Adam Walsh Requirements

Adam Walsh Private Agency Requirements

The Washington State Patrol Criminal Records Division has received several calls from law enforcement agencies and private attorneys requesting procedures for private adoption federal background checks for compliance with the new Adam Walsh Act. Below please find the FBI-approved procedures for private adoption agencies who wish to conduct federal background checks for this purpose.

The procedures that private agencies will follow are:

The agency would conduct the state check on their client if they chose to either by name/date of birth (Washington Access to Criminal History, WATCH) or by fingerprints.
The agency would prepare a packet for their client that includes:
- The FBI's authorization to release form (attached)--click here to open;
- A blank fingerprint card (which can be obtained from the FBI’s website, www.FBI.gov by downloading and printing an FD-258 fingerprint card);
- A pre-addressed stamped FBI envelope for mailing that includes the wording "ADOPTION" on the outside of the mailing envelope and courier services, so they can be pulled and processed quicker by the FBI;
- Money order for FBI fee, instructions and possibly a list of law enforcement agencies that provide fingerprinting services.
The client would complete the "Authorization For Release of Information" form and have it notarized. A suggestion to the agency is to add their return mailing address to the "Authorization For Release of Information" form.
The client would have their fingerprints rolled at a local law enforcement agency (LEA) or at the Washington State Patrol Criminal Records Division office. The LEA would mail the fingerprint card, form, and money order to the FBI for their client.

Local law enforcement agencies may require additional information to complete the fingerprinting process.


Adam Walsh Private Agency Requirements The Washington State Patrol Criminal Records Division has received several calls from law enforcement agencies and private attorneys requesting procedures for private adoption federal background checks for compliance with the new Adam Walsh Act. Below please find the FBI-approved procedures for private adoption agencies who wish to conduct federal background checks for this purpose. The procedures that private agencies will follow are: The agency would conduct the state check on their client if they chose to either by name/date of birth (Washington Access to Criminal History, WATCH) or by fingerprints. The agency would prepare a packet for their client that includes: The FBI's authorization to release form (attached)--click here to open; A blank fingerprint card (which can be obtained from the FBI’s website, www.FBI.gov by downloading and printing an FD-258 fingerprint card); A pre-addressed stamped FBI envelope for mailing that includes the wording "ADOPTION" on the outside of the mailing envelope and courier services, so they can be pulled and processed quicker by the FBI; Money order for FBI fee, instructions and possibly a list of law enforcement agencies that provide fingerprinting services. The client would complete the "Authorization For Release of Information" form and have it notarized. A suggestion to the agency is to add their return mailing address to the "Authorization For Release of Information" form. The client would have their fingerprints rolled at a local law enforcement agency (LEA) or at the Washington State Patrol Criminal Records Division office. The LEA would mail the fingerprint card, form, and money order to the FBI for their client. Local law enforcement agencies may require additional information to complete the fingerprinting process.
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