Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card Arizona: What Adoptive Parents Need to Know

Every adult in your household needs a Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card before your Arizona adoption can move forward. It's not a formality — without it, your home study stalls, and everything else in the process grinds to a halt. Here's how to get it right the first time.

What the Level 1 Card Actually Is

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) issues Fingerprint Clearance Cards as proof that you've passed a comprehensive criminal history background check. For adoption certification under ARS § 8-105, the Level 1 card is the required standard. "Level 1" means the check covers both state criminal records and federal FBI records — it's more thorough than a standard employment clearance.

There are two types within Level 1: the IVP card (Identity Verified Print) and the Non-IVP card. Confirm the accepted card type with current DPS instructions and with the agency or DCS specialist handling your certification. Using an unaccepted card type can delay a home study.

Who Must Be Cleared

Not just the petitioners. Arizona requires clearance for every person aged 18 or older who lives in the home. That includes:

• Both spouses in a two-parent household
• Adult children living in the home
• Any other adults in regular residence

Your certifying agency will verify each household member's card before proceeding. If even one card is missing or expired, the entire home study is paused. Start this process for all household members simultaneously — don't wait for one to complete before starting the next.

Step-by-Step: How to Get the Card

Step 1: Create an account on the DPS Public Services Portal (psp.azdps.gov). This is where you submit your application, pay the fee, and track card status. The portal is separate from the general DPS website — search for "psp.azdps.gov" directly.

Step 2: Select "Fingerprint Clearance Card" and confirm the card type and purpose with your agency or DCS specialist. Check the current fee shown in the DPS portal; fees can vary by card type.

Step 3: Complete your fingerprinting through an approved provider. After submitting your application online, follow current DPS instructions for approved fingerprinting providers and locations. Available providers and locations can change, so use the current DPS list rather than relying on a fixed provider or city list.

Step 4: Wait for processing. Once your prints are submitted, DPS processes the background check. Processing time varies by card type and DPS workload. Do not schedule your home study appointment until you have confirmed the card is accepted for your certification.

Step 5: Receive your card by mail. The card is mailed to the address on your application. Store it carefully — you'll need the physical card, not just the number, for most home study submissions.

Common Mistakes That Cause Delays

Choosing a card type without confirming acceptance. Confirm the card type with DPS and your certifying agency or DCS specialist before submitting the application.

Waiting too long. Processing time varies by card type and DPS workload. Many families start their adoption inquiry, spend several weeks researching agencies, then realize they need a clearance card — pushing their home study back. Apply early in your adoption research.

Forgetting household members. You'll remember the adults you live with daily. Don't forget adult children who are college students but still reside at your address, or adult relatives who stay at the home regularly.

Applying with outdated information. If you've lived in another state within the past five years, DCS will also run a registry check against that state's records. The DPS clearance handles the criminal check, but the out-of-state registry search is a separate requirement your agency will coordinate.

What Happens If You Have a Past Offense

Arizona law under ARS § 8-804 lists offenses that permanently or temporarily disqualify an applicant. Disqualifying categories include crimes against children, violent felonies, significant drug offenses within the applicable five- to ten-year period, and substantiated child-abuse or neglect registry findings.

If DPS denies your card or flags an issue, follow current DPS instructions for any applicable review or exception process. If you have prior criminal history, ask your agency, DCS specialist, or an Arizona adoption attorney how the issue affects certification before you invest heavily in the process.

The clearance card, once issued, is valid for six years but can be suspended or revoked if you are arrested for a disqualifying offense during that period. DPS will notify your certifying agency if suspension occurs.

How This Fits Into Your Overall Arizona Adoption Timeline

The fingerprint card is typically the first administrative task in the process, and it's the one most families underestimate in terms of lead time. Home studies cannot be completed without it. Petition filing cannot proceed without a current clearance. Processing time varies by card type and DPS workload, so start before you think you need to.

The Arizona Adoption Process Guide walks through the full certification timeline, including where the fingerprint card fits relative to your home study documents, background checks, and court filing requirements — so you're not caught off guard by sequencing issues that delay finalizations.

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