California mandated reporters use BCIA 8572 for the written report required by the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (Penal Code section 11166). After a phone report to police, the sheriff, county probation or county welfare, the reporter sends this 2-page form to that agency within 36 hours. It covers the reporting party, agency notified, victim, involved parties and the incident narrative.
The mandated reporter completes sections A to E, one report per victim; if the report is phoned in, the person taking it may sign section A.
Download the current version from the source each time; forms change without notice.
Suspected Child Abuse Report
A form is listed only after its name and number were confirmed on the issuing agency’s or insurer’s own website, or in the form itself. Each entry links to that source. The list was last checked in October 2026. Forms and their requirements change without notice, so check the official page for the current version before you complete one.
Vero is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the agencies and insurers listed here. Read our editorial policy.
Penal Code section 11166(a) requires a phone report to a designated agency immediately or as soon as practically possible, then a written report within 36 hours of receiving the information. The receiving agency forwards copies to the district attorney within 36 hours.
Yes. The Attorney General posts translations of the form, including Spanish, Armenian, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, and Simplified and Traditional Chinese. File names of the translations still use the older SS 8572 number.
Any police or sheriff's department (not a school district police or security department), the county probation department if designated by the county, or the county welfare department. Keep a copy for your records and do not submit the form to the Department of Justice.