Child Abuse Registry
DFCS works to ensure the safety and protection of all Georgia’s children. To this end, Georgia Senate Bill 138, Section 11, was codified as Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) §49-5-182, and requires DFCS to establish and maintain a registry of all substantiated cases of abuse and neglect that occur on or after July 1, 2016, into a centralized Child Protective Services Information System titled the Child Abuse Registry. DFCS is dedicated to entering the names of all mal-treaters with a substantiated case of child abuse and/or neglect on or after July 1, 2016, into the Child Abuse Registry. A Child Abuse Registry screening request may be submitted by the following:
- An individual who wants to check the Child Abuse Registry to find out whether or not his or her name is listed (a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID is required).
- A state government agency which licenses entities that have interactions with children or are responsible for providing care for children (information provided for purposes of the licensing of a specific individual or entity).
- A state government agency which licenses entities that have interactions with children or are responsible for providing care for children (information provided for purposes of the employment of a specific individual).
- Licensed entities in Georgia that interact with children or are responsible for providing care for children (information provided for purposes of the employment of a specific individual).
- A state government agency of any state which licenses entities that have interactions with children or are responsible for providing care for children (information provided for purposes of the licensing of a specific individual or entity).
- A state government agency of any state which licenses entities that have interactions with children or are responsible for providing care for children (information provided for purposes of the employment of a specific individual).
- A Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) (solely for the purpose of screening and selecting an individual to serve as a CASA, for employment, and for volunteers for the CASA Program).
Benefits associated with the implementation of the Child Abuse Registry:
- Promotes a more efficient method of sharing child abuse information with other states, as required by law.
- Serves as a central repository where investigated and substantiated child abuse and neglected reports are stored and maintained.
- Complies with State of Georgia laws and regulations.
- Complies with DFCS Child Welfare policy and practices.
Under Georgia law, there is no direct method by which a private child welfare agency can obtain CPS information for private foster and adoptive families.
Child Protective Services History Request georgiaadamwalshcheck@dhs.ga.gov.
Child Abuse Registry – Child Protective Services Information System (CPSIS): https://gacar.dhs.ga.gov/
OUT OF STATE CPS INQUIRIES:
A Child Protective Service (CPS) Screening Request may be submitted by the following:
- Private or International Adoption Agency:
If an adoption petition has been filed with superior court: Submit the purpose of request on agency letterhead, and a copy of the court order which states there is a pending adoption
Submit Screening Request Form - Law Enforcement or CPS Investigators:
Submit the purpose of request on agency letterhead, along with a signed release of information for each individual to be screened
Submit Screening Request Form - State Agencies:
Submit the purpose of request on agency letterhead, along with a signed CPS application for each individual to be screened
Submit Screening Request Form
Child Protective Services History
Child Protective Services (CPS) historical information remains in the Georgia SHINES Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System. Obtaining information from this system is governed by O.C.G.A. § Section 49-5-41, which requires DFCS to share information with local, state or federal governmental entities that are performing their obligation to protect children from abuse and/or neglect.
Child Protective Services History Requests are provided to the following:
- A state/tribal child welfare agency or governmental entity that submits a request on agency letterhead to include all identifying information for the individual to be screened.
- An investigator appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction in this state (e.g., Superior Court of a Georgia County) to investigate a pending petition for adoption.
Under state law, there is no direct method by which a private child welfare agency can obtain CPS information for private foster and adoptive families. CPS History Requests can be made by contacting georgiaadamwalshcheck@dhs.ga.gov. The Child Abuse Registry can be accessed by visiting https://gacar.dhs.ga.gov/.