Expungement Petition Template – Free Download 2026

IN THE [____________] COURT OF [____________], STATE OF [____________]. IN RE THE PETITION OF [____________] FOR EXPUNGEMENT / SEALING OF CRIMINAL RECORD. Case No.: [____________]. PETITION FOR EXPUNGEMENT AND/OR SEALING OF CRIMINAL RECORD. Petitioner, [Full Legal Name] ("Petitioner"), hereby petitions this Court for an order expunging and/or sealing the criminal record(s) described below, and in support thereof states: Petitioner's full legal name is [____________]; date of birth: [____________]; current address: [____________]; Social Security Number (last four digits): [____________]; driver's license / state ID number: [____________].

The criminal record(s) that Petitioner seeks to have expunged or sealed are as follows: (1) Arrest Date: [____________]; Arresting Agency: [____________]; Charges: [____________]; Disposition: [Convicted of / Pled guilty to / Acquitted of / Charges dismissed: ____________]; Sentence: [____________]; Date Sentence Completed: [____________]; Case Number: [____________]; Court: [____________]. (2) [Additional records, if any: ____________]. Petitioner has no additional criminal history other than as disclosed herein [or: other than as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto].

Petitioner satisfies all statutory eligibility requirements for expungement / sealing under [applicable statute, e.g., [State] Penal Code § ____________ / [State] Code of Criminal Procedure § ____________] as follows: (a) Qualifying Offense(s): The offense(s) for which expungement is sought are eligible for expungement under applicable law because they are classified as [misdemeanor(s) / low-level felony(ies) / non-violent offense(s) / first offense(s) / other qualifying category: ____________], and are not among the offenses explicitly excluded from eligibility under [statute].

(b) Waiting Period: The required waiting period has elapsed. The applicable waiting period under [statute] is [____________] years from [completion of sentence / date of conviction / discharge from probation / other: ____________]. Petitioner's sentence was completed on [____________], and the required waiting period has been satisfied as of [____________]. (c) Completion of Sentence: Petitioner has fully completed all terms and conditions of the sentence imposed, including: [incarceration / probation (completed [____________]) / parole (completed [____________]) / payment of all fines and court costs / community service / restitution (paid in full as of [____________]) / other conditions: ____________].

Petitioner certifies that: (a) there are no pending criminal charges against Petitioner in any jurisdiction; (b) Petitioner has not been convicted of any offense during the applicable waiting period; (c) Petitioner has satisfied all outstanding financial obligations imposed by the court; and (d) Petitioner meets all additional eligibility requirements under applicable law, including [no prior expungements within [______] years / not currently on probation or parole / other: ____________]. Petitioner attaches as supporting exhibits: [Exhibit A — certified copy of original record; Exhibit B — proof of sentence completion; Exhibit C — proof of payment of fines].

Petitioner requests expungement on the following grounds: (a) Rehabilitation: Since the date of the offense(s), Petitioner has demonstrated substantial rehabilitation and has lived as a law-abiding citizen. Petitioner has [maintained steady employment with [____________] since [____________] / completed educational programs including [____________] / engaged in community service and civic participation / raised a family / other: ____________]. The criminal record poses an ongoing and unjust barrier to Petitioner's full participation in society, including in areas of employment, housing, education, and professional licensing.

(b) Hardship: The continued existence of the criminal record subjects Petitioner to ongoing hardship, including: [denial of employment opportunities by multiple employers citing the record / inability to obtain housing due to background check rejections / denial of professional license or certification / inability to secure educational loans or admission / other documented hardship: ____________]. Petitioner attaches supporting documentation of such hardship as Exhibit [____________]. (c) Public Interest: The expungement of the record is consistent with the public interest in enabling rehabilitated individuals to fully reintegrate into society, reduce recidivism, and contribute as productive citizens, and the offense for which expungement is sought is not of a nature that poses a continuing public safety concern.

Petitioner has not previously sought expungement of this record. [Alternatively: Petitioner sought expungement on [____________] and was denied because [____________]; the grounds for denial no longer apply because [____________].] Petitioner believes that expungement is just and proper under all the circumstances and respectfully requests that this Court exercise its discretion to grant this Petition. Petitioner consents to notice being provided to the prosecuting authority and waives no rights by filing this Petition.

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court: (a) enter an Order of Expungement / Record Sealing with respect to the criminal record(s) described herein; (b) direct all state and local agencies, including [State] Department of Justice, the [arresting agency], and [sentencing court], to expunge or seal the record(s) as provided by applicable law; (c) direct that Petitioner may legally answer "no" when asked whether Petitioner has been convicted of or arrested for the offense(s) described herein, to the extent permitted by law; (d) direct that the record(s) shall not be disclosed to any person or entity except as authorized by applicable law; and (e) grant such other relief as the Court deems just and appropriate.

The following documents are submitted in support of this Petition and attached as exhibits: Exhibit A — Certified copy of the criminal record(s) sought to be expunged; Exhibit B — Proof of completion of all sentence conditions (discharge papers, completion certificate, or court order); Exhibit C — Proof of payment of all fines, fees, and restitution; Exhibit D — Letters of support or character references [if any]; Exhibit E — Documentation of employment, education, or rehabilitation [if any]; Exhibit F — Documentation of hardship [if any]. I, [____________], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Signature: [____________]. Date: [____________].