Clearances
Have you applied?
This information is for individuals who have indicated volunteer interest and completed an application. We recommend completing these steps before obtaining clearances.
Obtaining Clearances
Criminal Background Clearances
Volunteers are required to submit (3) different criminal history background clearances before beginning their volunteer duties. The three (3) clearances, which must all be current (within 4 years), include:
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
- Pennsylvania State Access To Criminal History (PATCH) Check
- FBI Criminal History Background Check
SVCASA will also run a National Sexual Offender Registry (NSOR) clearance.
For active CASA volunteers, background clearances are required to be updated every 4 years.
Time required: 2-3 weeks
Cost: Waived one time in a 5-year period*
Reason for request: Volunteer
- Go to https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home
- Login or Create a Keystone ID account
- This account will be used to check the status of your clearance application and for future website use.
- Once created, you will receive an email confirmation and temporary password; you must wait to receive this information before moving forward with your application.
- Click on the Child Welfare Portal link within your email.
- Return to https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home
- Select Login
- Select Access My Clearances
- Select Continue after scrolling down to the bottom of the page.
- Re-enter your Keystone ID and temporary password.
- You will then be prompted to create a permanent password.
- Once your permanent password is created, you will be redirected back to the login page.
- Enter your new password and Keystone ID.
- Agree to the Terms and Conditions
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Continue.
- Select Create Clearance Application.
- Follow the instructions outlined on the website to complete the application.
- Application purpose: Volunteer
- Volunteer Category: Other
- Agency Name: Susquehanna Valley CASA
- Complete application information screens.
- Review the application summary as displayed.
- Certify the application and provide your e-signature by typing in your first and last name ONLY
- Select Finalize and Submit Application.
What are the next steps of the process after I submit my application?
- You will receive a confirmation email once your application has been successfully submitted. Please save this confirmation email for your personal records as proof of submission.
- The PA Department of Human Services will process your application and you will receive email notification of the outcome within 14 days.
- Log in to your account to download your clearance certificate.
- Once you have received your clearance certificate, please email it to zfinn@susquehannavalleycasa.com or print it out and mail it to: PO BOX 885 Sunbury, PA 17801
If you have trouble accessing the Child Welfare Portal website at any point, please contact the DHS Help Line at 1-877-343-0494. Between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.
*If you have requested and received a Child Abuse Clearance as a volunteer within the last 57 months you will be required to pay a fee to DHS when requesting this clearance for CASA. Provide a copy of your payment receipt, along with your new clearance certificate, and CASA will reimburse you the fee.
Cost: Free for Volunteers
Reason for request: Volunteer - New Record Check
Online Application
Results are returned immediately if no record exists.
PA State Criminal History Record Check--Instructions
It is important to note that this clearance has two parts. The first entry of personal information is on behalf of the person checking for a record, which is you. The second entry of personal information is about the person you are checking on, which is also you. Items with red asterisks must be completed and cannot be left blank.
Each individual must obtain background certificates on his/her own behalf and freely submit this information to the Susquehanna Valley CASA program office in order to volunteer with children of any age.
- Go to: https://epatch.state.pa.us/home
- If given a list of options to choose from— Click the one that says Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History—Home in blue.
- You should now be directed to a page with the Pennsylvania State Police logo in the upper left corner.
- Select ‘New Record Check’ (Volunteers Only).
- Check the box to ‘Accept’ terms of service to proceed.
- You will see a screen with blanks asking for you to fill them in.
- For “Volunteer Organization Name,” please use Susquehanna Valley CASA.
- For “Volunteer Organization Telephone Number,” please use 570-988-2200.
- For the remaining blanks, please enter your personal information, including your home address, and preferred email and phone number.
- Please click ‘Next’ when you are done.
- The next screen will ask you to verify all of the information you just entered.
- Please click ‘Proceed’ if your entries are error-free.
- If you made a mistake, you are able to click ‘Back’ and correct your information.
- The next screen you see will ask for the personal information of the person you are checking for a record on (yourself).
- Re-enter your information.
- Select ‘Enter this Request’.
- The screen will reappear.
- Scroll down and select ‘View Queued Record Check Requests’.
- Click ‘Finished’ to complete the clearance.
- Verify your name, social security number, date of birth, sex, and race.
- Select ‘Submit’.
- Your name and a control number should appear.
- Click on the ‘Control Number’ next to your name.
- Click on ‘Certificate Form’ under your information.
- This will take you to your printable clearance.
- Please print or save your final certificate of clearance.
- Saved digital copies of the certificate can be emailed to zfinn@susquehannavalleycasa.com.
- Printed paper copies of the certificate can be mailed to SVCASA, PO Box 885, Sunbury, PA, 17801.
A fingerprint based federal criminal history (FBI) submitted through the Pennsylvania State Police or its authorized agent is required for all volunteers working with children in any capacity. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services now utilizes IDEMIA (IdentoGO) to process fingerprint-based FBI criminal background checks. The fingerprint-based background check is a multi-step process.
Cost: $23.25 for volunteers --CASA may reimburse under certain circumstances, and with complete receipts and payment records.
You must register and schedule an appointment before you arrive for fingerprinting. Registration is available online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Go to https://uenroll.identogo.com
- Enter service code - 1KG6ZJ
- Click "GO"
- Select "Schedule or Manage Appointment".
- Complete all sections of the form.
- Click "Next".
- Enter citizenship information.
- Click "Next"
- Answer the 3 personal questions.
- For the question that says: “Do you have an Authorization Code (Coupon Code) that you will be using as a method of payment?” Select NO and then click "Next"
- Continue entering personal information.
- Click "Next"
- Enter your current mailing address information.
- Click "Next".
- Select the required document that you will provide during fingerprinting for verification (i.e. Driver’s License, state id, etc.)
- Search for an Enrollment Center for a location for fingerprinting.
- Click "Next".
- Select Date and Select Time for fingerprinting appointment or checkbox for Walk-In (scheduled appointments take priority over walk-ins).
- Click "Submit".
- You will receive an email confirming your registration.
- Print your email confirmation and take it with you.
- Report to the IdentoGO location identified in the confirmation letter.
- DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (AS OUTLINED IN YOUR CONFIRMATION LETTER) TO CONFIRM YOUR IDENTITY.
Please note: Payment is required on site at the appointment. There is no option to pay ahead of time. You may pay with a business check, money order, or credit/debit card. Each individual needing a clearance will pay out-of-pocket and submit the required paperwork with their information. The registration confirmation letter is not accepted as evidence of payment by fingerprinting center staff, nor by Susquehanna Valley CASA. You must obtain an actual receipt for CASA to reimburse the expense.
Sample PATCH Clearance: Sample Child Abuse Clearance: Sample Fingerprint Clearance:
