TrustLine is California's registry of in-home childcare providers who have passed a background check. Federal Fingerprinting provides certified Live Scan fingerprinting for TrustLine registration, helping nannies, babysitters, and in-home caregivers complete their background screening quickly and accurately.
TrustLine is California's official registry of in-home childcare providers who have passed a comprehensive background check through both the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI. It was established by the California Department of Social Services to help families verify that their childcare providers have no disqualifying criminal history. Registration is required by law for anyone providing license-exempt in-home childcare in California.
Anyone providing in-home childcare in California is required to register with TrustLine. This includes nannies, babysitters, au pairs, family daycare assistants, and relative caregivers who receive state childcare subsidies. If you are hired by a family to care for their children in the family's home or your own home, you must be TrustLine registered.
The fingerprinting process at Federal Fingerprinting takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes. After your fingerprints are submitted electronically, the DOJ and FBI background check typically takes 2 to 3 weeks. You will receive notification from the California Department of Social Services once your TrustLine registration is complete.
You need two items: (1) a completed TrustLine application form, which you can download from the CDSS website or obtain from your employer, and (2) a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID such as a California driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID.
The total cost includes Federal Fingerprinting's rolling fee ($35–$45 depending on location) plus government processing fees: $32 for the DOJ and $17 for the FBI. The total out-of-pocket cost is typically between $84 and $94. Please note that prices may vary — depending on the specific applicant type, there can be additional fees (such as for childcare, daycare, elderly care, firearms, etc.) which can increase the total cost by $25 or more. Some employers or childcare agencies may reimburse these fees.