When Can I Expect to Provide my Social Security Number for a Background Check?
When DFPS processes a background check on someone, we ask for that person's social security number to verify identity. Some examples of when a background check may be required are:
- You are a foster parent or want to become a foster parent (including in-state and out-of-state requests).
- You want to adopt a child (including in-state and out-of-state requests).
- You are a relative of a child in DFPS conservatorship, or are someone that is not related to the child but has a longstanding and significant relationship with the child or the child's family and would like the child to be placed in your home (including in-state and out-of-state requests).
- You are 14 years or older, not a client in DFPS care, and meet one of the following criteria:
- You live with a relative that is seeking placement of a child in DFPS conservatorship.
- You live with someone that is not related to the child in DFPS conservatorship but has a longstanding and significant relationship with the child or the child's family and is seeking placement of the child.
- Live with someone that is seeking to foster or adopt a child.
- You are looking for a job or a volunteer position with DFPS.
- You are going to work as a contractor with DFPS.
- You are being investigated for abuse, neglect, or exploitation in an investigation.
- You are the parent or guardian of a child who is in DFPS conservatorship.
By law, (Texas Human Resources Code § 42.056(a), Title 40, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 745, Subchapter F) you are required to provide your social security number for a background check if you are:
- 14 years or older and meet one of the following criteria:
- Live in a prospective adoptive or foster.
- Have unsupervised access to children in care at a foster home.
- Will regularly or frequently be staying or working at a foster home, or prospective adoptive home while children are being provided care.
For anyone else who submits to a background check, providing your social security number is voluntary. No law requires you to give your social security number for the purpose of a background check. But if you do not provide your social security number during a background check, your application or request may be denied.
Further disclosure of your social security number is governed by the Public Information Act (Chapter 552> of the Texas Government Code) and other applicable law.