The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act requires states to check any child abuse and neglect registry on any prospective foster and adoptive parent and other adults living in a prospective foster and adoptive parent's home.  The Michigan Child Protection Law (MCL 722.625 & 722.627-722.627j for release of information) also allows specific entities and individuals to obtain Children's Protective Services (CPS) case record information, including central registry information. The four sections below outline how central registry clearances can be requested in Michigan.

Confidentiality of Central Registry Information

Central registry information is confidential; therefore, by law, DHS cannot provide this information to anyone other than those listed in the Child Protection Law (MCL 722.627-722.627j). In addition, any information released under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act must not be used for any other purpose.

Section I. Out-of-State Adoption and Foster Home Screening
Section II. Michigan Residents Requesting Information on Themselves 
Section III. Non-Michigan Residents Requesting Information on Themselves 
Section IV. Other Out-of-State Entities 
Section V. Employers and Volunteer Agencies

Section I. Out-of-State Adoption and Foster Home Screening 

Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing will conduct central registry clearances for out-of-state agencies for the following purposes:

1) Licensing foster homes.
2) Adoption screening.

All requests must come from the child placing agency working with the foster or adoptive applicant. The request must be in writing on the requester's letterhead stating the reason for the request (e.g., foster home licensing, adoptive placement, etc.) and must include all of the following:

1) Name and title of individual requesting the information.
2) Contact information (e.g., phone and fax numbers, address, etc.).
3) The following information on individuals for which central registry clearance is being requested:

- Name(s) of individuals.
- Any previous names.
- Date of birth.
- Social Security number.

Mail or fax all requests to:

Department of Human Services
Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing
7109 W. Saginaw, 2^nd Floor
P.O. Box 30650
Lansing MI 48909-8150
Fax Number: (517) 335-6121
Contact Phone: (517) 373-8383

Section II. Michigan Residents Requesting Information on Themselves

Individuals requesting a central registry clearance on themselves who are Michigan residents should complete the Request for Central Registry Clearance (DHS-194) form.  Mail or take the completed DHS-194 to the DHS office in the county (county directory). To pick up the results in person, the individual must present picture identification. To have the results mailed, a copy of the individual's picture identification must be provided with the DHS-194. (Note: Results will only be mailed to the address on the picture identification.)

If the subject of the inquiry is NOT listed on central registry and provides written consent on the DHS-194, a copy of the results of the central registry clearance can also be sent directly to any of the following for the individual:

• Employer.
• Potential employer.
• Agency for which the individual is volunteering or applying to volunteer.

Non-Michigan residents, see Section III.

Section III. Non-Michigan Residents Requesting Information on Themselves 

Individuals requesting a central registry clearance on themselves who are not residents of Michigan should complete the Request for Central Registry Clearance (DHS-194) form and mail or fax it to the address/fax below. Or they can make their request in writing.  All requests must include the following information:

- Name.
- Any previous names.
- Date of birth.
- Social Security number.
- Enlarged copy of picture identification with current address. (Note: Results will only be mailed to the address on the picture identification.)

Mail or fax requests to:

Michigan Department of Human Services
Children's Protective Services Program
P.O. Box 30037
235 South Grand Ave., Suite 510
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Fax: (517) 241-7047
Phone: (517) 335-3704

A form letter (DHS-1910) will be sent within ten (10) working days in response indicating whether or not the subject of the inquiry is on the central registry.

If the individual is NOT listed on central registry and provides written consent, a copy of the results of the central registry clearance can also be sent directly to any of the following for the individual:

• Employer.
• Potential employer.
• Agency for which the individual is volunteering or applying to volunteer.

Note:  Non-Michigan residents can take the completed DHS-194 to the local DHS office for processing if they want to pick up the results in person. See Section II.  

Section IV. Other Out-of-State Entities 

Children's Protective Services Program Office will conduct central registry clearances for any of the following out-of-state entities:

1) Law enforcement agencies conducting a child abuse/neglect investigation.
2) Child welfare agencies conducting a child abuse/neglect investigation.
3) Child (day) care licensing agency. 
4) Physician who is treating a child whom the physician suspects may be abused or neglected.
5) Court or grand jury that determines the information is necessary to decide an issue before the court or grand jury.
6) Fatality review team, citizen review panel, or foster care review board for the purposes of meeting the requirements and carrying out the duties of the group.
7) Agency charged with completing child custody/parenting time matters for divorced, separated, or unwed parents (e.g., Friend of the Court, etc.).
8) Lawyer-guardian ad litem or other attorney for the child or parent(s).
9) A person/entity legally authorized to place a child in protective custody when the person/entity is confronted with a child whom the person/entity reasonably suspects may be abused or neglected and the information is necessary to determine whether to place the child in protective custody.

Out-of-state entities requesting a central registry clearances for the above (1-9) reasons must complete the Out-of-State Central Registry Clearance (DHS-1286) form. NOTE: Any in-state entities requesting a central registry clearance for the above reasons must contact the DHS office in their county (county directory).

Mail or fax all requests:

Michigan Department of Human Services
Children's Protective Services Program
P.O. Box 30037
235 South Grand Ave., Suite 510
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Fax: (517) 241-7047
Phone: (517) 335-3704

A response will be sent within ten (10) working days indicating whether or not the subject of the inquiry is on the central registry.

Section V. Employers and Volunteer Agencies

The Child Protection Law allows employers and volunteer agencies to request central registry clearances on individuals who are:

• Employees.
• Potential employees.
• Volunteers.
• Potential volunteers.

If the individual is NOT  on central registry, the results can be mailed directly to the employer or volunteer agency. If the individual is listed on central registry, the results must not be sent to the employer or volunteer agency, but to the individual.

The confidentiality of central registry information is protected by Sections 7 through 7j of the Child Protection Law (MCL 722.627-722.627j). Anyone who violates this protection is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be civilly liable for damages.

Michigan Employers and Volunteer Agencies

Employers and volunteer agencies requesting a central registry clearance on an employee/volunteer or potential employee/volunteer must complete the Employer and Volunteer Agency Central Registry Clearance (DHS-640) form. Each employee/volunteer or potential employee/volunteer must sign this form indicating that they are aware of the central registry clearance request. A copy of the picture identification for each employee/volunteer or potential employee/volunteer must be included with the request. Mail or take the completed DHS-640 to the DHS office in the county (county directory).

A response will be sent within ten (10) working days. 

Out-of-State Employers and Volunteer Agencies

Out-of-state employers and volunteer agencies requesting a central registry clearance on an employee/volunteer or potential employee/volunteer must complete the Employer and Volunteer Agency Central Registry Clearance (DHS-640) form. Each employee/volunteer or potential employee/volunteer must sign this form indicating that they are aware of the central registry clearance request. A copy of the picture identification for each employee/volunteer or potential employee/volunteer must be included with the request.

Mail or fax all requests to:

Michigan Department of Human Services
Children's Protective Services Program
PO Box 30037
Lansing, MI 48909
Fax: (517) 241-7047
Phone: (517) 335-3704.

A response will be sent within ten (10) working days.