The overall background check process includes a check of any applicable out of state registries if the applicant has lived in another state during the last (5) years. Please see the instructions for completing the out of state registry check portion of the background check process below.
If an applicant for child care employment has lived in another state during the last five (5) years select the state(s) from the tabs at the top of the box with the corresponding first letter of the state for which you are searching and follow the instructions for each state in which the individual has lived. Submit the forms as instructed along with any required documentation. Each form may have different requirements. Most forms require a signature. Others may require a witness, original signatures, notarization, and some require a copy of the applicant's photo identification.
After the applicant has completed all applicable out of state forms, they are to send them - along with their completed Child Care Fingerprint Sample Registration/Criminal/Juvenile History & State Registry Review Disclosure form - to the Nashville Department of Human Services office. Note that California requires the applicant to send their completed California form directly to California. In this case, the applicant is also required to submit to the Nashville Department of Human Services office a copy of the California-addressed envelope in which the applicant mailed the California form to California as proof that the applicant mailed this form to California. Unless directions specify an original form is required, each applicant’s forms should be submitted to our office, together, by email: ccbackground.dhs@tn.gov or fax: 615-532-9956. Applicant’s having state forms that are required to be original should mail all of their paperwork to:
Tennessee Department of Human Services
Attn: OIG - Background Unit
James K. Polk Building, 15th Floor
505 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN 37243
The state of Tennessee covers all fees for Tennessee Department of Human Services fingerprinting and all out of state background checks that require a fee.
Commonly Used Acronyms
CAN = Child Abuse and Neglect Registry
N/A = Not Applicable
TBD = To Be Determined
VPR = Vulnerable Persons Registry (or equivalent)
Each state is categorized in alphabetical order in the box below. Please select a state(s) from the tabs at the top of the box with the corresponding first letter of the state(s) for which you are searching. Please be sure to read all information regarding your selected state as information can vary between states. Some states may return forms unprocessed if information is missing or unreadable. In addition to any required forms for other states, each applicant must submit a Child Care Criminal/Juvenile History & State Registry Review Disclosure Form.
Important Note: ONLY SEND FORMS WITH PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION USING A SECURE METHOD.
As the volume of registry check requests to other states increases, other states may change their process/forms to better accommodate those requests. Therefore, we will update this information as needed to reflect any changes in the process. If you require additional information about the background check process, you can contact us via the dedicated phone line at: (615) 253-4170.