Can my conviction be expunged?

Eligibility depends on the controlling state statute, the offense, completion of sentence, and any waiting periods. Review the relevant expungement or sealing statute in your jurisdiction to confirm whether the conviction qualifies.

What records must I attach?

Attach certified dispositions, sentencing orders, proof of sentence completion, and any documents showing rehabilitation. Courts typically require official records rather than informal copies to establish factual eligibility.

Is an electronic signature valid?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally recognized under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are met.

Do I need a notary or RON?

Some jurisdictions require notarization for verification of signatures or affidavits; others accept unsigned or self-verified petitions. Check local court rules for RON or in-person notary acceptance.

How long until the court rules?

Processing times vary: some courts schedule hearings within weeks, others take months. Clerk processing of the signed order and updating records can add additional weeks.

What if the petition is denied?

Denials may be appealable or subject to refiling only if statute permits. Courts sometimes allow amended petitions to correct procedural defects; consult local rules or counsel for options.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Other
Petition to Expunge

Petition to Expunge

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

JUDICIAL BRANCH

http://www.courts.state.nh.us

Court Name:

Case Name:

Case Number:

PETITION TO EXPUNGE (REMOVE)
Pursuant to RSA 169-C:35

1. Petitioner Name

Date of Birth

Social Security Number

Residence Address

Mailing Address (if different)

Telephone Number (Home)

(Work)

2. Child's Name

Date of Birth

3. Date of Court Finding (if applicable)

4. The petitioner states as follows:

a. Pursuant to RSA 169-C:35, my name was listed as reported by the New Hampshire
Department of Health and Human Services, Division for Children, Youth and Families (“the
Department”) as of (date) on the State's Central Registry of founded
reports of abuse and neglect. It has been:

More than one (1) year since the date my name was entered on the State's Central Registry;

OR

Three (3) or more years since the denial of my last Petition to have my name expunged (removed) from the State's Central Registry.

b. Consistent with RSA 169-C:35, IV(c), I understand that as a result of this Petition to
Expunge, the Court will order the Department to:

(1) Submit my name, address, date of birth and social security number to the New
Hampshire Department of Safety to conduct a search of their criminal records and for
the results of this search to be submitted to the Court;

(2) Report to the Court concerning any additional founded abuse and/or neglect reports
against me; and

(3) Provide any additional information that may aid the Court in making a determination on
this Petition to Expunge.

c. Attached is a signed and notarized Criminal Records Release.

d. In addition to the above, I ask the Court to consider the following information in support of
the Petition to Expunge:

e. Upon the Court's receipt and review of the information provided by the Department, I request
that the Court grant this Petition to Expunge and order the Department to remove my name
from the State's Central Registry, OR, in the alternative, that the Court schedule a hearing
on this Petition.

Date

Signature of Petitioner

Printed Name of Petitioner

This instrument was acknowledged before me on

State of

County of

by

My Commission Expires

Affix Seal, if any

Signature of Notarial Officer / Title

ORDER

THE COURT MAKES THE FOLLOWING ORDERS:

DCYF shall submit the petitioner's name, address, date of birth and social security number to
the New Hampshire Department of Safety to conduct a search of their criminal records and for
the results of this search to be submitted to the Court;

DCYF shall report to the Court concerning any additional founded abuse and/or neglect reports
against the petitioner; and

DCYF shall provide any additional information that may aid the Court in making a
determination on this Petition to Expunge.

Other:

Recommended:

Date

Signature of Marital Master

Printed Name of Marital Master

So Ordered:

I hereby certify that I have read the recommendation(s) and agree that, to the extent the marital
master/judicial referee/hearing officer has made factual findings, she/he has applied the correct legal
standard to the facts determined by the marital master/judicial referee/hearing officer.

Date

Signature of Judge

Printed Name of Judge

C:

Petitioner Court NH DCYF, Central Registry Other:

NHJB-2135-DF (01/01/2011)

Page 1 of 2

What a Petition to Expunge Is and when it applies

A Petition to Expunge is a formal court filing that asks a judge to remove or restrict public access to a criminal record or arrest history. The petition names the filer, identifies the convictions or arrests at issue, states the legal basis for relief, and summarizes supporting facts and rehabilitative evidence. Courts consider statutory eligibility, victim notification requirements, and public-safety concerns when ruling. Relief remedies vary by jurisdiction: some statutes permit full expungement, others allow sealing or set-aside orders that limit but do not delete records.

Why filing an expungement petition matters

A successful Petition to Expunge can limit public access to past convictions, improve employment and housing prospects, and reduce barriers created by background checks while preserving court oversight of records.

Who commonly prepares or signs an expungement petition

Typical users include individuals seeking record relief, criminal defense attorneys, public defenders, and legal aid organizations representing eligible petitioners.

Individual petitioners: people with eligible convictions seeking to clear public records and improve background checks.
Defense attorneys: prepare pleadings, compile court dispositions, and submit supporting character or employment evidence.
Employers and background screeners: reference sealed or expunged records per state law and hiring policies.

Step-by-step: preparing and filing the petition

Follow these steps to prepare, file, and track a Petition to Expunge in most U.S. jurisdictions.

01

Check Eligibility: Confirm statutory eligibility, waiting periods, and disqualifying convictions.
02

Gather Records: Obtain certified dispositions, sentencing documents, and arrest reports.
03

Draft Petition: Complete jurisdictional forms and attach supporting declarations.
04

File & Serve: File with court clerk and serve required parties.

Typical submission flow for an expungement petition

Typical submission flow for a Petition to Expunge: filing, service, hearing, and entry of order.

Prepare: Assemble petition, exhibits, and filing fee.
File: Submit to the clerk by mail or e-filing.
Serve: Provide notice to prosecutor and any victims as required.
Hearing: Appear or submit written proof for judge's review.

Online workflow settings for completing and sending the petition

Settings for completing and submitting petitions online using e-filing portals and eSignature tools securely efficiently.

Field	Configuration
Signer Authentication	Email link or SMS code; KBA optional
Document Format	PDF/A recommended, preserve signatures
Auto-fill	Map court records to template fields automatically
Retention	Store signed PDF with audit trail for retention period

Technical requirements for electronic filing and eSubmission

Electronic submission typically requires PDF formatting, a stable internet connection, and a compliant eSignature provider.

File Formats: PDF, DOCX, or scanned TIFF.
Authentication: Email OTP, SMS code, or ID check.
Integrations: Court e-filing portals and case management.

Common timing items to track when filing

Track statutory waiting periods, notice deadlines, and hearing scheduling to avoid missed opportunities or dismissal.

Eligibility Waiting Period:

Varies by state; often between 1 and 10 years

Service Deadlines:

Serve prosecutor or victim per local rule before hearing

Hearing Notice:

Courts typically set hearings 30–90 days after filing

Clerk Processing:

Entry of order and updating of records may take weeks

Appeal Window:

Monitor local rules for appeal or objection timeframes

Consequences of incorrect or incomplete petitions

Denial of Relief: Incomplete or ineligible petitions may be dismissed.

Perjury Risk: False statements can lead to criminal penalties.

Missed Deadlines: Late service or filing can forfeit relief options.

Fee Forfeiture: Filing fees may not be refunded on dismissal.

Record Mismatch: Wrong case numbers impede clerk processing.

Limited Refiling: Statutes may restrict refiling after denial.

Common preparation errors to avoid

Using an incorrect case number or court name which prevents matching to criminal records and delays resolution.
Failing to attach certified disposition and sentencing documents required to prove eligibility and completion of sentence.
Improper service of notice on the prosecutor or victims, which can result in continuances or dismissal.
Relying on informal record copies instead of certified records demanded by the clerk or judge.

Practical tips for accurate and efficient filings

Follow these best practices to reduce delays and improve the chance of favorable outcomes.

Confirm Eligibility Early

Check applicable statute and prior expungement history; address disqualifying convictions before drafting the petition.

Use Certified Records

Attach certified court dispositions and sentencing documents to establish the factual record clearly for the judge.

Document Service

Keep proof of service and dates; file certificates of service contemporaneously with the petition.

Preserve Audit Trail

If filing electronically, save signed PDFs, timestamps, and eSignature audit trails for the official record.

Essential components included in a professional petition

A complete Petition to Expunge combines factual, procedural, and evidentiary elements to support the request for relief.

Caption

Court heading showing jurisdiction, case number, and party names exactly as on original filings and docket records.

Statement of Facts

Concise timeline of charges, arrests, convictions, sentence completion, and any rehabilitative steps taken by the petitioner.

Legal Grounds

Cite the specific statute or case law authorizing expungement, and explain how statutory criteria are satisfied.

Supporting Exhibits

Attach certified dispositions, sentencing orders, letters of support, treatment records, or certificates of completion as evidence.

Certificate of Service

Document showing which parties were served, method of service, and service dates per local rule.

Proposed Order

A draft order the court can sign describing the relief requested and any redaction or sealing instructions.

How expungement compares with sealing and related remedies

Key distinctions clarify what relief does to public records and who can access them after a court order.

Criteria	Expungement	Sealing
Effect	removed	restricted access
Eligibility	statutory	statutory
Public access	no public access	limited public access
Record destroyed	rarely

Real-world filing scenarios and outcomes

These examples show how petitions are used by different filers and which supporting items matter most.

Public Defender Office

A defender compiles certified dispositions and client affidavits to prove completion of sentence and steady employment.

The office files grouped petitions for eligible clients to streamline clerk review.
With organized exhibits and accurate service, many petitions proceed to hearing faster, minimizing court follow-up and reducing the need for supplemental filings.

Self-Represented Petitioner

An individual requests certified court records and writes a concise facts statement to meet statutory criteria.

They attach a letter of support and proof of rehabilitation.
Clear documentation and correct service lead judges to grant sealing orders in straightforward cases, but complex convictions often require counsel for best results.

Who typically signs or authorizes the petition

Maria Lopez — Petitioner

Maria prepares and signs the petition to request relief for an eligible conviction, certifies the accuracy of her statements under penalty of perjury, and provides identity documents and certified court records for verification.

Aaron Chen — Criminal Defense Attorney

Aaron reviews case files, drafts legal arguments citing statutory authority, signs the verified petition or notice of appearance, and files certificate(s) of service on behalf of the client.

Security and compliance considerations for petition records

In-transit Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3

At-rest Encryption: AES-256

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001

HIPAA Support: BAA required

Audit Trail: Detailed signer history

Access Controls: Role-based permissions

eSignature vendor pricing and capability snapshot

Pricing and core capabilities for common eSignature providers — signNow appears first. Confirm plan details directly with each vendor for exact features and limits.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 env/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

Frequently asked questions about petitions to expunge

Answers to common questions about eligibility, filing, electronic signatures, and record handling when preparing a Petition to Expunge.

Need help? Contact support

Can my conviction be expunged?
Eligibility depends on the controlling state statute, the offense, completion of sentence, and any waiting periods. Review the relevant expungement or sealing statute in your jurisdiction to confirm whether the conviction qualifies.
What records must I attach?
Attach certified dispositions, sentencing orders, proof of sentence completion, and any documents showing rehabilitation. Courts typically require official records rather than informal copies to establish factual eligibility.
Is an electronic signature valid?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally recognized under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are met.
Do I need a notary or RON?
Some jurisdictions require notarization for verification of signatures or affidavits; others accept unsigned or self-verified petitions. Check local court rules for RON or in-person notary acceptance.
How long until the court rules?
Processing times vary: some courts schedule hearings within weeks, others take months. Clerk processing of the signed order and updating records can add additional weeks.
What if the petition is denied?
Denials may be appealable or subject to refiling only if statute permits. Courts sometimes allow amended petitions to correct procedural defects; consult local rules or counsel for options.

Explore Templates

Sale House Form Florida Probate Rules Wisconsin Birth Certificate Application Right of First Refusal Form Ohio Real Estate Home Sales Package Declaration of Trust

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now