Public Records Checks
The following clearances must be completed before an individual may begin working with children or youth and must be renewed every five years thereafter.
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
• Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Background Check* *
NOTES:
(1) Any individual who is either employed by the church OR has lived in Pennsylvania for fewer than 10 years must obtain an FBI check. Anyone who receives a salary or stipend is considered an employee. A volunteer who has lived in Pennsylvania for the past ten years or more may instead affirm a ten-year Pennsylvania residency by signing a Disclosure Statement for Volunteers. Form HERE
(2) FBI checks require fingerprinting, a process for which an appointment must be requested.
Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
Can be obtained through an online portal OR by submitting a paper form.
- Online Portal https://www.compass.dhs.pa.gov/cwis/public/home
- Paper Form: https://diobeth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/PA-Child-Abuse-History-Certification.pdf
ChildLine and Abuse Registry Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
PO Box 8170 Harrisburg, PA 17105-8170
Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check
Can be obtained through an online portal OR by submitting either a paper form. The online form is recommended as results are immediately available.
- Online Portal: https://epatch.pa.gov/home
- Paper Forms:
Volunteers: https://diobeth.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PSP-Volunteer-Mail-in-Form.pdf
Mail to: Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository – 164 1800 Elmerton Avenue Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758
FBI Criminal Background Check
Any individual who is either employed by the church OR has lived in Pennsylvania for fewer than 10 years must obtain an FBI check. A volunteer who has lived in Pennsylvania for the past ten years or more may instead affirm a ten-year Pennsylvania residency by signing a Disclosure Statement for Volunteers available here: HERE.
(Print, sign and submit to church contact).
FBI check can be obtained by visiting the IdentoGO website and entering one of the following service codes:
For clergy and lay employees: 1KG756
For vestry members and all other volunteers: 1KG6ZJ
At that site, it is possible to schedule an appointment at a nearby fingerprinting site. The site also lists the documents needed to facilitate processing.