Background Screening News

This page provides information on background screening procedure changes and form updates.

March 2013 - The Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Identification made a recent change and is no longer providing FBI records check for adoptive couples. Instead, adoptive couples looking to obtain personal copies of their fingerprint-based FBI check must make the request directly with the FBI. Couples may visit the FBI's website for forms and instructions: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/submitting-an-identification-record-request-to-the-fbi. This independent FBI records check is typically completed when an adoptive couple is adopting internationally or for the purpose of ICPC approval.
Please be aware that the above change by the Public Safety (BCI) does NOT impact the background screening process of the Office of Licensing. Adoptive couples and employees working with a Licensed Child Placing Adoption agency must still submit background screening applications (and where applicable fingerprint cards and fees) to the Office of Licensing for processing and approval. Applications and instructions to process background screening applications through the Office of Licensing remain the same.

November 2012 - Thank you so much for coming to our October 2012 training. For the most part we received very positive comments (very helpful, informative, etc.) and we're looking forward to another training in 2013!

October 2012
- Any checks/payments that are received without a screening application will be returned directly to the facility without processing. Payments MUST be attached to a corresponding screening application.
- The screening application has been updated (see forms page for download). Please begin using the revised version immediately. Versions with revision dates previous to October 2012 will not be accepted after January 1, 2013.

Reminder - In conjunction with revised State Code 78A-6-308(3)(a), effective May 10, 2012, a fingerprint based FBI national criminal history records check shall be conducted on the prospective foster parent or prospective adoptive parent and any other adult residing in the household.

Reminder - In instances of the use of E-verify documentation showing only the last four digits of the social security number, the licensee must initial the background screening form field showing the complete social security number.
E-verify may ONLY be used for initial applicants, renewal applicants must attach a copy of their social security card.

The current list of Livescan sites is available here.
The most current version of the screening application and instructions are available here.