Obtaining Child Abuse Clearances from Another State

If you wish to adopt or foster a child or work in a child care setting in Pennsylvania, you are required to obtain child abuse clearances from every state where you have lived in the last five years.

Overview

Pennsylvania keeps kids safe

If you are a:

  • Employee or volunteer at a child care center or child care home;
  • Prospective foster or adoptive parent; or,
  • An individual 18 years of age or older living in a prospective foster or adoptive home

Prospective foster and adoptive parents, or any individual over 18 years of age residing in the home must submit their clearances prior to their approval.

And you have lived outside of Pennsylvania in the last five years, you must obtain child abuse clearances (or their equivalent) from every state where you previously resided.

If the state requires a request directly from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, please complete the appropriate application, including a check or money order to pay the fee, and send it in the mail to:

ChildLine Verification Unit
ATTN: Out of State Background Checks
P.O. Box 8053
Harrisburg, PA 17105

If the state requires the request come directly from the person themselves, please complete the appropriate application, including a check or money order to pay the fee, and send it directly to the address provided by that state.

CHILDLINE

Suspect Child Abuse? Report it.

If you suspect child abuse or neglect, call ChildLine. Mandatory reporters can report online through the Child Welfare Information Solution (CWIS) system.

Obtain Child Abuse Clearances from Another State

From Pennsylvania For Use in Another State

Clearances for Emergency Placements

  • Contact ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313
    Note: Only children and youth agencies from other states can make an emergency request for placement clearances.

Contact DHS

Clearance Verification Unit

Call the ChildLine Clearance Verification Unit if you have questions related to your out of state clearances.

Call DHS