by Unwirklich VinZant

Created on: November 22, 2010

Any victim of identity theft can tell you having the paperwork to prove you are who you say you are, doesn’t necessarily mean you are that person or that you're being entirely honest about what you've done as a person. This makes the reason why finger printing is required in most adoptions pretty cut and dry, to ensure you are who you say you are and that you meet the requirements to adopt a child.

Who has to be finger printed for an adoption?

Finger printing is required in all international adoptions and the majority of domestic adoptions during the background check process. All members of the adoptive parents’ household over the age of 18 must be fingerprinted even if they are not applying to adopt the child. For example, if you have an individual over 18 renting a room from your house, even this person would have to be finger printed.

How does finger printing for adoption work?

The FBI will only accept finger prints taken at USCIS offices, Application Support Centers, and US consular offices or military installations outside of the United States to complete finger print background checks.  There is a 70 dollar fee per person and finger printing checks are good for 15 months. If you fail to be approved within 15 months of your check, you must be re-finger printed. Your finger prints will be run through a crime database as well as checked against the finger prints on file for your name if any exist.

What if I don’t pass my finger print check?

Certain criminal activity can disqualify you from being an adoptive parent.  Having an individual in your home with certain criminal charges may require you show proof they no longer inhabit your home (such as sexual assault on a minor). Not all offenses will cause trouble with your adoption. You do not need a spotless criminal record to adopt. Your local adoption agency or attorney will advise you on how to proceed if you fail to pass a finger print background check.

To summarize finger prints are taken during the adoption process to ensure the safety of the child and verify the identify 100% of the person applying to adopt that child. Finger printing will also hasten the background check process and improve your chances of being approved as an adoptive parent. In most cases finger printing takes no longer than a basic back ground check and is nothing to worry about.

Citation:

All about adoption finger printing

http://www.internationaladoptionhelp.com/internation al_adoption/international_adoption_fingerprinting.ht m

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