Criminal Background Checks
Adoption
Three forms are required for fingerprint-based criminal background checks for adoptive parents and all adults living in an adoptive home. PLEASE NOTE: Not all forms are compatible with Mac programs.
INSTRUCTIONS: How to Complete Forms and Submit a Fingerprint-based Criminal Background Check
- You may need to download Adobe Reader DC at https://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/ to access forms.
- To download forms using Google Chrome, follow these setting adjustments:
FORM 1 - Personal Authorization for Criminal History Record Information Inquiry (SFN 829) THIS FORM MUST BE TYPED
FORM 2 - Criminal History Record Check Request Form (SFN 60688) OR Adoption Home Assessment Update (BCI only - SFN 60688) THIS FORM MUST BE TYPED; SIGNATURE MUST BE HANDWRITTEN.
FORM 3 - Fingerprint Identity Verification (SFN 836) PRINT BLANK FORM (This form is not required for home assessment updates)
All fees for adoption background checks must be paid by the applicant, to include any fees assessed by other states or tribal court/child welfare agencies. All fees must be paid with a check or money order payable to ND Department of Human Services (ND DHS). Current background check fee is $41.25. Spirit Lake Nation - $25, Standing Rock Sioux - $25, Three Affiliated Tribes $10, Turtle Mountain Band Chippewa - $10, Sisseton-Wahpeton - $20.
If you have lived outside of North Dakota during the past five years, click on each state you have lived in (below) to see if you need to:
- Complete additional out-of-state authorization forms for each state you have lived in,
- Provide a copy of a valid photo ID or a copy of your social security card, and/or
- Provide an extra set of fingerprint cards (must obtained from a law enforcement agency or an authorized third-party fingerprinting agency)
If any of the above are required, they must be mailed to the Bismarck office – DO NOT send anything directly to other states.
Select from the list below. PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY!
Alabama
The signature on the form below must be witnessed.
- Child Protective Services form (61kb pdf)
Alaska
- Child Protective Services form (121kb pdf)
Arizona
- Child Protective Services form (247kb pdf)
Arkansas
The signature on the form below must be notarized.
- Child Protective Services form (44kb pdf)
California
- $15 processing fee (make payable to ND DHS)
- No forms are required.
Colorado
The form below must be typed. Enter all children on the form. If you do not have any children, enter N/A.
- $35 processing fee (make payable to ND DHS)
- Child Protective Services form
Connecticut
- Child Protective Services form (21kb pdf)
Delaware
- Child Protective Services form (54kb pdf)
Florida
- Child Protective Services form (36kb pdf)
Georgia
- No forms are required.
Hawaii
- Child Protective Services form (24kb pdf)
Idaho
The signature on the form below must be notarized.
- $20 processing fee (make payable to ND DHS)
- Child Protective Services form (2.61mb pdf)
Illinois
- Child Protective Services form (415kb pdf)
Indiana
- Online form required. You will receive email instructions upon the department initiating a registry search.
Iowa
- No forms are required.
Kansas
- Child Protective Services form (1016kb pdf)
Kentucky
- No forms are required.
Louisiana
The form below requires a photo ID.
- Child Protective Services form (1.15mb pdf)
Maine
Complete only if you are 18 yrs old or older. This form CANNOT BE TYPED. In addition, add $15 processing fee (make checks payable to ND DHS) to adoption and guardianship.
- Child Protective Services form (130kb pdf)
Maryland
The form below must be typed. The signature must be notarized.
- Child Protective Services form (215kb pdf)
Massachusetts
- No forms are required.
Michigan
- Child Protective Services form (79kb pdf)
Minnesota
- $20 processing fee (make payable to ND DHS)
- Child Protective Services form (242kb pdf)
Mississippi
- Online form required. You will receive email instructions upon the department initiating a registry search.
Missouri
- Child Protective Services form (298kb pdf)
Montana
The signature on the form below must be notarized.
- Child Protective Services form (74kb pdf)
Nebraska
The signature on the form below must be notarized. If the applicant is not 20 years old or older, the applicant's parent or guardian must sign the form.
- $2.50 processing fee (make payable to ND DHS)
- Child Protective Services form (168kb pdf)
Nevada
The form below requires a photo ID.
- Child Protective Services form (54kb pdf)
New Hampshire
The signature on the form below must be notarized.
- Child Protective Services form (33kb pdf)
New Jersey
- Child Protective Services form (90kb pdf)
New Mexico
The form below must be typed. The signature must be notarized.
- Child Protective Services form (1mb pdf)
New York
The signature on the form below must be notarized.
- Child Protective Services form (84kb pdf)
North Carolina
- Child Protective Services form (893kb pdf)
Ohio
The form below must be typed. It requires a copy of a valid photo ID and a copy of the applicant's social security card. Results will be mailed to the applicant. The applicant must forward them to the Criminal Background Check Unit in Bismarck.
- Child Protective Services form (138kb pdf)
Oklahoma
- Does not maintain a public registry.
Oregon
The form below must be typed.
- Child Protective Services form (837kb Word docm)
Pennsylvania
- $13 processing fee (make payable to ND DHS)
- Child Protective Services form
Rhode Island
- No forms are required.
South Carolina
The signature on the form below must be notarized.
- $8 processing fee (make payable to ND DHS)
- Child Protective Services form (446kb pdf)
South Dakota
The signature on the form below must be notarized.
- Child Protective Services form (81kb pdf)
Tennessee
- No forms are required.
Texas
The signature on the form below must be notarized.
- Child Protective Services form (509kb pdf)
Utah
The form below requires a photo ID.
- Child Protective Services form (1.17mb pdf)
Vermont
- No forms are required.
Virginia
The signature on the form below must be notarized. The form must be printed 2-SIDED (on one sheet of paper).
- $10 processing fee (make payable to ND DHS)
- Child Protective Services form (174kb pdf)
Washington
The form below must be typed.
- $20 processing fee (make payable to ND DHS)
- Child Protective Services form (166kb pdf)
Washington, D.C./District of Columbia
The signature on the form below must be notarized. The form requires full 18 years of address history.
- Child Protective Services form (494kb pdf)
West Virginia
- Child Protective Services form (1mb pdf)
Wisconsin
The form below is only required if you lived in Milwaukee County. The signature must be witnessed.
- Child Protective Services form (38kb pdf)
Wyoming
- Child Protective Services form (973kb pdf)
Contact Information
Children and Family Services
600 East Boulevard Avenue, Department 325
Bismarck ND 58505-0250
Phone: (701) 328-2316
Toll Free: (800) 245-3736
711 (TTY)
Fax: (701) 328-0358
Email: dhscfscbc@nd.gov
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