Clearance, Pennsylvania Criminal Records Search: Cases & Public Records

What Is a Pennsylvania Criminal Record Clearance?

A Pennsylvania criminal record clearance is an official criminal-history check issued through the Pennsylvania State Police. Its formal name is a Request for Criminal History Record Check, processed through Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History, or PATCH.

The clearance searches criminal-history information maintained in the State Police Central Repository under Pennsylvania’s Criminal History Record Information Act.

People commonly request a PA criminal record clearance for:

• School employment and student teaching
• Working with children
• Childcare employment
• Volunteer positions involving children
• Certain healthcare and social-service roles
• Foster care or adoption applications
• Employment screening when the employer requires it
• Other qualifying licensing or background-check purposes

Which Pennsylvania criminal record search do you actually need?

How to Get a PA Criminal Record Clearance Online Through PATCH

The fastest official application method is the Pennsylvania State Police PATCH website. Individual applicants use the public nonregistered-user process.

1. Open the official PATCH website. Go to epatch.pa.gov. Confirm that you are using the government-operated criminal-history application.
2. Choose “Submit a New Record Check.” For an ordinary employment or individual clearance, choose the standard record-check option. If you are an eligible unpaid volunteer, use the separate volunteer option instead.
3. Review and accept the site’s terms. PATCH explains the purpose of criminal-history record checks and the rules governing its information.
4. Enter your requester details. Provide the name, mailing address, contact details and other information requested by the application.
5. Enter the subject’s information. When ordering your own clearance, enter your correct legal name and other required identifiers. Review the information carefully before continuing.
6. Confirm the type of record check. Make sure you are purchasing the correct Pennsylvania State Police criminal-history check for your purpose.
7. Review the payment information. A standard clearance costs $22. Since April 22, 2026, online credit-card PATCH transactions also carry a 2% processing fee.
8. Submit the application. PATCH assigns a unique control number. Save the control number and the date of the request.
9. Review the result status. The system may return an immediate No Record response or place the request Under Review for additional processing.
10. Download and print the certificate. When a final No Record or Record result is available, open the certificate using the control number and save a copy for your records.

Do you need to create a PATCH account?

Individual applicants are treated as nonregistered users. You do not need to establish a registered organizational account for an ordinary personal clearance.

Companies, agencies and offices that routinely conduct criminal-history checks may apply for registered-user status and use the billing arrangements offered by Pennsylvania State Police.

Can you request checks for more than one person?

The Pennsylvania State Police allows up to ten record checks per PATCH session.

Organizations should follow applicable legal requirements for screening individuals and should not assume that the public PATCH system authorizes every possible use of criminal-history information.

How to Check Pennsylvania PATCH Clearance Status

If the certificate is not immediately available, you can return to the official PATCH website and check the request’s status.

You do not need to order and pay for a second criminal-history check simply because your first request says Under Review.

Steps to check your criminal clearance application

1. Open the PATCH homepage. Select Check the status of a Record Check.
2. Enter the control number. Use the number generated when the original request was submitted.
3. Enter the date of request. Use the original application date, not the current date.
4. Enter the subject’s name. Use the name exactly as it appeared in the request.
5. Submit the status search. Review the resulting status.
6. Open the certificate when available. For a completed result, click the blue control number or available certificate link to view and print the official document.

Understanding PATCH application statuses

Does “Request Under Review” mean you failed the background check?

No. Pennsylvania State Police explicitly states that an Under Review status does not necessarily mean the individual has a criminal record.

It means the submitted identifiers require human review before the request can be completed.

After the manual review, PATCH updates the status to No Record or Record.

How long does PATCH Under Review take?

Some No Record certificates are available immediately. Pennsylvania State Police says approximately 85% of No Record responses are returned instantly.

Requests requiring additional review can take approximately two to four weeks, depending on the request and processing conditions. The State Police also provides shorter estimates for some review categories.

If you provided an email address, PATCH can notify you when the final response becomes available.

How to Print or Download Your Pennsylvania Criminal Clearance Certificate

The Pennsylvania State Police no longer automatically mails results for PATCH requests submitted through the online website.

Online applicants are responsible for retrieving and printing their completed No Record or Record responses.

Download your PATCH certificate

1. Return to epatch.pa.gov.
2. Select the Record Check Status option.
3. Enter the original control number, date and name.
4. Wait until the status is No Record or Record.
5. Click the displayed control number or certificate link.
6. Open the official certificate.
7. Save the file securely and print it if required.

How does an employer verify that a certificate is authentic?

The Pennsylvania State Police allows the information on a completed certificate to be validated through the PATCH Record Check Status function.

The requester uses the control number, the subject’s name as entered on the request and the date of submission.

The matching record can then be opened to review the certificate.

What if you lost your PATCH control number?

Check the email receipt or confirmation generated when you submitted the request.

If your application was mailed rather than submitted online, Pennsylvania State Police instructs applicants to call 888-783-7972 and choose option 1 to obtain the control number.

For another unresolved lookup problem, contact the PATCH help desk rather than ordering a duplicate check unnecessarily.

PA Criminal Record Clearance Fees in 2026

The cost of a Pennsylvania background clearance depends on the purpose and type of request.

What changed in the 2026 PATCH fee schedule?

The PATCH website announced that, starting April 22, 2026, online credit-card transactions incur a 2% processing fee.

Registered users and mail-in requests paid by check are not subject to this specific online credit-card transaction fee.

Confirm the final checkout amount before submitting payment.

What changed for DHS FBI clearances in October 2026?

On October 1, 2026, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services increased the FBI fingerprint-clearance fees:

• Employee, foster-parent and adoptive-parent clearance: from $24.95 to $27.95.
• Volunteer FBI clearance: from $22.95 to $25.95.

These are DHS-administered fingerprint-clearance prices. Other agencies, including the Department of Education, may have different registration instructions, service codes or applicable pricing.

How to Apply for a Pennsylvania Criminal Record Clearance by Mail

Pennsylvania State Police also accepts paper criminal-history requests for people who cannot use the online service or who require notarization.

Which State Police form should you use?

Steps for a mail-in standard criminal clearance

1. Download Form SP 4-164. Use the version linked from the Pennsylvania State Police website.
2. Complete the requester and subject information. Enter the required identifying details clearly and accurately.
3. Include the appropriate payment. For mail requests, follow the PSP instructions for a certified check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
4. Request notarization if necessary. A standard criminal-history check can be notarized for an additional $5, but the request must be submitted by mail.
5. Mail the form using the official instructions. Use the Central Repository mailing address shown below.
6. Keep a copy of your paperwork. Retain the date of mailing and relevant payment information.
7. Follow up through the PSP help desk. If necessary, obtain the control number by phone and check the status.

Can volunteer checks be notarized?

No. Pennsylvania State Police states that qualifying free volunteer criminal-history checks cannot be notarized.

If an organization requests a notarized criminal-history certificate, confirm which type of clearance it needs before completing your application.

PA Act 34 Criminal Record Clearance for Employment and Schools

The Pennsylvania State Police criminal-history check is commonly called an Act 34 clearance.

For Pennsylvania public and private school employment involving direct contact with children, the Department of Education identifies Act 34 criminal-history clearance as one of the required background checks.

It is also required for qualifying school contractors and student teacher candidates under the applicable education laws.

Who typically needs Act 34 clearance?

• Prospective teachers and school employees with direct student contact
• Qualifying student teacher candidates
• School contractor employees who will have direct contact with children
• Childcare and child-serving organization employees under applicable laws
• Other applicants whose employers require a Pennsylvania State Police criminal-history check

Is Act 34 the same as a Pennsylvania criminal background check?

In everyday Pennsylvania employment terminology, Act 34 clearance generally refers to the State Police criminal-history check issued through PATCH.

However, the name alone does not mean the entire school or childcare screening process is complete.

Is one Act 34 certificate enough to work in a school?

Usually not for roles subject to the full Pennsylvania school background-check requirements.

Pennsylvania Department of Education identifies three required checks for qualifying applicants:

1. State Police Criminal History Record Check (Act 34).
2. Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151).
3. Federal Criminal History Record Information check using fingerprints (commonly Act 114).

The employer or educational institution must review the appropriate results before authorizing work in positions covered by the law.

The Three Pennsylvania Clearances: Act 34, Act 151 and FBI Fingerprinting

People searching for “PA criminal record clearance” are often completing employment, school or volunteer background checks.

These applicants should understand that the three major Pennsylvania clearances come from different government systems.

How to obtain the Child Abuse History Clearance

1. Open the official Child Welfare Portal (CWIS).
2. Create or sign in to the required account.
3. Choose the correct clearance purpose.
4. Complete the identifying and household-history information requested.
5. Pay the applicable fee or use an authorized organization payment code.
6. Submit the application.
7. Follow the portal instructions to view and print the final certificate.

The DHS Child Abuse History Certification currently costs $13 for ordinary employee requests and is free for qualifying volunteer requests.

How to obtain the Pennsylvania DHS FBI fingerprint clearance

1. Confirm which FBI clearance program applies. A school employee may need Department of Education instructions, while a childcare employee may need Department of Human Services instructions.
2. Get the correct service code. The fingerprinting system uses agency and purpose-specific service codes.
3. Pre-register with IdentoGO. Use the official authorized fingerprint registration process.
4. Choose a fingerprint location. Find a convenient IdentoGO center and schedule an appointment when appropriate.
5. Bring acceptable identification. Follow the fingerprinting provider’s official identification rules.
6. Pay the applicable fee. For the DHS process, employee and foster/adoptive parent checks cost $27.95 and volunteer checks cost $25.95 as of October 1, 2026.
7. Provide the results as instructed. The method of access or delivery depends on the applicable agency and clearance program.

How to Get a Free PA Criminal Record Clearance for Volunteering

Pennsylvania provides free State Police criminal-history clearances for qualifying unpaid volunteers.

Applicants should use the New Volunteer Record Check option on PATCH rather than the standard paid employment application.

Steps to request a volunteer criminal record check

1. Confirm you are applying for an eligible volunteer position. The free check is for qualifying unpaid volunteer activity, not general employment screening.
2. Open the PATCH website. Go to the official Pennsylvania State Police criminal-history portal.
3. Choose New Volunteer Record Check. Do not choose the ordinary paid check unless the volunteer exemption does not apply.
4. Enter the required details. Provide accurate requester, organization and subject information.
5. Submit the volunteer request. Follow the service’s certification and eligibility statements.
6. Save the control number. Use it later to retrieve the result.
7. Print the final certificate. Once PATCH completes processing, download the volunteer-purpose clearance.

How often is a free volunteer clearance available?

Pennsylvania government volunteer guidance explains that qualifying volunteers may obtain the free criminal-history and Child Abuse History clearances once every 57 months.

Separate renewal requirements may apply to the organization’s clearance obligations.

Can you use a free volunteer clearance for paid employment?

No. Pennsylvania Department of Education explains that volunteer-purpose criminal-history and Child Abuse History certifications are restricted to volunteer use.

If you later apply for a paid role, you may need to obtain the appropriate employment-purpose clearance.

Do all Pennsylvania volunteers need FBI fingerprints?

No. The FBI requirement depends on the particular volunteer role and statutory conditions.

For some child-contact volunteer positions, a person who has lived continuously in Pennsylvania for the preceding ten years may qualify to use a written affirmation rather than obtaining a new FBI fingerprint certification.

Volunteers who do not satisfy the applicable residency condition may need fingerprinting unless another statutory exception applies.

Always confirm the correct rule with the organization and the relevant state agency.

How Long Is a PA Criminal Record Clearance Valid?

For Pennsylvania school and child-contact positions governed by the relevant laws, clearances generally must be renewed at least every 60 months (five years).

Some licensing agencies, employers or programs can impose more frequent requirements.

Can you reuse a previous Act 34 clearance?

For some Pennsylvania school and volunteer situations, previously issued clearances can be used within the applicable statutory period.

However, the receiving organization must determine whether the certificate is acceptable for the intended purpose.

A certificate issued for unpaid volunteer activity should not be reused for paid employment.

How do you renew an expired PATCH clearance?

Return to the official PATCH website and submit a new record-check request using the appropriate purpose.

Do not assume that logging in and printing an old result changes its original issue date.

How to Search Pennsylvania Criminal Court Records for Free

If you want to check the criminal cases behind a State Police result, the Pennsylvania Judiciary provides a separate free public court search.

The Unified Judicial System Web Portal allows public access to available criminal docket sheets from Courts of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts, plus relevant appellate court information.

How to search Pennsylvania criminal dockets

1. Open the UJS Case Information page. Choose the public court case search.
2. Select the court type. For major criminal prosecutions, choose Court of Common Pleas. For lower-court complaints or summary matters, choose Magisterial District Court.
3. Choose participant-name search. Enter the person’s first and last name.
4. Select the county. Choose Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, Chester or another county where the case was filed.
5. Choose the relevant docket type. Select Criminal, Traffic, Non-Traffic, Summary Appeal or another appropriate category.
6. Review the results. Identify the full docket number and case details.
7. Open the docket sheet. Look for charges, hearing entries, pleas, dismissals, judgments and sentencing information.
8. Contact the original court when necessary. For certified documents or inaccessible historical records, follow the filing court’s records procedure.

Common Pennsylvania criminal docket prefixes

Is a UJS court docket a criminal record clearance?

No. The Pennsylvania Judiciary explicitly states that public docket sheets should not be used in place of a State Police criminal-history background check.

An employer or licensing agency requiring Act 34 clearance normally needs the correct State Police report, not a UJS screenshot showing no criminal cases.

How to Get Your Complete Pennsylvania Criminal Record Through Access and Review

People who want to examine their own Pennsylvania criminal history more completely should consider the Pennsylvania State Police Individual Access and Review procedure.

This process is separate from obtaining an Act 34 employment clearance.

Why would you request an Access and Review record?

• To examine your own reported Pennsylvania arrests
• To review cases that did not result in conviction
• To identify incorrect or missing dispositions
• To prepare for a criminal record expungement petition
• To review information before requesting a pardon or other legal relief
• To determine which state agency may need to correct a record

How to obtain the personal record

1. Download Form SP 4-170. Use the official State Police Individual Access and Review form.
2. Complete the identifying information. Enter your legal name, prior names and other details requested by the form.
3. Include a copy of government-issued photo identification. Follow the current identification instructions.
4. Include the $20 processing payment. Use a certified check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
5. Include representation documents if applicable. Legal representatives must follow the appropriate authorization rules.
6. Mail the completed packet. Send it to Central Repository – RCPU at the address below.
7. Review the returned report. Check the arrest information, charges and dispositions for errors.

Can You Get a PA Criminal Record Cleared or Expunged?

If your goal is to remove or restrict a criminal record rather than obtain a clearance certificate, Pennsylvania has separate legal processes for expungement and Clean Slate limited access.

An ordinary PATCH background check does not erase or seal a record. Likewise, receiving a No Record certificate is not the same as obtaining a court order expunging a prior arrest.

How to start a Pennsylvania criminal record expungement

1. Request your personal State Police Access and Review record using Form SP 4-170.
2. Find the criminal case docket and final disposition.
3. Review whether the arrest or conviction qualifies for expungement or limited-access relief.
4. Contact the Clerk of Courts where the case occurred.
5. Follow the appropriate petition, filing and notice requirements.
6. Obtain the final signed court order if relief is granted.
7. Confirm the relevant court and criminal-history agencies process the order.

What if a criminal history report contains a record that was already expunged?

First obtain the final signed expungement or limited-access order and confirm which agencies were required to receive it.

If the official criminal-history repository has not reflected the court’s order, contact the court clerk and State Police through their authorized record-review or correction procedures.

For errors in an employment background screening report prepared by a consumer reporting company, follow the company’s dispute procedure as well.

PA Criminal Record Clearance Problems and How to Fix Them

The following issues are common when requesting a Pennsylvania State Police criminal-history certificate.

How to report an incorrect criminal-history result

If you believe the State Police report contains an incorrect disposition, begin by obtaining the relevant certified court document.

For example, if a case was dismissed but the criminal-history report does not reflect the dismissal, request the court’s signed dismissal or disposition document.

Follow the Pennsylvania State Police instructions for reviewing and correcting the underlying record.

Can a criminal record prevent employment?

A returned criminal history does not automatically mean every employer must reject the applicant.

The effect depends on the position, applicable Pennsylvania and federal law, any statutory disqualification, and the employer’s lawful assessment.

For employment screening, the Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act and potentially the Fair Credit Reporting Act can impose requirements on how criminal-history information is obtained and used.

Applicants should not assume that the words Record or Under Review constitute a universal employment ban.

Other Pennsylvania and Federal Criminal Records Resources

Pennsylvania county criminal court files

If a PATCH result refers to a specific criminal conviction, search the corresponding Common Pleas court docket and request the final judgment from the county Clerk of Courts.

The official judiciary directory includes Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, Chester, Lancaster, York, Berks, Dauphin and every other Pennsylvania county.

Official Pennsylvania Clerks of Courts Directory

Pennsylvania state prison records

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections provides an Inmate and Parolee Locator for qualifying state correctional and supervision records.

Pennsylvania State Inmate and Parolee Search

Pennsylvania Megan’s Law Registry

The Pennsylvania State Police operates a separate public sex offender registration database. This is not a complete criminal-history clearance system.

Official Pennsylvania Megan’s Law Registry

Federal criminal-history records

PATCH searches Pennsylvania criminal-history information; it does not serve as a complete national or FBI criminal-history check.

For your own FBI Identity History Summary, use the FBI’s official personal-record request service.

FBI Identity History Summary Checks

For federal criminal court cases, use PACER.

Federal Court Case Search Through PACER

Official Pennsylvania Criminal Record Clearance Forms and Resources

The following Pennsylvania government and judiciary websites provide the official applications, fee schedules, certificate procedures and clearance requirements discussed in this guide.

• Pennsylvania State Police – Official PATCH Criminal History Clearance
• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – Request a Criminal History Background Check
• Pennsylvania State Police – PATCH Instructions, Results and Verification
• PA Department of Education – Act 34 Criminal History Clearance
• PA Department of Education – All School Employment Clearances
• PA Department of Education – Clearance and Volunteer FAQs
• PA Department of Human Services – State Police Criminal Background Check
• Pennsylvania Child Welfare Portal – Child Abuse History Clearance Application
• PA DHS – Child Abuse Clearance Costs and Application Process
• PA DHS – FBI Fingerprinting and October 2026 Fees
• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – FBI Criminal History Clearance
• PA DHS – Required Child-Contact Background Clearances
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Certification and Renewal Requirements
• PA DCNR – Volunteer Background Clearance Guidance
• Pennsylvania Judiciary – Free Public Criminal Court Case Search
• Pennsylvania Judiciary – Court Docket Access and Restrictions
• Pennsylvania Judiciary – County Clerk of Courts Directory
• Pennsylvania State Police – Apply for Criminal Record Expungement
• Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act – Title 18, Chapter 91
• Federal Trade Commission – Employment Background Check Rights
• FBI – Personal Identity History Summary Requests