Clearances

PATCH | Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History

Complete a Pennsylvania criminal background check online. Please note that typical response time is a two to three week period.

Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Form (CY-113)

Submit a Pennsylvania child abuse clearance form.

Clearance results will be mailed to you within 14 days from the date that the clearance is received in the PA office. There will be no replacements after 90 days. Failure to comply with the above instructions will cause considerable delay.

Learn more and review the online instructions.

Federal Criminal History Record

The fingerprint-based background check is a multiple-step process:

1.     All applicants must register prior to going to the fingerprint site.  Walk-in service without prior registration will not be provided at the fingerprint site. Registration is completed online or over the phone. Registration is available online 24 hours/day, seven days a week online. Telephone registration is available at 1-888-439-2486, Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.

IMPORTANT: When registering online, be sure to click on Pennsylvania Department of Education for your FBI Clearance. Do not register with the Department of Public Welfare.

2.     Applicant will pay a fee of $33 for the fingerprint service. If you want a paper copy of your Criminal History Record, an additional fee of $2.50 must be added to the fingerprinting fee for a total of $35.50. Applicants may make their payment online using a credit or debit card.  Money orders or cashiers checks payable to Cogent Systems will be accepted on site for those applicants who do not have the means to pay electronically. No cash transactions or personal checks are allowed.

3.     The applicant proceeds to the fingerprint site of their choice. Locations of fingerprint sites and hours of operation are posted on Cogent Systems’ Web site. The location of fingerprint sites may change over time; applicants are encouraged to confirm the site location.

4.     UPS will manage the fingerprint collection process.