Steps for PA Child Abuse Clearance 

3 Step Process: Apply Online, Check for Results, Print/Email 

  1. Go to https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home 
  2. Click Create Individual Account. Click next.  
  3. Fill in your information. Create a Keystone ID (you will make this up. You could use your first and last name then 23. For example: johnsmith22). Record your Keystone ID below. Be sure to use an email that you can easily check. A temporary password will be emailed to you within minutes. 
  4. Check your email for your temporary password (write down this password or “copy” this password to “paste” later).  
  5. Return to the original website (https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home) and click Individual Login. Then click Access My Clearances. Then Continue.  
  6. Type in the Keystone ID you created and the temporary password emailed to you.  
  7.  At some point it will prompt you to create your own password. Save your Keystone ID and password for use when renewing your clearances in 5 years. 
  8.  Click the “Create Clearance Application” button at the top of the page.  
  9. For Application Purpose, you will choose Volunteer (unless you are a paid staff member)
  10. Fill in your personal information and address on the next pages. Please use capital letters for the first letter of you first and last name.  
  11. Under Certificate Delivery Method, you can have a paper version mailed to your home, but it is not necessary. 
  12. Under Household Members, you do not have to fill in current age. 
  13. Review information to be sure it is correct.  
  14. Check the box and type your first and last name (as you entered it on the first page) into the signature box.  
  15. The next button should say “Finalize and Submit Application” 
  16. You should see a green Success box on the following screen. Now you can click the box that says “Go To PA Child Abuse History Clearance Account.” 
  17. When your clearance has gone through, a green box with a blue link will appear that says “To view the result, click here.” Click on the link to view your clearance.  
  18. This clearance can take a few minutes, a few days, or up to 2 weeks. If the clearance does not appear right away, refresh your web page in 1-2 minutes and see if the green box appears. If it doesn’t, check again the next day by going to the original website (https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home) and type in your Keystone ID and Password to check.  
  19. Save this document for yourself.  
  20. Print your clearance AND save and email it to claire.theater@gmail.com

Steps for PA State Police/Criminal Record Clearance 

2 Step Process: Apply Online & Print or Email Results 

  1. Go to epatch.pa.gov/home -- This is the Pennsylvania State Police check which can be processed online and the results typically are available immediately or within the same business day. If the results are not ready immediately, be sure to copy down the Control Number of your pending request. This, along with other personal information, is needed to obtain the results at a later time.  
  2. Click NEW VOLUNTEER RECORD CHECK 
  3. Enter your information.  
  4. On the Record Check Request Form page, enter your information again. You do not have an Identity Theft Number. It is recommended you enter your Social Security Number. Click Submit this Request.  
  5. After the request goes through, you will see a Control # in blue. Click on the number to access your results. Click on the blue link that says “Certification Form.” The Criminal Record Check form will show with a grayed out keystone shape. 
  6. Save this document for yourself.  
  7. Print and email this form claire.theater@gmail.com

Below you will see an example of what each of these clearances look like.

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