Mandatory Background Check
California Penal Code Section 11105 (b) (22) and (23) allows the Superior Court of California to require prospective guardians or conservators to provide their fingerprints to access criminal records.
Fingerprinting and the subsequent record check (provided through the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, California Department of Justice) must be completed pursuant to Tulare County Rules of Court 1011.
After the Declaration of Completion of Guardianship Orientation is filed with the Court, the parties shall obtain the Live Scan Fingerprint forms from the Self-Help Resource Center at either Court location. The Court Investigator will inquire into the status of the completion of the required Live Scan Fingerprinting as follows:
Guardianships: EACH proposed Guardian and each household member age 18 and over must submit to livescan fingerprinting before the Guardianship can be granted.
Conservatorships: EACH proposed Conservator must submit to livescan fingerprinting before the Conservatorship can be granted.
It can sometimes take months to receive results on parties from the Department of Justice, so it is important this is completed ASAP, otherwise it may cause a delay in the investigation. Please remember to turn in a copy of the completed Live Scan form to FCS or to the front counter at SCJC, who will forward it to FCS staff. This way we can track your results.
***Failure to complete the Live Scan process as noted above is the most common reason why investigations are delayed.
How Do I Complete the Background Check Process?
Contact the Self-Help Resource Center by phone or in person at either of the locations listed below to obtain the LiveScan Fingerprint forms.
- Visalia: 221 S Mooney Blvd., RM203, Visalia, Ca 93291
- Porterville: 300 E Olive Ave, Porterville, Ca 93257
- By phone: 559-737-5500
Once you obtain the LiveScan Fingerprint forms, you will contact the Tulare County Sheriff's Office located at:
- 833 South Akers Street, Visalia, California, 93277; (559) 802-9400. Appointments (priority) and walk-ins are available between 8-11AM and from 2-4PM, Monday-Friday.
- 1839 S. Newcomb, Porterville, Ca 93257; 559-782-9650. Appointments are available between 9-3PM, Monday-Friday.
When you go to your appointment, take the completed LiveScan Fingerprint form (the form you received at the Self-Help Resource Center) along with valid personal identification and give it to the fingerprint technician.
The fingerprint technician will complete your fingerprinting, fill in the bottom portion of the form, keep the white copy of the form, and return two copies to you.
Bring or mail the pink copy of the LiveScan Fingerprint form to one of the following locations:
- Family Court Services: 221 S. Mooney Blvd., RM204, Visalia, Ca 93291
- South County Justice Center- Service Counter: 300 E Olive Ave., Porterville, Ca 93257
Contact Family Court Services at (559) 730-5000, Option # 6 if you have any problems or questions about this process.