6000 Central Registry Checks for the Public
Background Checks November 2026
The Texas Central Registry is maintained by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services as required by Texas Family Code §261.002.
The central registry contains names of individuals found by the department to have abused or neglected a child in which all records of child abuse and neglect investigations in Texas meet both of the following criteria:
- Child Protective Investigations (CPI), Child Care Investigations (CCI), or Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Provider Investigations gathered this information during an investigation of child abuse or neglect.
- Either of the following applies:
- The subject of the check has a role of designated perpetrator or sustained perpetrator in a case that received a disposition of Reason to Believe or Confirmed.
- The subject of the check is an alleged perpetrator in an open child abuse or neglect investigation.
It should be noted that an individual will not clear a central registry check if he or she has the role of an alleged perpetrator in an open child abuse or neglect investigation being conducted by DFPS.
Additionally, findings of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adult victims are not included in the central registry.
6100 Requesting a Central Registry Check
Background Checks November 2026
DFPS Background Checks staff complete central registry checks for the public. This policy does not apply to central registry checks made for the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) or Superior Health Plan (SHP). If the request is for a Texas child care operation or foster or adoption placement, see Texas Administrative Code §745.609.
6110 Who Can Submit a Request for a Central Registry Check
Background Checks November 2026
DFPS only allows the subject of the background check to request a central registry check on themselves. However, in certain situations, organizations are eligible for a Partner Organization account. These include:
- Other government agencies needing background checks for child placement.
- Organizations hiring employees to work in a group home, congregate care setting, residential treatment center, or shelter.
- Facilities that qualify under the Child Care, Day Care, or Head Start Employment in compliance with Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act of 2014.
- Child placement agencies for adoption and foster care.
- Child Custody Evaluators (CCE) with a signed court order from a Texas judge.
- The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
6120 Central Registry Checks for Prospective Foster/Adoptive Parents in Another State or Prospective Adoptive Parents Seeking Private Adoption
Background Checks November 2026
As provided under the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, central registry check requests must be submitted to the DFPS Background Checks program for prospective foster or adoptive parents who live outside of Texas or are seeking private adoption.
Out of State
If the subject of the background check is a prospective foster or adoptive parent who will be licensed by an authority in a state outside of Texas, the central registry check request may be submitted by one of the following:
- The individual.
- The Child Placing Agency.
- The authority in the state where the individual will be licensed.
Private Adoptions
Individuals completing a private adoption, such as an independent adoption arranged directly by the child’s birth parents or guardian and the adoptive parents or adoptive stepparents, must complete background check requirements, including central registry checks, as part of the adoptive home screening. Each central registry check request must be submitted by the subject of the check.
6130 Central Registry Checks for Employment with Day Cares or Head Starts not regulated by Child Care Licensing in Texas
Background Checks November 2026
As provided under the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 (CCDBG), central registry check requests must be submitted to the DFPS Background Checks program when the subject of the central registry check is a current or prospective employee of a Head Start program not regulated by Child Care Licensing (CCL) in Texas or a child day care in a state outside of Texas, and the subject of the background check has lived in Texas in the past five years.
The request may be submitted by the individual, the employer, or the authority in the state where the employer is licensed. For day cares and Head Start programs that are regulated by CCL, applicants need to follow the background check process as defined in Texas Administrative Code §746.1105(1).
6200 Central Registry Check Results
6210 Cleared Results
Background Checks November 2026
A clear result of a central registry check indicates that the subject of the background check does not have a role of designated, alleged, or sustained perpetrator in the central registry.
6220 Match Results
Background Checks November 2026
A match result of a central registry check indicates that the subject of the background check has the role of alleged, designated, or sustained perpetrator in an investigation included in the registry.
The result notification will indicate whether the subject of the background check is an alleged, designated, or sustained perpetrator as defined by the following:
- Texas Administrative Code §745.731.
- The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) program that made this determination.
- The case ID number.
The DFPS Background Checks program cannot provide the subject of the background check with specific information within the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services case record, including any details from the investigation that may have led to the determination that the subject of the background check was a perpetrator of abuse or neglect.
If the subject of the background check would like to obtain specific information regarding the case, he or she can request a copy of the case record. See Requesting a Copy of a Case Record on the DFPS website.
6230 Who Receives Central Registry Check Results
Background Checks November 2026
The subject of the background check may receive results and share them with any third party at his or her discretion. Additionally, if an agency is eligible for an organization account, that requester can receive the results in certain situations.
6300 Appealing Central Registry Check Results
Background Checks November 2026
If a central registry check results in a match, some individuals have the right to formally appeal this result in a due process hearing. A due process hearing is a formal, legal proceeding conducted by an administrative law judge at the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings.
The purpose of the hearing is to provide an impartial setting for the person affected by the agency’s decision or action to challenge the appropriateness of that decision or action. If the individual waives his or her right to appeal the DFPS decision, or the Administrative Law judge determines the finding was appropriate, the finding is then sustained.
In accordance with Texas Administrative Code §745.8835, a person may request a due process hearing regarding a central registry match only when the Public Texas Central Registry check is run for the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 or the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 mandates.
The DFPS Background Checks program determines if the subject of the background check is a designated, alleged, or sustained perpetrator because of any match. If the subject has a role of a designated perpetrator in a child protective investigation or an HHSC provider investigation, the subject will be notified by the Office of Appeals of their right to due process. If the designated perpetrator is a minor, the notification is provided to the parent or legal guardian.
Instagram