DFPS no longer uses FAST Pass forms. They have been replaced with the Fingerprinting Instruction Sheets here.

Who is required to have a fingerprint-based FBI check in a CPS foster or adoptive home?

The following persons are required to completed FBI fingerprint checks:

  • Prospective foster or adoptive parents.
  • Persons 14 years or older who reside in a foster or adoptive home.
  • A caregiver in a foster or adoptive home.
  • A volunteer who has unsupervised access to a child in care in a foster or adoptive home.
  • Frequent and regular visitors to the foster or adoptive home who have lived outside of the state of Texas within the past five years - or there is reason to believe that the person has criminal history in another state.
  • Babysitters who will provide unsupervised babysitting service in a foster or adoptive home. This includes youth age 16-17 or an adult age 18 or older.
Who is required to have an Out-of-State Abuse/Neglect History check in a CPS foster or adoptive home, and how do I obtain this history?

The following persons are required to complete an Out-of-State Abuse/Neglect History Check if they have lived outside of the state of Texas within the past five years, or there is reason to believe that the person has an abuse/neglect history in another state:

  • Prospective foster or adoptive parents.
  • Persons 14 years or older who reside in a foster or adoptive home.
  • A caregiver in a foster or adoptive home.
  • A volunteer who has unsupervised access to a child in care in a foster or adoptive home.
  • Frequent and regular visitors to the foster or adoptive home.
  • Babysitters who will provide unsupervised babysitting service in a foster or adoptive home. This includes youth age 16-17 or an adult age 18 or older.

Information about obtaining criminal history or abuse and neglect background checks in other states can be found in the Criminal Background Check Contact List provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Who is required to have an Out-of-State Sex Offender Registry check in a CPS foster or adoptive home, and how do I obtain this history?

The following persons are required to complete an Out-of-State Sex offender Registry Check if they have lived outside of the state of Texas within the past five years, or there is reason to believe that the person is a registered sex offender in another state:

  • Prospective foster or adoptive parents.
  • Persons 14 years or older who reside in a foster or adoptive home.
  • A caregiver in a foster or adoptive home.
  • A volunteer who has unsupervised access to a child in care in a foster or adoptive home.
  • Frequent and regular visitors to the foster or adoptive home.
  • Babysitters who will provide unsupervised babysitting service in a foster or adoptive home. This includes youth age 16-17 or an adult age 18 or older.

Information about obtaining sex offender registry checks in other states can be found in the Criminal Background Check Contact List provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

If a CPS foster or adoptive applicant had an FBI fingerprint check processed when they were certified as a teacher (or nurse, police officer, etc.), does this person need a new FBI fingerprint check?

Yes, the person needs to be fingerprinted again, unless:

  • The person has previously submitted their fingerprints for an FBI check through DFPS and has completed a name-based background check (DPS criminal history and FPS history checks) at least every 24 months since being fingerprinted.

All other applicants must complete a new FBI fingerprint check. In most cases, DFPS cannot use fingerprinting results obtained for another purpose or entity outside of DFPS.

  • If you submitted fingerprints through a Child Placing Agency, please contact your FAD specialist for guidance.
  • If you submitted fingerprints for any other purpose outside of DFPS, you will have to submit new fingerprints for DFPS.

See the Fingerprinting FAQ for more information regarding previously submitted fingerprints.

Which CPS foster or adoptive home visitors are required to have a background check?

DFPS requires background checks on frequent child visitors (aged 14-17) to a CPS foster or adoptive home under the following circumstances:

  • The child lives in the foster or adoptive home.
  • The child has unsupervised access to children in the foster or adoptive home, such as a youth age 16-17 who babysit.
  • The child is related to the foster or adoptive parent.
  • There is reason to believe the child has a criminal history or a history of abusing or neglecting another child.
  • If this child visitor has lived outside of Texas in the past five years, see questions #1, #2, and #3.

DFPS also requires background checks for frequent adult visitors (aged 18 and older) to a CPS foster or adoptive home under the following circumstances:

  • The adult lives in the foster or adoptive home.
  • The adult is related to the foster or adoptive parent.
  • The adult has unsupervised access to the children in the foster or adoptive home, such as a babysitter.
  • There is reason to believe the adult has a criminal history or a history of abusing or neglecting a child.
  • If the adult visitor has lived outside of Texas in the past five years, see questions #1, #2, and #3.