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. For adoption purposes through DCS or a private licensed agency, the IVP card is what your certifying agency or court will require. The Non-IVP card is used for some employment contexts but does not meet the adoption standard. Using the wrong card type is one of the most common reasons home studies get delayed.

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 choose the IVP option. The application will ask for your purpose; select the adoption or child welfare option. The current fee is $67 for the IVP card.

Step 3: Complete your fingerprinting at a LiveScan location. After submitting your application online, you'll receive a transaction number. Take this to an authorized LiveScan provider. DPS maintains a list of approved locations at their website. In the Phoenix metro, locations at UPS stores and private fingerprinting services tend to have shorter wait times than government offices. In rural counties like Pinal or Mohave, schedule in advance — availability is limited.

Step 4: Wait for processing. Once your prints are submitted electronically, DPS processes the background check. Standard processing runs two to four weeks. If additional research is needed on any record, it can extend to eight weeks. Do not schedule your home study appointment until you have the physical card in hand.

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

Applying for Non-IVP when you need IVP. Once submitted, the card type cannot be changed. You must reapply and repay the fee.

Waiting too long. Processing takes two to four weeks at minimum. Many families start their adoption inquiry, spend several weeks researching agencies, then realize they need a clearance card — pushing their home study back by a month or more. Apply on day one of 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. Permanent bars include crimes against children, violent felonies, and certain drug offenses. Some offenses in the five- to ten-year window are also disqualifying depending on severity.

If DPS denies your card or flags an issue, you are not necessarily out of options. The Arizona State Board of Fingerprinting hears appeals through a Good Cause Exception process. This is separate from the DPS card application itself. The Board evaluates rehabilitation evidence, the nature of the offense, and the time elapsed. If you have any prior criminal history, research this process before starting your adoption application — an attorney familiar with the Board's standards can advise on your odds 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. Budget four to six weeks from when you apply to when you have a card in hand — and 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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