LDSS-3370. Statewide Central Register Database Check
Form LDSS-3370 is used in New York State to request a background check through the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Organizations such as child care centers, foster care agencies, adoption services, or any facility regulated by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) must complete this document when evaluating individuals who will work with, supervise, or reside around children.
Although the form looks purely administrative, it plays a crucial role: it determines whether the applicant or any adult household member has ever been the subject of an indicated report of child abuse or maltreatment. Because of this, agencies rely on LDSS-3370 to make legally compliant decisions about employment, certification, licensing, foster care approvals, and more.
Purpose and Legal Context
New York Social Services Law §424-a requires certain individuals—particularly those seeking to work in child-related fields or those applying to foster or adopt—to undergo an SCR background check. LDSS-3370 is the official form used to collect the identifying information necessary to run this inquiry.
The requirement exists to protect children by ensuring that individuals with prior substantiated cases of abuse or maltreatment are not placed in positions of responsibility involving minors.
What the Form Covers
The form collects detailed personal information to help OCFS accurately determine whether someone matches any existing SCR records. Small errors—misspelled names, missing aliases, incomplete addresses—can cause delays or inconclusive matches, so each section matters.
1. Agency Information
This section is completed by the requesting agency and includes the agency code, phone number, CCFS number (if applicable), liaison name, and mailing address. This information ensures that results are sent to the correct licensed or registered entity.
2. Applicant and Household Member Information
The SCR needs to know not only about the applicant but any person currently living in the applicant’s home. This is essential for foster care, adoption, and day care certifications where other residents may also be screened.
Common mistakes include:
- Failing to list all household members.
- Omitting maiden names or previous legal names.
- Leaving “NONE” blank instead of explicitly writing it.
3. Address History for the Past 28 Years
Applicants must provide all residential addresses for the past 28 years, even if they lived out of state. For foster/adoptive applicants, household members aged 18+ must also provide their address history.
This extended history is required because SCR records are often associated with previous residences. Missing an address may cause an inconclusive result.
4. Signature and Affirmation
By signing, the applicant affirms that all information is accurate. False statements may result in denial of employment, licensing, or approval—and could have legal consequences.
5. Signatures of Household Members Age 18+
Any adult living in the home of a foster, adoptive, or child care applicant must also sign. This authorizes the SCR to check whether they have any indicated reports.
Who Must File This Form
- Applicants for employment in child care programs.
- Foster parent and adoptive parent applicants.
- Household members age 18+ of the above applicants.
- Child day care providers and residents of family/group family day care homes.
- Any individual required under Social Services Law §424-a.
When the Form Is Not Required
- For employment or volunteer roles with no contact with children.
- For agencies not regulated by OCFS.
- For individuals living outside New York and not applying for child-related certification within the state.
Examples of Real-Life Situations
- A couple applying to become foster parents must submit LDSS-3370 for themselves and any adult children living at home.
- A teacher hired by a licensed child care center completes the form before starting employment.
- A day care provider relocating to a new home must submit updated LDSS-3370 forms for themselves and adult residents.
- An individual seeking adoption through a private agency must complete the form even if they have lived in multiple states.
Practical Tips for Completing the Form
- List all names ever used—maiden names, prior married names, legal aliases.
- Be precise with dates for each address; approximate months are acceptable, but leaving gaps is not.
- If there are no additional household members, check the box clearly.
- Write “NONE” explicitly if a section asks for aliases but you have none.
- Ensure all adult household members sign their own section—missing signatures cause automatic delays.
Documents Commonly Attached
- Copy of government ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport).
- Any court documents supporting name changes.
- Proof of residence, if required by the agency.
- Completed fingerprinting forms (if part of the agency’s process).
FAQ
What is the purpose of the SCR Database Check?
The SCR check determines whether the applicant or household members are listed as subjects of indicated child abuse or maltreatment reports.
How long does the process take?
Most checks take from several days to several weeks, depending on volume and whether information is complete.
Do all household members need to be listed?
Yes, for certain categories such as foster care, adoption, and family day care providers.
What if I have lived in multiple states?
You must still list all addresses for the past 28 years; SCR covers New York, but out-of-state history helps match identities correctly.
Can the form be denied for incomplete information?
Yes. Missing signatures, missing aliases, and incomplete address histories often result in rejections.
Will an indicated report automatically disqualify me?
Not always; decisions vary by program and severity. The check simply reports findings to the requesting agency.
Do minors need to be listed?
They must be listed if they live in the home, but minors are not screened unless specified by law.
Micro-FAQ (Short Answers)
- Purpose: To check whether an individual appears in NY's child abuse/maltreatment database.
- Who files: Applicants and household members involved in child-related certifications.
- Deadline: Typically required before employment or certification approval.
- Attachments: ID copies, name-change documents, agency-specific forms.
- Submitted to: New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
- Household members? Adults often must sign and provide address history.
- Out-of-state addresses? Must be listed for identity verification.
- Aliases? Yes, all must be disclosed.
- Is it mandatory? Yes for positions regulated by Social Services Law §424-a.
Related Forms
- OCFS-3909 – Foster/Adoptive Parent Medical Report
- LDSS-3377 – Request for Fingerprinting Services
- OCFS-4870 – Criminal History Review Request
- Day Care Facility Licensing Application Packet
Form Details
- Form Name: Statewide Central Register Database Check
- Form Number: LDSS-3370
- Agency: New York State Office of Children and Family Services
- Region: New York State
- Edition: 03/2019