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.

Act 33 Child Abuse Form

• 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:

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.

FBI Clearance/Fingerprinting

Applicants MUST register prior to going to a fingerprinting site.  Registration can be completed either on the phone or online.

• The Website to register is www.pa.cogentid.com and is available 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
• Telephone registration is available at 1-888-439-2486, Monday through Friday, 8am to 6pm EST.
• Applicants may receive a confirmation number.
• The fee for the FBI clearance is $28.75 and can be made online with a credit card or by bringing a Money Order/Cashiers Check payable to "Cogent Systems" to the Fingerprinting site.  No cash or personal checks will be accepted.     
• After registering, applicants must visit an approved location to be fingerprinted. The nearest one to Duquesne is the UPS Store in Oakland.
• Be sure to bring a driver's license (or other acceptable form of ID listed below) to the fingerprinting location. This will be required to be fingerprinted.

Acceptable Identification:

1. State Government Issued Certificate of Birth
2. US Active Duty/Retiree/Reservist Military ID Card (00010-2)
3. Social Security Card
4. USCIS I-551 Resident Alien Card Issued Since 1997
5. USCIS I-688 Temporary Resident Identification Card
6. USCIS I-688B, I-766 Employment Authorization Card
7. Utility Bill (Address)
8. Voter Registration Card
9. Vehicle Registration Card/Title
10. Paycheck Stub with Name/Address
11. Cancelled Check or Bank Statement
12. School Identification Card with Picture
13. School Records
14. Employer Identification Card
15. Valid PA Learner's Permit 

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.