information for how to obtain international police clearance and a wide range of other documents. In general, a table will indicate if a foreign resident of the country can obtain the required document, and if so, the procedure for accessing it. To find information using these tables, choose a country from the drop-down menu. On the country webpage, use the menu on the left side of the screen to select the type of documents and records (e.g., “general documents”, “police, court, prison records”) you are seeking.