Delaware Foster Care Checklist: Documents and Forms You Need

The single most common reason Delaware foster care applications stall is missing paperwork. Not failed background checks, not home safety violations — incomplete document packages that bounce back and forth between you and your Foster Home Coordinator. DFS doesn't publish a consolidated "everything you need" list in one place, so applicants piece it together from information sessions, phone calls, and guesswork. Here's the complete list, organized by the phase when each document is needed.

Phase 1: Documents to Gather During PRIDE Training

Start collecting these while you're still in training sessions. The goal is to have everything ready the moment your nine-session PRIDE curriculum ends, so there's no dead time between training completion and application submission.

Proof of age (21+) for all applicants. A valid driver's license or state-issued ID card. Both partners in a couple must be at least 21. This is straightforward, but if your ID is expired, renew it now — an expired ID raises unnecessary questions.

Proof of Delaware residency. A current lease, mortgage statement, or utility bill showing at least one year of stable residence at your current address. If you moved recently, you may need to provide documentation from your previous address too.

Financial statement. DFS needs to see that your household income covers your existing expenses without relying on the foster care board rate. Recent pay stubs (at least two months), your most recent tax return, or bank statements showing regular deposits. There's no minimum income threshold — they're looking for stability and self-sufficiency, not wealth. If your income fluctuates (freelance work, commission-based jobs), provide several months of documentation to show the pattern.

Completed physician's health form for every household member. This is a DFS-specific form, not a generic physical. Make sure your doctor completes every single section — incomplete health forms are the number-one document-related delay in Delaware foster care applications. If your doctor isn't familiar with the DFS form, give them advance notice that it's more detailed than a standard employment physical. Review the completed form before leaving the office.

Proof of homeowners or renters insurance. Your current declarations page showing active coverage. If you rent, a standard renters insurance policy is sufficient.

Proof of auto insurance. Current policy documentation for any vehicle that will be used to transport foster children. Make sure the policy is current and the named drivers match your household members.

Three non-relative personal references with full contact information. Names, current phone numbers, email addresses, and mailing addresses. Choose people who know you well enough to speak specifically about your character, your patience under stress, and your experience with children. Former teachers, coaches, employers, faith community leaders, or long-term friends work well. Relatives are excluded by regulation, and casual acquaintances who can only offer a generic "they're great" aren't particularly useful.

Critically: tell your references in advance that DFS will be contacting them, explain what it's about, and confirm their phone numbers are current. References who don't return calls from unknown numbers are one of the most common causes of home study delays.

Phase 2: The Formal Application Package

These documents are submitted after you complete PRIDE training, bundled together as your formal application.

Signed DFS Application Form. Your Foster Home Coordinator provides this. It captures your personal information, household composition, employment details, and the ages and genders of children you're open to.

Autobiographical statement. A written narrative about your background, your childhood and family of origin, your motivations for fostering, your parenting philosophy, and how you handle stress and conflict. DFS doesn't prescribe a specific format or length, but most coordinators want a thorough, honest account — not a one-paragraph summary. This document feeds directly into your home study assessment, so write it with care.

Signed release forms for SBI/FBI background checks and Child Protection Registry search. Every household member aged 18 and older must sign these individually. This authorizes DFS to run the four-part background investigation.

Marriage certificate or domestic partnership documentation (if applicable).

Divorce decree for any prior marriages (if applicable). DFS needs this for a complete picture of your household history.

Phase 3: Training Certifications

These are earned during and after PRIDE training and must be in your file before licensing.

PRIDE training completion certificate. Issued after you finish all nine sessions and pass the competency assessments with an 85% score. Keep your original — you'll need it for the application file and for future license renewals.

CPR certification. Current certification from an approved provider (American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or equivalent). Both partners in a dual-parent household must hold current certification.

First Aid certification. Same requirement as CPR — both partners must be individually certified. Many training providers offer combined CPR/First Aid courses that satisfy both requirements in a single session.

Mandated Reporter training completion. Required under Delaware Code Title 16, Section 903. Foster parents have a legal obligation to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to the DFS Report Line at 1-800-292-9582. DFS or your training agency will direct you to the appropriate module.

Phase 4: Home Study Documentation

Have these ready for your assessment worker at the first home visit.

Pet vaccination and licensing records. Current rabies vaccination certificates and municipal pet licenses for every animal in the home. If your dog's rabies shot is expired, get it updated before the inspection.

Firearm permits and storage demonstration. If you own firearms, have current permits for each one readily accessible. The assessor will verify that firearms are stored unloaded in a locked cabinet and ammunition is stored in a separate locked cabinet.

Well water test results. For Sussex County applicants and anyone with a private well rather than public water supply, testing documentation confirming safe, drinkable water is required. Ask your FHC for the specific testing protocols early in the process.

Fire extinguisher and safety equipment. A charged 2A 10BC fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Working smoke detectors on every level. Carbon monoxide detectors near fuel-burning appliances or attached garages. Safety gates at stairs with four or more steps if children under three will be present.

Phase 5: Post-Licensing, Pre-Placement

Once you're licensed, have these in place before accepting your first placement.

Emergency contact list including your DFS caseworker's direct number, the DFS After-Hours Emergency Line (1-800-464-4357), the Diamond State Health Plan 24/7 hotline, and your assigned agency's crisis line if you're working with a private agency.

The child's DFS Placement Authorization. DFS provides this document when a specific child is matched to your home. It outlines the child's background, known medical needs, and case plan goals.

The child's Medicaid (DSHP) card. Issued upon placement for immediate medical access. Don't wait for the card to seek medical care — the authorization is effective immediately.

Bedroom preparation. The designated room fully set up with a bed and frame, chest of drawers, closet space, and age-appropriate linens. For infants: a separate crib that meets current safety standards.

The Organization Principle

DFS doesn't care whether you use a three-ring binder, a manila folder, or a digital file. What matters is that when your assessor or FHC asks for a document, you can produce it immediately rather than saying "I know I have that somewhere." A single organized file — sorted by the phases above — signals to your assessor that you're prepared and serious. More importantly, it prevents the scattered document hunts that delay applications by weeks.

Our Delaware Foster Care Licensing Guide includes printable checklists for each phase, document tracking templates with space for dates submitted and dates approved, and the specific DFS forms referenced above so you can walk into the process fully prepared.

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