Our automated tool looked twice for a record with the name and date of birth provided but couldn’t find one. There are many possible reasons why no record was found:
Your Record Is Sealed!
Some Records are sealed through an automated process, without you doing anything! If your record is sealed, the Screener cannot find it. To verify that your record is sealed, visit a criminal courthouse or order an Access and Review record. See “Was My Record Sealed?” below for more information.
Wrong Information
The Screener looked up your record using the name and date of birth you entered into the form. If your record is under another name, you can fill out our screener form again with that name and date of birth.
If you aren’t sure, you should try to find your record using our tips below. Once you find your record ,you can fill out our Screener form again with the name and date of birth that appear on your record. See “Troubleshooting Tips” below for more information.
If you cannot find your record after trying our tips, seek legal help.
Wrong Type of Record
This Screener can only find adult Pennsylvania criminal records. It cannot find federal criminal records, records from other states, or juvenile records. Seek legal help if you have these types of records.
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Was My Record Sealed?
In Pennsylvania, certain records are sealed through Clean Slate automation – without you having to do anything! A sealed record is not available to the public, so that means our automated tool will not be able to find it.
The following records are eligible to be sealed through Clean Slate automation:
- Non-convictions (charges were dropped or found Not Guilty)
- Convictions to summary charges, 5 years ago or more.
- Convictions to three or fewer cases of minor misdemeanors (M2, M3, or M), 7 years ago or more.
- Conviction to one case with a drug-related felony, 10 years ago or more.
If this describes your record, congratulations! Learn more about the benefits of sealing.
You Can Access Your Own Sealed Record
You have the right to see your entire record, including any cases that are sealed.
To make sure that your record is sealed, you can go to any criminal courthouse and visit the record clerk’s desk. Ask to see your full criminal record, including your sealed cases. Bring your photo ID with you! You will need to prove who you arebefore you can see the record.
You can also request a copy of your criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police by submitting an “Access and Review” request. Complete and print the form and mail it to the address listed on the form, along with a money order or certified check for $20, payable to “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania”. Also include a copy of your driver’s license or state ID (or any other government issued photo ID).
How to Find Your Criminal Record: Troubleshooting Tips
Some records are not eligible for sealing, including serious and recent convictions. If you were recently convicted of a crime in Pennsylvania, or if you have serious convictions in Pennsylvania, then you should try again to find your record.
Remember that the Clean Slate Screener can only find adult Pennsylvania criminal records. It cannot find federal criminal records, records from other states, or juvenile records.
If you believe you have a Pennsylvania criminal record that is not sealed, it is possible that the information on your record is under a different name, a misspelled name, or an incorrect date of birth.
You can try to locate your own record at the UJS Portal. Search by “Participant Name.” Enter a “Date Filed State Date” and “Date Filed End Date.” You can use 01/01/1900 as the start date, and today’s date as the end date. Enter the first and last name that is on your record, and your date of birth. Click “Search.” Click on the courthouse icon to see your record. If you don’t see your record, try searching without your date of birth or using just the first two letters of your first and last name to open a wider search. Once you find your record, you can fill out the Clean Slate Screener form again with the name and date of birth on your record.
If you are still unable to find your record, we recommend you reach out to a qualified lawyer or legal services organization to be sure. To find free legal help, visit PA Law Help. Enter the location where you were arrested, choose “Employment” as your legal topic, and then choose “Criminal Records Expungement, Record Sealing & Pardons.”
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