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Does Your Pennsylvania Record Qualify for Clean Slate’s Automated Sealing?
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law automatically seals certain criminal records from public view, with no application required. As the first state in the country to pass Clean Slate in 2018, Pennsylvania has already sealed more than 1.7 million peoples’ records, opening doors to jobs, housing, and opportunity.
If you have a Pennsylvania arrest or conviction record, it may be eligible for automated sealing. This page explains who qualifies, how long the waiting periods are, and how to check whether your record has been sealed.
This information is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Viewing this page, submitting information through this website, or contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
The information on this page summarizes applicable Clean Slate laws and may not reflect all exceptions, limitations, or recent changes in the law. If you need legal advice about your particular situation, you should consult a licensed attorney or qualified legal services provider in your state.
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Which Records are Eligible for Clean Slate Sealing in Pennsylvania?
Wait times for record sealing generally apply as follows:
✔️ Non-conviction charges (dismissed, withdrawn, nolle prossed, or found not guilty): eligible immediately, sealed within 30 days.
✔️ Summary offense convictions: sealed automatically after 5 years.
✔️ Some misdemeanor convictions: eligible for sealing after 7 years of being conviction-free.
✔️ Qualifying drug felony convictions: eligible for sealing after 10 years of being conviction-free.
What Offenses May Be Eligible for Automated Sealing?
✔️ Disorderly Conduct
✔️ Harassment
✔️ DUI
✔️ Certain Theft and Related Offenses
✔️ Drug Possession
✔️ Drug Possession with Intent to Deliver (eligible unless a sentence of more than 30 months in prison was imposed)
✔️ Criminal Mischief
✔️ Trespassing
✔️ Resisting Arrest
✔️ Prostitution
✔️ And Other Charges
How to Check if Clean Slate Sealed Your Record
To check whether your record has been impacted by Clean Slate in Pennsylvania, follow these steps to access both your public-facing record and your complete law enforcement history.
Public vs. Complete Records
Public Record: What employers, landlords, and the general public see. Sealing removes records from here, so your record should not show up in most commercial background checks.
Non-Public Record (Access and Review): What police, courts, and certain state agencies see. Sealing does not remove records from here, so agencies such as police or prosecutors may still see your sealed record.
Step-By-Step Verification
Step 1: Use the free Clean Slate Screener.
Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, a non-profit legal services organization, provides a free automated tool that shows what is on your public record and whether it can be cleared.
Visit clsphila.org/my-clean-slate and fill out the form with your name, birthdate, and email address. You will receive an email within 24 hours with your public Pennsylvania criminal record and information on your clearing options.
Pro tip: If the screener finds no record, your cases may already be sealed.
Step 2: Access your complete record.
If Step 1 produces no record, or you need to see your sealed record(s), request individual access and review for your complete record.
Download and complete Form SP 4-170. The fee is $20, paid by certified check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Include a copy of a government-issued photo ID (front and back). Mail the form, payment, and ID copy to the Pennsylvania State Police.
Links to third-party organizations are provided for informational purposes only. We do not control or guarantee the accuracy, availability, or content of external websites.
How Sealing Helps You Move Forward
Jobs
Housing
Education
Family Stability
A sealed record generally is not public and should not appear in standard background checks. It cannot be used against you in jobs, housing, or school, and you do not have to carry the weight of your past forever.
Real Stories from Pennsylvania
Hear how Clean Slate laws helped remove barriers and open doors to new opportunities for these Pennsylvanians.
“I've been able to have two of my records sealed by Clean Slate in the last year. Recently, I applied for an apartment, and I was able to pass the background check and not have to answer questions or try to prove that I'm worth renting to.”
RICHARD, PENNSYLVANIA
“Having my record sealed gave me something I hadn't felt in years, room to breathe. It meant being seen for who I am today, not the mistakes I made in the past. For me, Clean Slate wasn't just a legal change; it was the chance to rebuild my future with dignity and hope.”
SJ, PENNSYLVANIA
How Clean Slate Works
Once a record becomes eligible, a government-initiated process seals it from public view, meaning it should no longer appear on background checks. That happens without you needing to file a petition. Here is how long it takes eligible records to become eligible for sealing:
Notes: The Department of Human Services and criminal justice agencies, including law enforcement and criminal courts, have access to sealed records. If restitution was ordered, it must be paid before your record can be sealed. The screener will tell you if you owe restitution.
Pennsylvania is Leading on Second Chances
Pennsylvania was the first state in the country to pass Clean Slate legislation, which automatically seals certain old, low-level records and helps people move forward.
✔️ Automated sealing began in June 2019.
✔️ As of 2025, more than 1.7 million people have had records sealed by Clean Slate.
✔️ In 2020, fines and fees were eliminated as a barrier to Clean Slate.
✔️ In 2023, eligibility was expanded to include certain felony convictions, and waiting periods were shortened for misdemeanor and summary convictions.
More than 1.7 million Pennsylvanians have benefitted from Clean Slate.
FAQs About Clean Slate in Pennsylvania
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Government agencies, partners, and advocates helping with outreach can connect with our implementation team for materials and support.
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