Child Abuse Register (with new forms)
The Child Abuse Register contains the names of persons who have been found by the court to have abused children. The register is used by child protection workers to help determine whether or not a child is in need of protective services. It is also used to screen prospective foster and adoptive parents, and prospective employees or volunteers who are or would be working with children.
Any organization employing staff or using volunteers who will be working directly and unsupervised with children under age 16 may request to have a search of the Child Abuse Register completed to determine if a prospective employee or volunteer has been found to have abused a child.
The person who is the subject of the search must give their written consent for the search to be conducted. By law, anyone who receives information from the Child Abuse Register must treat the information as confidential.
Next steps
The Department of Community Services has forms which must be used to request a search of the Child Abuse Register. Please allow ten business days for the processing of your forms.
Please note that the PDF forms can be filled out on your computer and then printed, or printed first and then filled out manually. If you are unable to download and print these forms please call (902) 424-6798 to have copies mailed to you.
- Individuals:
If you are an individual requesting documentation confirming you are not currently on the Child Abuse Register, fill out and mail the Request for Search Form A (PDF) form. We will send a confirmation document to the mailing address provided on the form. You may share this document with volunteer organizations and/or employers. - Agencies, organizations or employers:
If you represent an agency, organization or employer requesting confirmation that one or more people are not currently on the Child Abuse Register, please fill out and mail the Request for Disclosure of Information Form B1 (PDF) form along with copies of the Consent Form B2 (PDF) form for each person. We will send confirmation that the relevant people do not appear on the register directly to the agency, organization or employer.
If you represent an agency, organization or employer that has been provided a document stating that a person is not currently on the Child Abuse Register, please note that status is only current as of the date that the document was issued. Also, please note that the document will feature an embossed stamp of authenticity.
If you have questions or concerns about this process, please call us at (902) 424-6798.