DCL-01-14, Procedures for Requesting Federal Parental Locator Service (FPLS) Information

DCL-01-14

MAR 19, 2001

TO: ALL STATE IV-D DIRECTORS

RE: Procedures for Requesting Federal Parental Locator Service (FPLS) Information

Dear Colleague:

The Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS) is a computerized national location network that provides address and social security number (SSN) information to State and local Child Support Enforcement (CSE) agencies. This information is provided only to authorized users for the purpose of locating individuals to establish paternity and for establishing, modifying, and enforcing a child support obligation, and to assist authorized persons in resolving parental kidnapping and child custody and visitation determination cases.

As you are aware, Federal law limits access to authorized users for specified purposes. Authorized users should submit their requests through the Federal Case Registry (FCR). By using the FCR, States will have access to more recent information; receive quick responses to requests; and receive on-going data matching from FCR and National Directory of New Hires data. However, in situations in which the caseworker needs immediate information for an upcoming court case such as a SSN verification or identification, authorized users may call the FPLS Information Hotline at (202) 401-9267. We want to ensure timely services to all users of the FPLS and ask that States not make telephone requests for more than five (5) cases per call. To ensure the confidentiality and security of the data, the FPLS maintains a listing of all authorized persons in each State and the information will only be released to those individuals.

Thank you for your assistance and continuing efforts to keep your staff and clients aware of the services available through the child support enforcement program. We stand ready to assist you in any way possible as we work together to improve the lives of our nation's children.

If you have any questions, please contact Ella Lawson at 202-401-4963.

Sincerely,

Frank Fuentes
Acting Commissioner
Office of Child Support Enforcement

cc: Regional Program Managers
ACF Regional Administrators
State Parent Locator Service Contacts