Expungements

Expungement Information

An expungement is an action used to delete all police and court records pertaining to a criminal case when any of the following has occurred: acquittal, nolle prosequi, dismissal, absolute pardon, or an individual’s name used in error. When a record is expunged, the record is not destroyed but removed from public access and sealed. Effective February 20, 2024, a petition for expungement filed with the Clerk must set forth only one charge, one indictment, or one offense per petition. NOTE: Once the record is expunged it can only be accessed by court order.

Required Documents

• Expungement Packet (PDF)
• An original Petition for Expungement for each charge to be expunged, plus two additional copies
• A certified copy of the charge(s) with the disposition of the charge(s) to be expunged, plus two additional copies
• Cover sheet for filing Civil Actions
• Supplemental Information for Expungement Refund
• Expungement Order for each charge to be expunged
  • The order should only be submitted to the court when it is ready to be entered.
  • You may submit a copy of the proposed order, which will be indexed and scanned. You should bring the original order to your court hearing.
  • Any required documents need to be filed before submitting the order for entry (i.e., criminal history with fingerprint card).

The copies will be used for the following:
A copy of the petition shall be served on the Commonwealth’s Attorney. The Commonwealth may file an objection or answer to the petition within twenty-one (21) days after it is served.

Filing Fee

• The filing fee is $98 per petition being filed (includes service fee). 
• Fees must be paid by cash, certified check, money order or personal check (no starter checks will be accepted). 
• Checks and money orders may be made payable to "Clerk of Circuit Court." 
• Credit cards will not be accepted for the filing fee of the petitions for an expungement.

How to File

In person: bring your completed paperwork and filing fee to the third floor of the Clerk of the Circuit Court during normal business hours. 

By mail: Send your completed paperwork, copies and filing fee to the appropriate address below. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so we can return a copy of the petition and receipt for you to take to the sheriff’s office to obtain your fingerprint cards.