Get a case number for the record you want to expunge or seal from the Criminal Clerk Office in the arresting county.

Not all records can be expunged or sealed. For example, serious felonies such as murder.

Disclaimer: Expungement and Sealing of records vary per state. For example, some driving violations automatically come off your record after a certain period of time; while others require petitioning the court.

Key Difference:

Expungement: The record is completely erased.

Seal: The record is “sealed” and can be opened under certain circumstances. However, employers are not allowed to see “sealed’ records.

Petitioning the Court (note, all below may vary per state and/or county)

Visit the self-help desk in the Criminal Clerk’s office and request any standard petitioning form. This form will ask questions about your case.

File your petition in person with the Clerk’s Office.

Fees for filing vary per county. You can request a fee waiver from the Clerk’s office.

All expungements/sealing are granted or denied by the Presiding Judge.

The following agencies are given notification of filing and can object within the legally provided time limits:

State’s Attorney’s Office

Arresting municipality

City Attorney’s Office for arresting municipality

State Police

If there is an objection to expungement or sealing

The petitioner will receive a copy of the objection via mail.

A court date is for hearing the objections by the Presiding Judge.

The petitioner will receive notification of the scheduled hearing date from the Clerk’s Office.

If no objection is filed, the expungement or sealing is granted. Petitioner is notified via the mail.