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Under §37.2-416 of the Code of Virginia, every DBHDS-licensed provider shall require any applicant who accepts employment in a direct consumer care position (or supervises a direct consumer care position) to undergo fingerprinting and a criminal background check.  Private providers who are in the process of being licensed by the DBHDS, and have been notified by letter that they have completed Phase I requirements, may then register with the Background Investigations Unit. 

Only after a provider has completed all phases of licensing, and been notified in writing to contact the assigned licensing specialist, can the provider request background investigations.  Providers may request a Fingerprint Criminal Background Check or if appropriate, a Name and Sex Offender Search.  In the sections below, licensed providers will learn how to request each service.  Providers are advised to learn about, download and print the full set of procedures.

Under §37.2-408.1 (§63.2-1726), every DBHDS-licensed or operated Children's Residential facility is required to conduct fingerprint-based criminal history and Central Registry checks for all employees, students, interns, volunteers and contractors.  The results of these background checks must be received prior to permitting an applicant to work.  Background checks are conducted by the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS), Office of Background Investigations (OBI).  Go to DSS OBI for access to background checks and information specific to Children's Residential facilities.

All DBHDS-licensed providers (Adult and Children's) are required to initiate checks of child abuse and neglect for applicants through the Virginia Department of Social Services Central Registry. Obtain the required Central Registry form from the DSS Web site or contact Ms. Betty Whittaker.

• Contact Information
• How to Register
• Request Fingerprint Criminal Background Check
• Request Name and Sex Offender Search
• What you need to know:
  • Forms & Attachments
  • Helpful Information
  • Procedures for Conducting Background Investigations on Employees of Private Providers  Revised!
  • Tools

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A letter of notification is sent by the DBHDS to providers who have completed Phase I requirements for licensing.  Once a provider has received this letter, he may register with the Background Investigations Unit.

Here is how to register:

1. Save these two registration forms to your computer: # 001 and # 002. 
2. Fill in the registration forms on your computer.
3. Print the completed forms.
4. Fax the completed forms to Malinda Roberts, Background Investigations Unit, Fax number: (804) 692-0060.

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Providers must be registered with the DBHDS Background Investigations Unit prior to requesting a Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.  You may request to be sent blank fingerprint cards. 

Include the following in your request for a Fingerprint Criminal Background Check:

1. Organization check or money order in the amount of $50.00
2. Make the check or money order out to " Treasurer of Virginia"
3. Checklist (Form #003)
4. Attachments # 3 and # 5  ~ stapled together in order
5. One fingerprint card  ~ paper clipped to corresponding applicant's attachments

Mail the completed documents to this address:

        DBHDS
        Background Investigations Unit
        P.O. Box 1797
        Richmond, VA 23218-1797

If you need more information about the Fingerprint Criminal Background Check, please click here for helpful information.   

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Providers must be registered with the DBHDS Background Investigations Unit prior to requesting a Name and Sex Offender Search. 

Include the following in your request for a Name and Sex Offender Search:

1. Organization check or money order in the amount of $25.00
2. Make the check or money order out to "Treasurer of Virginia"
3. Form BIUSP-167 ~ completed by the individual, provider and notary public

Mail the completed documents to this address:

        DBHDS
        Background Investigations Unit
        P.O. Box 1797
        Richmond, VA 23218-1797

If you need more information about the Name and Sex Offender Search, please click here to see helpful information.   

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Background investigations are an important safety precaution for providers of direct care to consumers. The first step in requesting services is to register with the Background Investigations Unit.  Registration forms can be found in the Initial Registration section or in the Forms section below.

All forms are Word documents that you may save to your computer, key in your information and print.  If you get a login box while closing a Word document, please click on the [X] in the upper right hand corner of the box. 

When you make a background investigation request, please closely follow instructions to keep the completed documents in the order specified and mail as a packet.  The Department can only accept a check or money order made out to the Treasurer of Virginia.

Below you will find forms, attachments and other useful tools that you may download or print and use.  If you have any questions after thoroughly reviewing the information on this page, please click on the subject of your choice – Fingerprint Criminal Background Check or Name and Sex Offender Search – to send an email; or telephone (804) 786-6384.

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• Initial Registration forms:
  • Form #001 ~ DBHDS’ Licensed Providers Contact & Information Sheet
  • Form #002 ~ Statement of Authorization of Payment to DBHDS
• Form BIUSP-167 ~ Criminal History Record Name & Sex Offender Search Request 
• Form #003 ~ Criminal Background Investigation Request Checklist
• Form #005 ~ Fingerprint Card Request Form

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• Attachment 2 ~ “Barrier Crimes”
• Attachment 3 ~ Disclosure Statement
• Attachment 4 ~ Authority for Release of Information
• Attachment 5 ~ Request for Criminal Background Check
• Attachment 8 ~ Applicant’s Rights
• Attachment 10a ~ Applicant's rights and procedures for Challenging FBI Results
• Attachment 10b ~ Sample Letter: "Challenging FBI Checks"  
• Attachment 11 ~ “Applicant Arrest/Conviction Data”
• Attachment 12, Part I ~ Private Provider Request to Discontinue Reprints

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• Fingerprint Card Template
• Attachment 7 ~ Race, Eye & Hair Color Codes

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