Child Protection Register (CPR)
As of April 1, 2020, CFSA has transitioned to a fully electronic process for Child Protection Register clearance requests. No hand-delivered, mailed or faxed applications will be accepted. Forms are no longer required to be notarized. Instead, please submit a color copy of a government-issued photo ID (front only).
Download and Submit a CPR Application Form and Photo ID
The DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) has updated the CPR clearance application form. It is a fillable form which can be downloaded and typed into. When the form is downloaded, please name the file with the applicant’s first and last name and the submission date like this: Jane-Doe-app-10-01-2021.
Upload and submit the application through a secure, online portal at the correct link below:
- Click here to submit a NEW/FIRST TIME application for EMPLOYMENT (new employee, contractor, intern or volunteer)
- Click here to submit a RENEWAL application for EMPLOYMENT (current employee, contractor, intern or volunteer)
- Click here to submit an application for CHILD WELFARE (e.g., adoption, foster care, court)
- Click here to submit an application for any OTHER purpose (e.g., a self-check, investigation)
- DC Public Schools (DCPS) employees, contractors and volunteers should follow DCPS instructions for submission of clearance applications
For Questions or CPR Application Status Requests
Please contact the CPR main number 202-727-8885 during business hours or email [email protected]. Calls and emails will be monitored and responded to within 24 hours or the next business day.
Background Checks in General
The Child Protection Register (CPR) is one part of the background check process. There are four primary background checks that are done for foster and adoptive parents, childcare providers and others caring for or working with children:
- Criminal: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) which includes criminal records from all 50 states
- Criminal: The National Sex Offender Registry, also known as Adam Walsh, which is included in the FBI check
- Criminal: The Local Police Department
- Civil: The Child Protection Register (CPR) which is a non-criminal record check to see if an individual has been substantiated for the abuse or neglect of a child
The CPR is a confidential database of people known or strongly suspected to have abused or neglected children in DC. At the close of an investigation of child abuse/neglect, CFSA must enter names into the CPR based on either of the following findings:
- Substantiated: A report which is supported by credible evidence that a child was abused or neglected and the person in question was the maltreator.
- Inconclusive: A report which is supported by credible evidence that a child was abused or neglected but the person in question cannot be proven to be the maltreator.
- Unfounded: A report which has no basis in fact, was made maliciously or in bad faith, or for which the person in question was not the maltreator.
Check a Person Under Investigation in Another Jurisdiction
As a child welfare agency in another jurisdiction, you may need to ask CFSA for information about people you are investigating for child abuse/neglect. If the person previously lived or worked in DC, follow these steps.
- Write a letter of request on your agency letterhead. Include the full name, birth date, social security number, and any former addresses in DC for the person to be checked. Include the name, title, email address and telephone number of the requesting official.
- Click here to submit a CPR check request letter for an individual under investigation.
- Contact the DC Child Protection Register Unit, at (202) 727-8885 or [email protected], if you have any questions.
- CFSA will provide a verbal report within 24 hours. Within five days, you will get a written report of the family's history with the District child welfare system since 1999.