Rule 1915.3-2.Criminal Record or Abuse History.

Adopted August 1, 2013 · Last amended April 25, 2025 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 1915.3-2 requires each party in a custody case to file a confidential verification of any criminal record or abuse history, which the court considers for the child's safety.

Full Text of Rule 1915.3-2

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c)

(a) Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification.

(1) Confidential Document. A party’s filed Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification form shall be confidential and shall not be publicly accessible.

(2) Plaintiff or Petitioner. Contemporaneous with filing a custody action or a contempt proceeding, the plaintiff or petitioner shall:

(i) complete, sign, and file with the prothonotary a Criminal Record/ Abuse History Verification form for the party and any member of that party’s household, as provided in subdivision (c); and

(ii) serve the complaint, petition, or counterclaim on the defendant or respondent with:

(A) a copy of the filed Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification form; and

(B) a blank Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification form for the defendant or respondent to complete and file.

(3) Defendant or Respondent. After being served pursuant to subdivision

(a)

(2)

(ii) , the defendant or respondent shall:

(i) complete, sign, and serve on the plaintiff or petitioner the Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification form for the defendant or respondent and any member of that party’s household no less than one day prior to the initial in-person contact with the court or within 30 days of service of the initiating pleading, whichever occurs first; and

(ii) file the completed and signed Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification form at the initial in-person contact with the court or within 30 days of service of the initiating pleading, whichever occurs first.

(4) Updating Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification Form.

(i) For as long as a child is subject to the court’s jurisdiction and following the initial in-person contact with the court, a party shall complete, sign, and serve on the other parties an updated Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification form either five days after any change in circumstances, or no less than one day prior to any proceeding, whichever occurs first. If there is no pending proceeding, the party shall complete, sign, and serve on the other parties an updated Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification form five days after any change in circumstances. A party shall report a change in circumstances of the party and any of the party’s household members.

(ii) The updated Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification form shall be filed with the prothonotary within 14 days of any change in circumstances, or five days prior to any court proceeding, whichever occurs first.

(5) Sanctions. A party’s failure to file an initial or updated Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification form may result in sanctions against that party.

(b) Evaluation.

(1) Initial Evaluation. During the initial in-person custody proceeding, the judge, conference officer, conciliator, or other appointed individual shall evaluate whether a party or household member poses a threat to the child.

(i) In determining whether a party or household member poses a threat to the child or requires an additional evaluation or counseling, as provided in 23 Pa.C.S. § 5329(c)—(e), the judge, conference officer, conciliator, or other appointed individual shall consider:

(A) the party’s Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification form; and

(B) other information or documentation of the party’s or household member’s criminal record or abuse history that is provided by either party.

(ii) To the extent a party or household member has a criminal record relating to an enumerated offense in 23 Pa.C.S. § 5329(a) or an abuse history, the judge, conference officer, conciliator, or other appointed individual shall consider:

(A) the severity of the offense or abuse;

(B) when the offense or abuse occurred;

(D) whether the offense or abuse involved physical violence.

(2) Additional Evaluation or Counseling. If the initial evaluation set forth in subdivision (b)(1) determines that a party or household member poses a threat to the child, the conference officer, conciliator, or other appointed individual conducting the evaluation may recommend to the judge and the judge may order:

(i) a party or party’s household member to undergo an additional evaluation or counseling by a mental health professional appointed by the court; or

(ii) temporary custody pending the additional evaluation or counseling.

(c) Form. The verification regarding criminal record or abuse history shall be substantially in the following form: (Caption) 䊐 CRIMINAL RECORD / ABUSE HISTORY VERIFICATION 䊐 REPORT OF CHILD ABUSE AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES REQUESTED BY COURT (Court may use the first page of the parties’ criminal record/ abuse history verification or may complete a new form.) 1. Participants. Please list ALL members in your/the participant’s household and attach sheets if necessary: Relationship to Name Date of Birth Address Child(ren) Relationship to Name Date of Birth Address Child(ren) Party requests their residence remain confidential as they are protected by the Protection from Abuse Act, 23 Pa.C.S. § 6112, or the Domestic and Sexual Violence Victim Address Confidentiality Act, 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 6701—6713, or the Child Custody Act, 23 Pa.C.S. § 5336(b), or they are in the process of seeking protection under the same. Please list ALL members in the opposing party’s household and attach sheets if necessary: Relationship to Name Date of Birth Address Child(ren) Party requests their residence remain confidential as they are protected by the Protection from Abuse Act, 23 Pa.C.S. § 6112, or the Domestic and Sexual Violence Victim Address Confidentiality Act, 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 6701—6713, or the Child Custody Act, 23 Pa.C.S. § 5336(b), or they are in the process of seeking protection under the same. SUBJECT CHILD(REN)—Attach additional sheets if necessary: Name Date of Birth ***End of Page 1*** 2. Criminal Offenses. As to the following listed Pennsylvania crimes or offenses, or another jurisdiction’s substantially equivalent crimes or offenses, check the box next to any applicable crime or offense in which you or a household member: • has pleaded guilty or no contest; • has been convicted; • has charges pending; or • has been adjudicated delinquent under the Juvenile Act, 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 6301—6375, and the record is publicly available as set forth in 42 Pa.C.S. § 6307. You should also check the box next to a listed criminal offense even if the offense has been resolved by Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) or another diversionary program, unless it has been expunged pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, or a court has entered an order for limited access, e.g., Clean Slate, pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 9122.1 or 9122.2. Date of conviction, guilty plea, no contest Check Other plea, or all that household pending apply Crime Self member charges Sentence 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 25 䊐䊐 (relating to criminal homicide) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 2701 䊐䊐 (relating to simple assault) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 2702 䊐䊐 (relating to aggravated assault) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 2705 䊐䊐 (relating to recklessly endangering another person) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 2706 䊐䊐 (relating to terroristic threats) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 2709.1 䊐䊐 (relating to stalking) Date of conviction, guilty plea, no contest Check Other plea, or all that household pending apply Crime Self member charges Sentence 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 2718 (relating to strangulation) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 2901 䊐䊐 (relating to kidnapping) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 2902 䊐䊐 (relating to unlawful restraint) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 2903 䊐䊐 (relating to false imprisonment) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 2904 䊐䊐 (relating to interference with custody of children) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 2910 䊐䊐 (relating to luring a child into a motor vehicle or structure) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 30 䊐䊐 (relating to human trafficking) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 3121 䊐䊐 (relating to rape) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 3122.1 䊐䊐 (relating to statutory sexual assault) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 3123 䊐䊐 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse) Date of conviction, guilty plea, no contest Check Other plea, or all that household pending apply Crime Self member charges Sentence 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 3124.1 䊐䊐 (relating to sexual assault) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 3125 䊐䊐 (relating to aggravated indecent assault) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 3126 䊐䊐 (relating to indecent assault) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 3127 䊐䊐 (relating to indecent exposure) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 3129 䊐䊐 (relating to sexual intercourse with animal) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 3130 䊐䊐 (relating to conduct relating to sex offenders) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 3301 䊐䊐 (relating to arson and related offenses) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 4302 䊐䊐 (relating to incest) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 4303 䊐䊐 (relating to concealing death of child) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 4304 䊐䊐 (relating to endangering welfare of children) Date of conviction, guilty plea, no contest Check Other plea, or all that household pending apply Crime Self member charges Sentence 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 4305 䊐䊐 (relating to dealing in infant children) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 5533 䊐䊐 (relating to cruelty to animal) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 5534 䊐䊐 (relating to aggravated cruelty to animal) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 5543 䊐䊐 (relating to animal fighting) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 5544 䊐䊐 (relating to possession of animal fighting paraphernalia) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(b) 䊐䊐 or (b.1) (relating to prostitution and related offenses) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 5903(c) 䊐䊐 or (d) (relating to obscene and other sexual materials and performances) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301 䊐䊐 (relating to corruption of minors) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 6312 䊐䊐 (relating to sexual abuse of children) Date of conviction, guilty plea, no contest Check Other plea, or all that household pending apply Crime Self member charges Sentence 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 6318 䊐䊐 (relating to unlawful contact with minor) 䊐 18 Pa.C.S. § 6320 䊐䊐 (relating to sexual exploitation of children) 䊐 Finding of contempt 䊐䊐 of a Protection from Abuse order or agreement under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6114 䊐 Finding of contempt 䊐䊐 of a Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence and Intimidation order or agreement under 42 Pa.C.S. § 62A14 䊐 Driving under the 䊐䊐 influence of drugs or alcohol 䊐 Manufacture, sale, 䊐䊐 delivery, holding, offering for sale or possession of any controlled substance or other drug or device 3. Abuse or Agency Involvement. Check the box next to any statement that applies to you, a household member, or your child. Check all that Household apply Self member Child 䊐 Involvement with a children and youth 䊐䊐䊐 social service agency in Pennsylvania or a similar agency in another jurisdiction. What jurisdiction?: 䊐 A determination or finding of abuse (i.e., 䊐䊐䊐 indicated or founded report) by a children and youth social service agency or court in Pennsylvania or a similar agency or court in another jurisdiction. What jurisdiction?: 䊐 An adjudication of dependency involving 䊐䊐䊐 this child or any other child under Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Act, or a similar law in another jurisdiction. What jurisdiction?: Is the case active?: 䊐 A history of perpetrating ‘‘abuse’’ as that 䊐䊐䊐 term is defined in the Protection from Abuse Act, 23 Pa.C.S. § 6102. 䊐 A history of perpetrating ‘‘sexual violence’’ 䊐䊐䊐 or ‘‘intimidation’’ as those terms are defined in 42 Pa.C.S. § 62A03 (relating to protection of victims of sexual violence and intimidation). 䊐 Other 䊐䊐䊐 4. If you checked a box in (2) or (3), list any evaluation, counseling, or other treatment received as a result: 5. If you checked a box in (2) or (3) that applies to your household member, who is not a party, state that person’s name, date of birth, and relationship to the child. 6. If you are aware that the other party or the other party’s household member has a criminal record or abuse history, please explain: ONLY A PARTY CAN SIGN THIS FORM. IF A PARTY IS REPRESENTED BY AN ATTORNEY, THE ATTORNEY CANNOT SIGN THIS FORM ON BEHALF OF THE PARTY. I verify that the information above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, or belief. I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities. Date Plaintiff/Defendant Signature Printed Name I certify that this filing complies with the provisions of the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania that require filing confidential information and documents differently than non-confidential information and documents. Signature of Filer Printed Name

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Plain-English Summary

A child's safety turns on knowing the adults' histories. This rule requires each party to file a Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification, kept confidential, disclosing any criminal record or history of abuse. The court reviews it to assess risk and decide whether any custody arrangement needs safeguards to protect the child.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do custody parties have to disclose a criminal or abuse history?

Yes. Each party files a confidential verification of any criminal record or abuse history for the court to consider.

Official Note

Comment. : There is no obligation for the court to conduct an independent investigation of the criminal record or abuse history of a party or the party’s household member. The intent of subdivision (a)(4) is for the parties to have the most current information available, including after a final order—provided the child remains under the court’s jurisdiction. As used in subdivision (a), a ‘‘child custody action’’ is intended to include any action where custody is sought to be awarded, including a protection from abuse action. An Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification form is not required in a protection from abuse action if custody is not sought. See 23 Pa.C.S. § 5322 (defining ‘‘household member’’). For subdivision (c)(6), see Pa.R.Civ.P. 1930.5 (discovery in domestic relations matters) and Pa.R.E. 614 (court’s calling or examining a witness). Given the sensitive nature of the record, see Pa.R.Civ.P. 1930.1 (form of caption and applicability of the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania).

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 1915.3-2 adopted August 1, 2013, effective September 3, 2013, 43 Pa.B. 4702; amended May 14, 2014, effective in 30 days on June 13, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 3233; amended July 20, 2015, effective September 1, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 4158; amended August 9, 2024, effective August 13, 2024, 54 Pa.B. 5353; amended April 25, 2025, effective July 1, 2025, 55 Pa.B. 3342. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (420475) to (420481).

Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. · Official text

Also known as: criminal record custodyabuse history verificationcustody safety disclosure