Search Services

There are four types of searches available:

Quick Search
A Quick search may be requested when key pieces of information about the missing person are available.  The minimum information required about the missing person is First Name and Last Name, SS# and/or DOB. Quick Results and Certification are provided within two hours on the DSS website under Search Results.  In addition to the missing person, this search may be used for identified relatives or possible unknown relatives of the missing person. There are no caseworker steps to be completed prior to requesting this search.

Priority Search
A Priority Search may be requested for two purposes: 1) When protective custody is taken and/or 2) When an emergency placement is needed. Search results, detailed results and Certification of Search are provided within two hours during any business day on the DSS website under Search Results. This search may be used in emergency situations for any missing person including identified relatives of the missing person. The more information available about the missing person, the better will be the quality of the results.

Comprehensive Search
Results are available with in two business days. This search is to be used for all missing persons including:

• Missing Parent – An absent birth or adoptive parent.
• Relative/Other – A person related to a child in DCFS care who is not a parent or sibling. This may include foster parents, step parents, paramours, relatives or neighbors of the aforementioned and others with whom a child may have had a significant relationship.
• Sibling
• Missing involved subject of CANTS – Person identified by CANTS check.
• Ward/Client- Child/Youth in Care who is Absent From Placement, has been abducted, run away or is otherwise missing.

Searches for Relatives for Purposes of Child Placement
This search option allows for searches of relatives, known or unknown, of maternal parent, paternal parent, adoptive parents and stepparents. This is only for relatives other than a parent or sibling and is for purposes of placement to be used when the criteria for Quick and Priority searches can not be met. The minimum information required about the missing person is First Name, Last Name and if possible City and State. The results are made available within two business days. All DSS search results, detailed search results, missing person confirmation letters and certifications of diligent search are provided automatically to the worker on the DSS website as needed. For court purposes, a Certification is required. Assistance is available for completing the search request form or for any other aspect of using the DSS by e-mail, phone or fax.

The searches now available, are designed to be selected, not in chronological order of the case, but in accordance with what pieces of information the person requesting the search has about the missing person and what the case circumstances are at the time of the search request. The case circumstances for diligent search are divided into four categories:

• Cases in which Protective Custody has been taken and Court Involvement Cases (Front end searches)
• Protective Custody is not taken and Court Involvement is not sought
• Cases in which Protective Custody is taken and the case is screened in or any Ongoing case wherein the whereabouts of the parent continues to be unknown
• Diligent Search for Purposes of Termination of Parental Rights, Subsidized Guardianship Adoption or Expedited Adoption (Back End Searches)