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Criminal Records Check

Free Background Checks Since October 1, 2018

DECAL will continue to pay the cost of fingerprinting for child care employees for the foreseeable future unless funding becomes no longer available. To obtain your background check determination letter for childcare employment please follow the criminal records check livescan instructions at the bottom of this page. Please note that your current letter may be portable to other child care centers for one year after you fingerprint which will save time and allow DECAL to continue paying this cost for as long as possible.


Individuals working in license-exempt programs that receive CAPS subsidy, working in licensed child care programs or residing (aged 17 or older) at a program must undergo a comprehensive background check and obtain a satisfactory determination from DECAL.

UPCOMING CHANGES TO THE BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS

On and after October 1, 2018,

  • Local background checks will no longer be accepted (no more 21-day provisional employment)
  • Everyone must have at least a fingerprint-based background check letter issued by DECAL before they can be present at the center to care for children or reside at a center
  • The new definition of Provisional Employee includes those with only a satisfactory Fingerprint Records Check Determination. People with this type of clearance are allowed on site, but must be under the direct and continuous supervision of a Director or Employee with a satisfactory Comprehensive Records Check Determination
  • A new comprehensive background check must be run for anyone who has had a lapse of employment in the child care industry that lasts 6 months or longer. (Students-in-Training are considered “employed in the child care industry” if they’ve been enrolled in a child care related curriculum.)
  • Programs can no longer accept paper clearance letters from a prospective employee. Letters will only be accepted at a facility if they are “ported” electronically through your DECAL KOALA account.

Questions? Contact the CRC@decal.ga.gov or call 1-855-884-7444.

  • F.B.I. National Fingerprint File (NFF) States and Interstate Identification Index Map
  • Gemalto Locations CALL BEFORE YOU GO
Out of State Contacts

Click here to see instructions for individuals that lived outside of Georgia within the last five years.

Providers

Click here to submit an online records check application in DECAL KOALA for your facility.

Note: If you have not activated your account or have forgotten your password, click here for help.

Potential Employees

Click here to submit an online records check application for facility approval.

Support Centers

Click here to submit an online records check application in DECAL KOALA for your Support Center.

If you would like additional information on Support Centers click here.

Note: If you have not activated your account or have forgotten your password, click here for help.

Additional Information
DocumentsTutorialsVideosWebinars
  • Fingerprinting 2023
  • Criminal Records Check Livescan Instructions
  • Court Documents
  • Phone Tree for the CBC Unit
  • DECAL e-mail List
  • Comprehensive Background Check Policy
  • Owner Account
  • Out of State Procedure for Ga residents to Fingerprint
  • Applicant's Privacy Rights
  • Informal Provider Instructions for Records Check
  • Criminal Record Check Paper Application
  • Support Center Application
  • Mass Porting from Owner Accounts or Support Centers
  • GA D.P.H. Babies Can't Wait
  • If you forgot your Koala Password and use Internet Explorer
  • Unit 1 – Why Are Comprehensive Background Checks Required? (mp4)
  • Unit 2 – Who Is Required To Undergo A Background Check? (mp4)
  • Unit 3 – Accessing Background Check Information (mp4)
  • Unit 4 - Background Check Procedure (pdf)
  • Unit 5 – Conducting Out of State Background Checks (mp4)
  • Unit 6 – Submitting a Background Check Portability Request (mp4)
  • Unit 7 – Using KOALA (mp4)
  • Unit 8 – Using the Cogent/Gemalto Public Portal (mp4)
  • Unit 9 – Support Center Background Check Instructions (mp4)
  • Unit 10 – Revocation (mp4)
  • DECAL KOALA Enhancements for License-Exempt Programs July 2020 (mp4)
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