Pennsylvania Background Check & Apostille Guide

Issuing agency

Pennsylvania State Police (PATCH)

Steps to request and apostille your record

1. STEP 1Request Your Background Check

   • Request your Pennsylvania criminal background check through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system at epatch.pa.gov.
   • PATCH is an online, name-based system — no fingerprints required. Navigate to the PATCH site and select 'Submit a New Record Check.'
   • The fee is $22.00, payable online by Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express. Volunteer checks are free.
   • If you need a notarized copy for apostille purposes, add $5.00 for notarization through PATCH.
   • You can also submit a request by mail using form SP 4-164, available on the PATCH website. Include payment of $22.00 by money order or certified check payable to 'Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.'

2. STEP 2Receive Your Results

   • Online 'No Record' results are often returned immediately or within minutes.
   • If a record exists or the check requires additional review, processing may take 2-4 weeks.
   • Results must be retrieved by the requester via the PATCH website for online submissions. Print the results for your apostille submission.
   • The PATCH check covers Pennsylvania State Police criminal records only. It does not include federal or out-of-state records.

3. STEP 3Apostille Your Background Check

   • Submit your PATCH background check to the Pennsylvania Department of State (Secretary of the Commonwealth) for apostille.
   • The apostille fee is $15.00 per document.
   • Walk-in requests are processed while you wait. You can schedule an appointment for in-person document certification.
   • Mail-in submissions take approximately 2-3 weeks for processing (not including mail transit time). Standard processing time is about 5 business days.
   • Pennsylvania Department of State: Phone (717) 787-5280. Email: RA-CERTIFICATIONS@pa.gov.

4. STEP 4Translate via EcuadorTranslations.com

   • After your background check is apostilled, submit it to EcuadorTranslations.com for certified Spanish translation and notarization.
   • Cost: $150 per document ($130 per document when submitting 3 or more). Price includes notarization.
   • Turnaround: 3 business days.
   • Upload a clear, color scan (300 DPI minimum) of the full apostilled document — including the apostille certificate itself.

Apostille authority

Key notes

• PATCH is one of the fastest state background check systems — 'No Record' results are often returned instantly online.
• No fingerprints are required. The entire process can be completed online from home.
• For apostille purposes, consider getting your PATCH results notarized ($5.00 extra) before submitting for apostille. This adds an official seal that some apostille offices prefer.
• Walk-in apostille service is available by appointment and processed same-day. This is strongly recommended over mail-in to avoid the 2-3 week wait.
• The PATCH help desk is available at 888-783-7972, option #4 for assistance with online submissions.

Sources and verification