Access Information for Contractors & Vendors

Vendors and Contractors

The IDEAL Department supports a smooth onboarding process for all outside contractors and vendors working on Lehigh University property. To comply with university policy, all contractors and vendors must complete the background check process and obtain a Lehigh Access ID card before beginning work on campus.

Step 1: Complete a Background Check

All employees who will be working on Lehigh property must complete a background check through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) website.
Website: PA State Police – PATCH

Instructions:

• Electronically request your background check and save or print the completed Background Certification.
• Include your company name and company phone number on the submission.
• Only background checks completed within one year of the submission date will be accepted.
• Ensure the certification includes the Pennsylvania State Seal in the background.

Step 2: Submit Your Background Check

Submit your completed background check to the Lehigh University Police Department (LUPD).

• Email: Lehigh Campus Safety
• Drop off: hard copies can be dropped off at the police station in person, M-F 8am - 3pm.
• Processing Time: Allow up to 72 hours (3 business days) for review.

Important:

• LUPD will not call to confirm your clearance status.
• Once your background check has been reviewed and cleared, you will receive an email confirmation with next steps.
• If there are any discrepancies or issues, LUPD will contact you directly.

Step 3: Submit an Employee Photo

Submit a color photo of each employee prior to arrival on campus.

Photo Submission Guidelines:

• Send all photos as .jpg files via email to inideal@lehigh.edu.
• Do not send photos of driver’s licenses.
• Photos must be a color, head-and-shoulders image of the employee facing the camera against a plain background.
• We cannot accept photos that make it difficult to determine identity.
• The IDEAL Department reserves the right to refuse, crop, or edit photos for quality or content issues.
• Recommended image size: minimum 400 × 400 pixels, maximum 800 × 800 pixels.

Step 4: Obtain Your Lehigh Access ID Card

• Once your background check has been cleared and your photo submitted, you will receive an email with instructions on how and when to pick up your Access ID card.
• A valid driver’s license or other accepted form of identification must be presented at the time of pickup.