Use PATCH for the Pennsylvania State Police criminal-history clearance
Pennsylvania’s official state criminal-history clearance is issued through the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository. The fastest route is the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History system, commonly called PATCH. A standard PATCH check is different from a court-docket search, a Child Abuse History Certification, and an FBI fingerprint clearance, so the correct application depends on why you need the record.
Before applying, make sure you are ordering the right Pennsylvania check
Pennsylvania uses several different types of “clearances.” They are not interchangeable. A job, school, child-care organization, adoption agency, licensing body or volunteer organization may require one or several different checks.
PATCH criminal-history check
Pennsylvania State Police criminal-history clearance based on records maintained by the PSP Central Repository.
Individual Access & Review
Your own more complete Pennsylvania criminal-history record, including convictions and non-convictions maintained by PSP.
Fingerprint check
Fingerprint-based FBI criminal-history clearance used when a Pennsylvania law or agency specifically requires it.
Child Abuse History Certification
Separate Pennsylvania Department of Human Services clearance. It is not issued by PATCH.
How the Pennsylvania PATCH criminal-history clearance works
The Pennsylvania State Police established Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) so individuals, businesses, organizations and agencies can request Pennsylvania criminal-history background checks.
The information entered by the requester is compared against the criminal-history database maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository.
Open official PATCHHow to request a Pennsylvania criminal record clearance online
Open the official PATCH site
Use the Pennsylvania State Police PATCH website rather than a private background-check site.
Select “Submit a New Record Check”
Individuals are treated as non-registered users. Businesses and agencies that routinely request clearances may qualify to establish a registered-user account.
Enter requester information
PATCH asks for the person making the request and the subject whose Pennsylvania criminal history is being checked.
Enter the subject’s identifying details carefully
Use the correct full legal name, date of birth and other requested identifying information. Incorrect details can delay the search or create matching problems.
Choose the correct purpose
The reason for the request matters. Standard employment, volunteer, adoption, visa and personal-review needs can involve different forms or clearance combinations.
Pay the applicable fee
Standard online requests currently cost $22. Eligible volunteer requests are free.
Save the control number
The control number is important if the request is not completed immediately or if you later need to validate or retrieve the certificate.
Print or save the completed certificate
When PATCH shows the final result, open the certificate and keep a copy for the employer, organization or agency requesting the clearance.
“No Record,” “Record” and “Request Under Review” explained
PATCH does not always provide the same immediate response. Understanding the status can prevent unnecessary worry.
| Status | What it means | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| No Record | The information submitted did not produce a reportable match in the PSP check. | Open and print the certificate. |
| Request Under Review | The submitted identifiers matched information that requires manual review. | Wait for PSP to complete the review and check the status later. |
| Record | PSP determined that the request returns a criminal-history record under the applicable search. | Review the certificate carefully and verify court dispositions when necessary. |
| No Items Found | The status-search information was likely entered incorrectly. | Re-enter the control number, request date and name exactly as originally submitted. |
PSP reports that a large majority of straightforward “No Record” requests can be returned immediately. Requests requiring investigation can take approximately two to four weeks.
Current Pennsylvania criminal-record clearance fees
| Request type | Current fee | How to request | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard PSP criminal-history check | $22 | PATCH online or SP 4-164 by mail | Pennsylvania records only. |
| Notarized standard check | $27 total | Follow PSP notarized-request procedure | Not every clearance purpose needs notarization. |
| Qualifying volunteer PSP check | Free | PATCH or SP 4-164A | Must be for qualifying unpaid volunteer use. |
| Individual Access & Review | $20 | SP 4-170 by mail | For the subject’s own record; not for employment purposes. |
Fees can change. Verify the current amount on the Pennsylvania State Police criminal-history service page before mailing payment or submitting a clearance.
Pennsylvania volunteer criminal-history clearances are free
Pennsylvania State Police currently waives the normal criminal-history fee for qualifying unpaid volunteers.
The volunteer request can be submitted through PATCH or by using Form SP 4-164A.
Request volunteer check online Open SP 4-164APSP’s volunteer clearance cannot be notarized under the current clearance rules.
How to request the clearance by mail
If you cannot use PATCH online, Pennsylvania State Police accepts Form SP 4-164 by mail for an ordinary criminal-history record check.
Open Form SP 4-164Complete the requester section
Enter the mailing address where PSP should return the result.
Complete the subject information
Enter the person’s first, middle and last name, DOB and other requested identifiers.
Select the reason for the request
Options on the current form include employment, adoption, visa and other purposes.
Include the correct payment
For an ordinary mail request, use the payment method required by the form. PSP instructs mail requesters not to send cash or a personal check.
Mail it to the Central Repository
Use the exact Central Repository address printed on the current PSP form.
Mail standard SP 4-164 requests to
Pennsylvania State PoliceCentral Repository – 164
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758
When do you need a notarized Pennsylvania clearance?
An ordinary Pennsylvania criminal-history clearance does not automatically require notarization. Some purposes—particularly certain international or formal-document uses—may require a notarized result.
PSP currently charges an additional $5 for an eligible notarized criminal-history check, bringing the standard total to $27.
Before paying for notarization, confirm with the agency receiving the clearance whether a notarized certificate is actually required.
Use Individual Access and Review when you need your complete Pennsylvania record
A standard PATCH clearance and an Access and Review request are not identical.
PSP defines Access and Review as a review of an individual’s entire Pennsylvania criminal record maintained by the Central Repository, including convictions and non-convictions.
This option is especially useful when:
- you want to see exactly what PSP has on your record
- you believe an arrest or disposition is wrong
- you are preparing an expungement petition
- an attorney needs the full record for a proceeding
- you are considering a pardon or partial expungement
- you need to identify old arrest information
Current Access and Review requirements
- Form SP 4-170
- $20 certified check or money order
- copy of government-issued photo ID
- legal affidavit or representation letter when applicable
- mail submission to PSP Central Repository – RCPU
What information does a Pennsylvania PSP criminal-history check use?
PATCH searches information maintained in the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository. PSP defines criminal-history record information as information collected by criminal-justice agencies arising from the initiation of a criminal proceeding.
That can include information concerning:
- arrests
- indictments
- criminal informations or formal charges
- court dispositions
- sentences
- other qualifying Pennsylvania CHRI
The exact information disclosed in a particular clearance can depend on the type of request and Pennsylvania criminal-history law.
A Pennsylvania PATCH clearance is not a nationwide FBI check
Pennsylvania State Police expressly states that PATCH and mail-in PSP criminal-history requests are checked against Pennsylvania law-enforcement criminal-history records only.
Pennsylvania CHRI
Criminal-history information maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository.
Federal / FBI records
A PATCH clearance is not automatically an FBI fingerprint-based criminal-history check.
Other states
A Pennsylvania check does not automatically provide comprehensive criminal history from every other state.
Use Pennsylvania court dockets when you need the actual case
A PATCH clearance is a criminal-history background check. It is not a substitute for reading the actual criminal case docket.
Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System provides a free UJS Case Search covering public information from:
- Criminal Courts of Common Pleas
- Magisterial District Courts
- Philadelphia Municipal Court
- Supreme, Superior and Commonwealth appellate courts
Useful UJS search fields
Depending on the case type, Pennsylvania’s case-search system supports identifiers such as:
- participant first and last name
- docket number
- date of birth
- county
- OTN / offense tracking number
- complaint or incident number
- SID
- arresting agency
Why a court case may not appear publicly
UJS states that certain information is intentionally excluded from public search results, including some juvenile, expunged and limited-access cases.
When an FBI fingerprint clearance is required
Some Pennsylvania jobs, volunteer roles, child-care settings, foster/adoptive placements and regulated occupations require an FBI fingerprint-based background check in addition to the PSP clearance.
Pennsylvania currently contracts with IDEMIA / IdentoGO for digital fingerprinting. Applicants must use the service code associated with the agency or clearance purpose.
Determine the correct agency and service code
Do not register using a random service code. DHS, Education and other Pennsylvania programs can have different fingerprint purposes.
Pre-register with IdentoGO
Register online or by phone before appearing for fingerprinting.
Bring acceptable identification
The fingerprint provider requires an accepted identity document.
Have fingerprints captured electronically
Results are routed according to the Pennsylvania agency and statutory purpose of the check.
The Child Abuse History Certification is a separate clearance
Pennsylvania’s Child Abuse History Certification is administered by the Department of Human Services, not Pennsylvania State Police PATCH.
If a job or volunteer organization asks for child-protection clearances, verify whether you need:
- PSP Criminal History Record Check
- PA Child Abuse History Certification
- FBI fingerprint clearance
Using a Pennsylvania criminal-history clearance for employment
Employers may request Pennsylvania criminal-history checks through PATCH, but criminal-record use for hiring can be governed by Pennsylvania’s Criminal History Record Information Act and other federal, state or local employment laws.
The Pennsylvania UJS portal specifically warns employers not to substitute public docket-sheet information for a Pennsylvania State Police criminal-history background check.
If the employer specifically requests a PSP clearance, provide the PATCH certificate rather than simply printing a court docket search.
How to validate a PATCH certificate
Pennsylvania State Police allows a “No Record” or “Record” certificate to be validated using the PATCH Record Check Status system.
You will generally need:
- PATCH control number
- subject’s name exactly as entered
- date the request was submitted
What to do if the Pennsylvania criminal record appears wrong
If you believe your criminal-history information is inaccurate or incomplete, first obtain the underlying information and identify where the error originated.
Common issues include:
- a court disposition was not reported correctly
- a dismissed charge still appears without the correct outcome
- identity information was matched incorrectly
- an arrest entry is incomplete
- a court record and PSP history do not match
If the error is on a Pennsylvania court docket rather than the PSP criminal-history record, the Unified Judicial System says a party or the party’s attorney should submit a correction request to the court where the case was filed.
How Pennsylvania criminal-record expungement begins
Pennsylvania State Police directs people seeking expungement to begin by obtaining their criminal-history information through Form SP 4-170.
Request Access and Review
Complete SP 4-170 and send the current $20 fee, photo ID and any required legal-representation document.
Receive the full Pennsylvania arrest record
PSP mails the record maintained by the Central Repository.
Contact the Clerk of Courts
Contact the county where the arrest or case occurred for instructions on the applicable court petition process.
Obtain the qualifying court order
PSP updates or expunges records after receiving the proper court order through the authorized process.
Why a Pennsylvania case may disappear from the public court search
Pennsylvania court records can become unavailable to ordinary public users because of expungement, juvenile confidentiality, limited-access treatment or another legal restriction.
The UJS public case-search page specifically says that some:
- juvenile cases
- expunged cases
- limited-access cases
- other restricted case information
will not display publicly even when the user enters correct search information.
Pennsylvania State Police criminal-record clearance contact information
PATCH Help Line
Phone: 1-888-783-7972
PSP currently lists help-line hours as Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
PSP Records & Identification
Pennsylvania State Police1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110
SP 4-164 destination
Pennsylvania State PoliceCentral Repository – 164
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758
SP 4-170 destination
Pennsylvania State PoliceCentral Repository – RCPU
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758
Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository location
The Central Repository address used on PSP criminal-history forms is at 1800 Elmerton Avenue in Harrisburg. Most applicants should still use PATCH online or follow the mail instructions on the appropriate form rather than visiting without confirming that an in-person visit serves their specific need.
Pennsylvania clearance tips that prevent common delays
Keep the control number
Save it immediately. You need it to track or validate the request later.
Under Review is not a hit
Do not tell an employer or volunteer organization that a record exists simply because the request entered review.
Use the exact legal name
Accurate identifying information reduces matching and manual-review problems.
Print the certificate
Do not assume the requesting organization can retrieve your completed PATCH result automatically.
Volunteer? Do not pay $22 unnecessarily
If the request qualifies for Pennsylvania’s unpaid-volunteer fee waiver, use the volunteer clearance path.
Need your whole record?
Use SP 4-170 instead of assuming the ordinary employment clearance shows everything PSP maintains.
Need case details?
Move from PATCH to the UJS docket system to review the actual Pennsylvania court case.
Need nationwide history?
PATCH is Pennsylvania-only. Use the specific FBI or multi-jurisdiction process required for your purpose.
Clearance for children?
Confirm whether PSP, child-abuse and FBI clearances are all required before submitting only one.
Common questions about Pennsylvania criminal-record clearances
1. How much does a Pennsylvania criminal-history clearance cost?
The Pennsylvania State Police currently charges $22 for a standard criminal-history record check. An eligible unpaid-volunteer check is free. A standard check that requires eligible notarization costs $27 total.
2. Where do I apply for a Pennsylvania criminal-record clearance?
Use the Pennsylvania State Police PATCH website for the fastest online process. A standard paper application can also be mailed using Form SP 4-164.
3. What does “Request Under Review” mean in PATCH?
It means the submitted identifying information requires manual review. Pennsylvania State Police specifically states that an Under Review result does not mean the person necessarily has a criminal record.
4. How long does a PATCH clearance take?
Many No Record searches are completed immediately. Requests requiring manual review may take approximately two to four weeks according to current PSP guidance.
5. Is a volunteer Pennsylvania criminal-history check free?
Yes, qualifying unpaid volunteers can receive the Pennsylvania State Police criminal-history clearance without the standard $22 fee. The volunteer request must be submitted for the qualifying volunteer purpose.
6. Does PATCH include FBI criminal records?
No. Pennsylvania State Police states that PATCH searches Pennsylvania law-enforcement criminal-history records. An FBI fingerprint check is a separate process.
7. Is PATCH the same as the Pennsylvania court-record search?
No. PATCH is the Pennsylvania State Police criminal-history background-check system. Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System portal provides public court docket information. The courts themselves state that docket sheets should not replace an official PSP background check.
8. How do I see my complete Pennsylvania criminal history?
Use Form SP 4-170 for Individual Access and Review. PSP describes this as access to the individual’s entire Pennsylvania criminal record, including convictions and non-convictions maintained by the Central Repository. It is not an employment clearance.
9. Can I check whether a PATCH certificate is genuine?
Yes. Use the PATCH Record Check Status feature with the control number, request date and subject name as entered on the original request.
10. Do I also need an FBI or child-abuse clearance?
Possibly. Some Pennsylvania jobs, volunteer positions, schools, child-care roles, foster/adoptive placements and regulated activities require additional Child Abuse History and FBI fingerprint clearances. Follow the requirements of the agency or law applicable to your purpose.
Official Pennsylvania resources
- Pennsylvania State Police — Request a Criminal History Background Check
- Pennsylvania State Police — PATCH Overview
- Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History — PATCH
- Pennsylvania State Police — Form SP 4-164
- Pennsylvania State Police — Volunteer Form SP 4-164A
- Pennsylvania State Police — Individual Access and Review Form SP 4-170
- Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania — Case Search
- Pennsylvania Courts — Court Case Information
- Pennsylvania DHS — Clearances
- Pennsylvania DHS — FBI Criminal History Background Check
- Pennsylvania State Police — Criminal Record Expungement