DCF: 46-3-18 Connecticut Department of Children and Families DCF: 46-3-18
Chapter 46

COURTS
Superior Court For Juvenile Matters

Affidavit Regarding Diligent Search for Parents'

Identity and Location                                                 Policy 46-3-18

 

When to Use Affidavit -


When the identity or present location of a parent is unknown to the Department, the DCF-2037, "Affidavit Regarding Diligent Search for the Parent’s Identity or Location," shall be attached to any of the following motions or petitions: 

  • Motion for Order of Notice;
  • Neglect/Uncared for Petition;
  • Motion for Order of Temporary Custody;
  • Termination of Parental Rights Petition; and
  • Coterminous Petition. 

The Department shall make a diligent search to locate a missing parent to avoid future legal complications. Failure to conduct a truly diligent search can result in a disrupted placement or adoption at some future time. 

The diligent search effort may be made by either or both the Social Worker assigned to the case and the Paralegal Specialists.  Separate diligent search affidavits shall be filled out by each person involved in the search attesting to what each person has done to attempt the location of the missing parent. 

Note: A diligent search conducted at the time of filing a petition or motion fulfills a service of process requirement required for court purposes.  This is separate and distinct from the Social Worker's obligation to locate parents for purposes of case planning and provision of services.

 

Sources of Information -

The following are sources of information that can be used by the Social Worker or Paralegal to searching for parent(s) whose identity or whereabouts are unknown:

 

Attorney for parent or child

Internal Revenue Service letter (for TPR only - IRS will send client a sealed letter)

Post Office forwarding address

Birth certificate of parent and/or child

Internet - telephone and other directories

Probation and parole officers

Certified letter to last known address

Interpol request letter (for TPR only)

Real estate and tax collector records

Closed DCF records in regional office or in storage, including adoption record

Judicial Department website listing for family and civil cases 

Relatives and the other parent

Death certificate

Link search

School records of child or siblings

Departments of Motor Vehicles (Form J-23), Corrections, Social Services (Federal Parent Locator Service)

Marriage certificate

Social Security office (Social Security will forward a sealed letter to the person asking them to contact the Department)

Directories, city/state

 Military branches - request for parent's location

Telephone directories/telephone calls to last known address

Employer

Physical visit to last known address

Voting records (Registrar of Voters)

Foster parents, past and present

Police, local and state

States Attorney's Office

 

 

 

 

 


Information About Parents -

The initial interview with either of the parents is an important time to gather information.  Facts to be obtained about the parents that will assist with locating the other parent and any relative resources may include the following: 

  • name, address and telephone number of each parent;
  • other names used by the parents;
  • previous addresses;
  • Social Security number (copy of card shall be obtained if available);
  • driver’s license (copy shall be obtained if available);
  • religious, educational and ethnic background, including whether Native American, or part Native American (see below);
  • occupation, place of employment, and work telephone number;
  • names and contact information for paternal and maternal relatives;
  • whether divorced  (copy of divorce decree shall be obtained);
  • whether a court has entered a custody, visitation, paternity or child support order (copy shall be obtained);
  • whether there is a pending legal matter in any other court regarding custody of or visitation with children;
  • the names and residences of any other children and the name of the other parent of those children;
  • place where parents met;
  • place where parents were living while maintaining the relationship;
  • length of the relationship;
  • place where other parent was last known to be;
  • names of friends who might know other parent’s location;
  • places visited by the missing parent;
  • military service of parents;
  • if the other parent is deceased, the date and place of death and a copy of death certificate;
  • whether state assistance or Social Security benefits have or are being received by any parent or any child.
Notice if Parent is Native American -

Pursuant to the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, if a parent is Native American or part Native American, the tribe and/or federal Bureau of Indian Affairs shall be served with a copy of the petition and the Social Study, along with the parents and any Indian custodian of the child. 

Cross reference:  Policy 31-8-14, "Native American Families."

Connecticut Department of Children and Families                      Effective Date: November 2, 2011 (Revised)


 







Content Last Modified on 11/28/2011 2:13:34 PM



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