Expungement Procedure

Call or visit the Department of Court Records, Criminal Division to receive the standard forms necessary to file a petition for expungement. The motion must be legibly written or typed.

Summary Case Expungement Procedures

If you have any questions, consult an attorney. We do not provide legal advice.

Reasons to Expunge a Record

  • A background check such as an Act 33/34 clearance will produce details of criminal cases that might affect future employment opportunities
  • The ability to be bonded
  • To obtain a gun permit

Determining Whether a Criminal Record has been Expunged

After the judge grants an expungement, the Department of Court Records, Criminal Division, eliminates all non-conviction data from its physical case files and electronic database and notifies the appropriate criminal justice agencies, such as Adult Probation, Behavior Clinic, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, District Attorney, Magisterial District Judge, the Pennsylvania State Police, Allegheny County Jail, Arresting Agency, and Sheriff. It may take up to one year for the expungement process to be completed after a judge signs an Order of Expungement.

You can search for criminal records in the Unified Judicial System.

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