A GUIDE TO OBTAINING CLEARANCES
Child Abuse History Clearance | Pennsylvania State Criminal Background History | FBI Clearance
PENNSYLVANIA CHILD ABUSE HISTORY CLEARANCEYour clearance may be obtained online through Pennsylvania’s Child Welfare Portal
This method is the most expedient in terms of obtaining results and the method encouraged by the Department of Welfare so that your results may be verified online. This method will require a credit card payment. The cost of the clearance is $10.00.
In your internet browser, type “www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis”
· Select “Create a New Account” (if you have not created an account previously)
· General Information will be shared
o Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Next”
· Profile Information will be requested (enter information)
o Enter requested information and click “Finish”
· Check your email account for your temporary password
· Log into the Child Welfare Portal again and click “Login”
· Select “Access My Clearances”
o Read about the website and disclosure of personal information
o Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Continue”
· Enter your Keystone Key username and password (copy and paste your password from your email account)
o Click “Login”
· Set your Permanent Password
o Click “Submit”
o Click “Close Window”
· Log in to the Child Welfare Portal with your new password
· Review the Terms and Conditions
o Click on “I have read, fully understand and agree to the My Child Welfare Account Terms and Conditions”
o Click “Next”
· Review the “Disclosure of Personal Information”
o Click “Continue”
· Click “Create Clearance Application” – The information you will need:
o Addresses where you have previously lived since 1975
o Names of all individuals with whom you have lived to include parents, guardians, siblings, spouses, etc. since 1975
o Any previous names you have used or have been known by
o Credit/Debit Card information for a $10.00 application fee
· Click “Begin” found at the bottom of the page
· On the Application Purpose page
o Click “School Employment”
o Click “Next”
· Enter your “Applicant information”
· Enter your “Contact information”
o Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click “Next”
· Enter current address, mailing address and certificate delivery method
o Click “Next”
· Add previous addresses
o Click “Next”
· Add Household Members
o Click “Next”
· Review your “Application Summary”
· Enter your “Application Payment”
o Click “Next”
· Enter your “eSignature”
o Check the box certifying that the information is correct
o Enter your name in the signature box
o Click “Next”
· Application Payment
o Select “yes” or “no” to the question posed (when “no” is selected, you will be prompted to “Make a Payment”
· Click “Make a Payment”
o Enter your credit card information
o Scroll to bottom of page and click “Pay Now”
· Payment Completed
o Click “ Finalize and Submit Application”
· You will be prompted to check your email for a confirmation notification
o You may view or check the status of your application from the PA Child Abuse History Clearance Account” at any time
o Once your application has been processed, you will receive a notification via email to log in to your account and view the outcome/result of the application
o If you do not receive an email, contact the ChildLine and Abuse Registry’s Child Abuse History Clearance Unit at 1.877.371.5422
Send a copy of your PA Child Abuse History Clearance to Deb Larkin at BCIU.
PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE REQUEST FORCRIMINAL RECORD CHECK
You may obtain your Pennsylvania Criminal Background Clearance online.
In most cases, this method results instantaneously. It will require a credit card payment. The cost of the clearance is $10.00.
In your internet browser, type “https://epatch.state.pa.us”
· Scroll to the “Credit Card Users” section
o Select “Submit a New Record Check”
· Read the terms and conditions for the use of PATCH
o Scroll to the bottom of the page and select “Accept”
· Enter the required “Personal Information”
o Reason for Request: use the drop down arrow and select “School District”
o Click “Next”
· Personal Information Review (verify the information you entered)
o Click “Proceed”
· Enter the requested information contained on “ Record Check Request Form”
· Click “Enter this Request”
· Click “View Queued Record Check Requests(1)
· Record Check Request Review
o Click “Submit”
· Enter Credit Card Information
o Click “Next”
· Verify Credit Card Information
o Click “Submit”
· Record Check Request Results will appear after being processed
o Click “Control #” to view the details of your record check
· Click “Certification Form” to print the certification form for your records (you will not receive a copy in the mail)
o Click the printer icon
Please send a copy of this certificate to Deb Larkin at BCIU.
FBI CLEARANCERegistering online is your only method to obtain your FBI Clearance. You may pay via the use of a credit card or money order. The cost of the clearance is $27.00.
Register with Cogent Systems at “www.pa.cogentid.com”
· Select “Pennsylvania Department of Education”
· Within the Registration Information section, select “Register online”
· Check the box authorizing PDE to electronically disseminate your information to any school entity to which you apply
o Click “Continue”
· Applicant Registration for Department of Education
o Enter your Information
o Select your Payment Type (credit card or money order)
o Reason Fingerprinted: use the drop down arrow and select “Intermediate Units”
o Complete the remaining required fields
o Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click “Next”
· Verify Your Information
o Click “Next”
· Credit Card Payment information (if applicable)
o Click “Pay”
· Registration Complete
o Select “Print” and/or “Send E-Mail” to secure a record of your registration number
Or
You may call Cogent at 888.439.2486, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., (record your registration number)
Visit a FBI Fingerprinting Service Site
· Have your registration number with you along with your payment confirmation number or your $27.00 money order
· Have one of the following forms of identification with you:
o State-issued Driver’s License
o U.S. Active Duty/Retiree/Reservist Military ID Card (000 10-2)
o U.S. Passport
o College-issued Student ID
o INS 1-551 Resident Alien Card Issued since 1997
o INS I-688 Temporary Resident Identification Card
o INS I-688B, I-766 Employment Authorization Card
FBI Fingerprinting services are available at the following three (3) locations in Berks County:
Berks County Intermediate Unit
You are welcome to walk-in without an appointment, however, appointments are preferred. For directions and/or to schedule an appointment, visit BCIU’s website at www.berksiu.org
Address/Contact Information
1111 Commons Boulevard, Reading PA 19605
610.987.8264
Regular Hours of Operation
Monday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday through Friday: 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Scheduling an Appointment
o Visit BCIU’s website at www.berksiu.org/fingerprinting
o Scroll to the middle of the page and click on “Schedule an appointment at the BCIU”
OR
o You may call 610.987.8264 to schedule an appointment.
If you are unable to keep your appointment, please reschedule or cancel it as soon as possible.
Mail N Ship 4 U
You are welcome to walk in without an appointment
Address/Contact Information
96 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing PA 19610
610.376.3805
Regular Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Business Link Print, Pack and Ship Center
You are welcome to walk in without an appointment
Address/Contact information
314 West Main Street, Kutztown, PA 19530
610.683.9575
Regular Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Results should be available within 24-48 hours after your fingerprints are taken. In order to access your results, Deb Larkin at BCIU will need your registration id number that usually begins with PAE.
NOTESRegistration ID Number: ______
Appointment Date/Time: ______
A Guide to Obtaining Clearances, 2/13/2015Page 1