Act 33/Act 34: Criminal Background and Child Abuse History Clearances
You may be required to apply for your Act 33 and Act 34 clearances when working with children or vulnerable populations as part of a service-learning class. This Web page contains information to help you access the proper clearance applications and complete the application process.
- Print out the form. Complete Section 1 in its entirety using BLUE or BLACK ink. Please print legibly or your form may be returned unprocessed.
- Under “Applicant Identification” clearly print your name and CURRENT address (i.e. your school address, or where you commute to Duquesne from if you do not live on campus. NOT your permanent or parents' address. The address you put down will be where results are sent).
- Under “Purpose of Clearance” please check “School”.
- Complete the sections regarding previous addresses and household members and sign and date the application. These sections must be completed in their entirety or your form may be returned unprocessed.
- Send the completed application along with a $10.00 money order (do not send cash or a personal check) made payable to the Department of Public Welfare to:
| Childline and Abuse Registry Department of Public Welfare P.O. Box 8170 Harrisburg, PA 17105-8170 |
You will receive your clearance via mail at the address you listed under "Applicant Identification." It may take as long as 6 weeks to receive your clearances.
You may wish to make several copies of your clearances so that you have them for future requests.
Act 34 Criminal Record Check Form
To fill out the form online (a credit card is required):
- On the PA State Police webpage, use the PATCH System to process your check.
- On this page below where it says, “Welcome to Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History”, please click “Submit a New Record Check” under the heading “Credit Card Users”.
- On this page, please review the “Terms and Conditions for the use of PATCH”. Scroll to the bottom of the page. Here, by clicking the “Accept” button, you will move into the page to begin the process. If you click “Decline” you cannot go further and get your clearances online.
- From this point you will need to move through the remaining pages as directed to pay for and receive your clearance printout.
- You will receive the clearance printout after the application has been completed online unless there is a need for extensive research by the PSP.
You may wish to make several copies of your clearances so that you have them for future requests.
How to Obtain a Money Order
- Money orders can be purchased with cash, debit cards or travelers checks. Some places accept credit cards, as well, but some may not take debit cards or travelers checks. Cash is accepted everywhere.
- You can purchase money orders at U.S. post offices, most banks, and many grocery store customer service desks, convenience stores, and check-cashing businesses.
- Be prepared to pay anywhere from 50 cents to a $4.00 fee for the money order at most places (you can easily find places charging under $1.00 unless it's online). However, your bank might wave any fees.
