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Non-Departmental Adoptions

Criminal history and child abuse/neglect (CAN) registry checks are required for all prospective adoptive parents and adult members of their households. Only a biological parent retaining parental rights is exempt from submitting a criminal history background clearance. Per OAR 413 140 0065, CAN clearances are required for biological parents

  • For private agency adoptions and other independent adoptions that require a home study, the licensed adoption agency completing the home study assists in processing the required background checks.

  • For independent adoptions that require these background checks in connection with a request to waive the home study, the petitioner(s) must obtain the required criminal background checks. When applicable, the petitioner is also responsible for obtaining CAN registry checks from other states, countries or territories.  

    NOTE: A review of the Oregon CAN registry
    is automatically conducted by the department.

Required Background Check for Home Study Waivers

For a petitioner residing in Oregon:

Each adopting petitioner and all adult members of the petitioner’s household must provide documentation of the following:

  1. A criminal history check from the Oregon State Po​lice (Form 249g)​
  2. When petitioner has resided outside of Oregon for a period of more than 60 consecutive days in the last five years:

For a petitioner who is an Oregon resident, but temporarily residing (more than 60 consecutive days) outside of Oregon:

Each adopting petitioner and all adult members of the petitioner’s household must provide documentation of the following:

  1. A criminal history check from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and
  2. An authorized agency of the state, country or territory where the adopting petitioner currently resides and has lived in the preceding five years; and
  3. A Child Abuse/Neglect (CAN) Registry Check from an authorized agency of each state, country or territory where the adopting petitioner currently resides and has lived in the preceding five years.

For a petitioner who is not an Oregon resident:

Each adopting petitioner and all adult members of the petitioner’s household must provide documentation of the following:

  1. A criminal history check from the petitioner's current state of residence;
  2. A criminal history check from​ the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and
  3. A Child Abuse/Neglect (CAN) Registry Check​ from an authorized agency of each state, country or territory where the individual has lived in the preceding five years.