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Clean Slate Resource: Pennsylvania Sealing Guide
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:
What Offenses May Be Eligible for Automated Sealing?
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 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
Use the Community Legal Services Screener (Free)
Community Legal Services (CLS) offers a free online tool that helps people understand whether they may be eligible for Clean Slate record sealing (called “limited access”) or expungement.
Request Your Court Record from the Clerk of Courts
You may request a copy of your statewide criminal court record from any county Clerk of Courts, which can provide records for cases filed across Pennsylvania.
Request Your Official Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Record
An "Access and Review" is a report created by the Pennsylvania State Police of an individual's entire criminal record. It includes convictions as well as all non-convictions and sealed records. Any individual is permitted to request their own entire criminal record history.
For more information on any of the three steps above, see our Accessing Your Own Record Guide.
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.
More than 1.7 million Pennsylvanians have benefitted from Clean Slate.
FAQs About Clean Slate in Pennsylvania
What is The Clean Slate Initiative?
The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) is a national, bipartisan nonprofit organization that works to pass and implement automated record sealing legislation at the state and federal levels.
We aim to ensure people are no longer defined by their lower-level arrest and conviction records, and have the opportunity to contribute to their communities and build a better life.
What states have passed Clean Slate so far?
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington D.C.
What types of records are eligible for sealing under Clean Slate laws?
CSI has a set of minimum policy standards for Clean Slate laws. The criteria offer states the flexibility to work within their existing standards while exploring ways to expand eligibility.
CSI policy minimums include:
- Automation of record clearance;
- Automatic clearance upon eligibility of the record (noting that eligibility varies from state to state);
- Inclusion of arrest records;
- Inclusion of misdemeanor records; and,
- A strong recommendation for laws to include eligibility of at least one felony record.
How do Clean Slate laws work?
Successful automated record sealing has three main components:
1: Automated Sealing: Eligible records are sealed through automated, government-initiated processes.
2: Barrier Removal: Sealed records no longer appear on background checks, opening opportunity to access jobs, housing and education.
3: Notification & Awareness: Directly impacted people know their records are sealed and what that means for their lives.
Which states are already actively sealing records through an automated system?
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Pennsylvania
- Utah
- Virginia
How is record sealing different from expungement?
Record Sealing: Sealing a record means that it is not available for public view, but it still exists in the eyes of the law. Certain individuals, like law enforcement or government agencies, may still have access to sealed records in some situations. Additionally, impacted individuals can access their own sealed records by court order or request.
Expungement: Expungement is a legal process that allows for the removal of certain non-convictions and convictions from a person's record. After expungement, in most cases, it's as if the conviction never happened. The record is typically sealed from public view or deleted and can only be accessed in limited circumstances.
How can I get involved?
Point the person to the “Ways to Get Involved / Take Action” section.
