CFS 432: Out of State Travel / Out of Country Travel / Extended Trips
Please read the instructions below prior to completing the request. Failure to follow instructions may result in a processing delay.
Instructions:
A CFS 432 must be requested and approved by the DCFS Guardianship Administrator for trips longer than 30 days and all out of country trips. Travel out of state for over 48 hours and up to 30 days requires the permission of the assigned caseworker and supervisor. Please include all required/requested supporting documents as an attachment with this request. Please note that this form should only be completed by the DCFS Case Management Placement Team or Child Welfare Contributing Agency (CWCA) Placement Worker.
For in state travel and travel out of state for less than 48 hours, the caregiver must use the Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard when determining whether to allow a youth in care to participate in travel. A CFS 432 form is not needed for these instances.
Please be aware of the following when completing the form:
1. Do not use acronyms anywhere in the request.
2. Emergency contact(s) should be someone the youth is NOT traveling with.
3. You will need to provide specific information for travel-destination, lodging, method of travel, etc.
4. Additional information may be requested upon further review, including the youth's health status, impact on parent/sibling visit, compliance with existing services, legal issues, impact of travel on school, elopement history, covid vaccination, etc.
Out of Country Travel Requirements
For all out of country travel requests, please provide:
1. Court Order: Original court order authorizing the youth to travel, including dates and companions.
2. Travel Warnings: Current travel warnings for the destination (available at www.travel.state.gov).
3. COVID Vaccination Records: Copy of the youth’s COVID vaccination card.
4. Passport: Copy of the youth’s passport. If the youth does not have a passport, follow the additional steps in the Passport Request section below.
5. Agency Letter: Letter on agency letterhead signed by the caseworker, supervisor, and program manager recommending the travel.
6. Counselor Letter: If in counseling, a letter from the counselor on letterhead stating the youth is fit to travel.
7. Psychiatrist Letter: If on psychotropic medication, a letter from the psychiatrist on letterhead stating the youth is compliant with medication.
8. School Letter: If missing school, a letter from the school on letterhead stating the youth is in good standing and can make up missed work.
Passport Requests for Out of Country Travel
If the youth does not have a passport, include the following with your request. If approved, an authorized agent will assist in securing the passport and will contact you.
1. Passport Application: DS-11 form (available at www.travel.state.gov) completed by the caseworker. Foster parents cannot apply.
2. Custody Order: Original certified copy of the temporary custody or dispositional order.
3. Birth Certificate: Original copy of the youth’s birth certificate.
4. Court Order: Certified court order stating, “David L. Fox, DCFS Guardianship Administrator, or his authorized agent, is able to apply for and obtain a passport for (name of youth).”
