Current Memo

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Date: May 08, 2026 

To: All OBI Provider Portal Users 

From: VDSS Office of Background Investigations (OBI) 

Subject: Provider Portal Enhancements- 5.07.2026 Deployment 

This memo is to provide information on enhancements to the OBI Provider Portal completed during the May 07, 2026, deployment. Please review this memo in its entirety and submit any additional questions, concerns or portal issues to the appropriate OBI Team email address. 

Initial Only Option for Middle Name Field 

The middle name field now allows for initial only indication. Middle name is a required field for applicants, spouses, and children entered on the central registry search request; and the individual’s full legal middle name must be entered correctly to move forward.  

-Individuals with a single initial as their legal middle name, enter a single letter (A-Z) in the middle field and select the initial only option.  

-Individuals with no middle name, select the no middle name option. 

-Individuals with multiple names and/or special characters (hyphens, commas, accent marks, etc.), separate names or letters with a space. The portal does not allow special characters to be entered in any name field for applicants, spouses, or children. 

For questions about registration, Fieldprint, or criminal fingerprint background results please email the criminal team: backgrounds@dss .virginia.gov 

For questions about the Central Registry, please email the central registry team: crs_operations@dss .virginia.gov