What Clearances are Needed in an Adoption

When approaching the adoption process, it is important to know what background information will be required. Each state has a pre-adoptive placement process that results in a written report on the fitness of the prospective family, often called a Home Study Report or a Family Profile. This process may include interviews, training, home assessments for safety, verifying information, and background clearances. States often require background clearance for the family and anyone living in their home to check their state criminal record, child abuse record, and FBI record, depending on their age. Clearances may also be required even if a Home Study is not required, such as in a step-parent adoption. Learn more about the adoption process here and legal aspects here.

In Pennsylvania, prospective adoptive families are required to have three clearances dated within one year of placement and finalization: PA State Criminal Clearance, PA Child Abuse Clearance, and PA FBI Clearance. The total cost for all three clearances is $60.25, and may take several weeks to get all clearances, though all should be available electronically. If you lived out of state in the last five years, you will also need to apply for a Child Abuse Clearance from the prior state(s) of residence. Details on how and where to get the clearances, the cost, and the specific process are outlined below.

PA STATE CRIMINAL CLEARANCE.

The PA State Criminal Clearance can be completed online and is automatically available to download as a PDF. The cost is $22.00 per clearance. Go to the PA State Police here. Complete the information for who is requesting the clearance and who the clearance is for. You will need the name, aliases, social security number, and date of birth. Add in your queue all of the clearances you will need. Once you complete ordering the clearance(s), you will see a page that looks like an invoice or receipt. Make sure to click on the actual clearance link. This will take you to a web page where you can hit “print” and “save as pdf” to create a pdf of the Criminal Clearance. Save this as a PDF right away. You will only be able to log back into this page for a short period after the clearance is requested, after which you will have to reapply once it is no longer available. The invoice/receipt page of the clearance is not sufficient, the actual clearance is required. More details on how to apply for your PA Criminal Clearance are here.

PA CHILD ABUSE CLEARANCE.

The PA Child Abuse Clearance can be applied for online and will be available as a PDF. The cost is $13.00 per clearance. Visit the Child Welfare Portal and complete the prompts to submit for your clearance. After the application is submitted, you will receive an email, usually within 1-2 weeks, which states the clearance is available. Follow the prompt to your Child Abuse Clearance and save this as a PDF right away. Like the criminal clearance, you will only be able to log back into this page for a short period after the clearance is requested, after which you will have to reapply once it is no longer available. More details on how to apply for your PA Child Abuse Clearance are here.

PA FBI CLEARANCE.

The PA FBI Clearance must be registered for online and you have to be fingerprinted in person. The cost is $25.25 per clearance. You will need to register and pay online and be fingerprinted at an onsite location. If there is no record found, the clearance may be available to you by email to download as a PDF. To schedule your fingerprint appointment, go to Identogo and register. You must enter the specific code for the type of clearance you will need. The Codes can be found here, and the Prospective Adoptive Parent Code is “1KG72V”, with details here. If there are no available appointments in your timeframe, you should be able to walk-in at most locations. Don’t forget to bring identification and the registration information. More details on how to apply for your PA FBI Clearance are here.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS.

ALL clearances expire every year. Set a calendar reminder for a month before expiration to remind yourself or your clients of the expiring clearances. Expired clearances can impact families getting home through interstate adoptions or delay finalizing an adoption.

If you have lived outside of Pennsylvania in the last 5 years, you will also need to retrieve a child abuse clearance from the other state(s). If the out of state clearance shows a result or record, it must be submitted to DHS for interpretation. Learn more about PA requirements for out-of-state clearances here.
Children and other adults living in the home over 18 require all three clearances.
All children in the home above the age of 14 require criminal and child abuse clearance, but not FBI clearance.
Up-to-date clearances are required for any interstate adoption placement. Do not travel to another state for your adoption without making sure you have your clearances.
Details on each state’s clearance requirements can be found on ICPC State Pages here.

For more information, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services outlines the required clearances here. PA provides this guide sheet FAQs on for Foster/Adoptive Parents & Household Members for families and adoption professionals as well that can be distributed. If you are interested in learning more and working together, please contact us here. As adoption law is state-specific, if you are interested in learning more about adoption options in your state, contact an attorney from the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproductive Attorneys here.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.