Am I eligible to file?

Eligibility depends on the jurisdiction, offense, and statutory waiting period. Review the applicable sealing statute and confirm whether your disposition type qualifies before filing.

Sealing versus expungement?

Sealing limits public access but often preserves records internally; expungement typically treats the record as erased. Each state uses these terms differently—check local definitions and impacts.

What supporting documents help?

Certified dispositions, arrest reports, proof of sentence completion, and character letters commonly support petitions. Courts often require certified documents rather than uncertified copies.

Can I e-sign and e-file?

Electronic signatures are generally valid under ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, but check local court rules for e-filing and notarization or RON requirements.

How long does processing take?

Processing and hearing timelines vary by court; many petitions resolve in weeks to months, but contested matters or clerical issues can extend the timeline.

What if the court denies the petition?

A denial may be appealable or subject to refiling if new evidence arises. Consult counsel about post-decision remedies, timelines, and whether statute permits further petitions.

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Petition to Seal Arrest and Criminal Records

Petition to Seal Arrest and Criminal Records

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

Petition to Seal Arrest and Criminal Records Other Than Convictions

District Court County, Colorado

Court Address:

Petition of:

Person in Interest (Primary subject of the criminal justice record)

Attorney or Party Without Attorney (Name and Address):

Phone Number: E-mail:

FAX Number: Atty. Reg. #:

Case Number: Division Courtroom

PETITION TO SEAL ARREST AND CRIMINAL RECORDS OTHER THAN CONVICTIONS PURSUANT TO §24-72-702, C.R.S.

1. The Petitioner is: (check one only)

the Person in Interest that is the primary subject of the criminal justice record.

the designated representative of the Person in Interest, by power of attorney or notarized authorization.

the parent of the Person in Interest, if the Person in Interest is under legal disability.

the appointed legal representative of the Person in Interest, if Person in Interest is under legal disability.

2. Information about the Person in Interest:

Date of Birth:

Current Mailing Address:

City: State: Zip Code:

Home Phone #: Work Phone #: Cell #:

3. The Petitioner asks this Court for an Order to Seal Arrest and Criminal Records information in the custody of the following agencies:

District and County Courts

Sheriff’s Department

District Attorney

Law Enforcement Agency (name of agency)

Municipal Court (location)

Colorado Bureau of Investigation

Other

4. Explain why you believe the harm/danger outweighs the public interest.

5. Charges filed or diversion agreement completed

Offense Date	Arrest Date	Arrest or Summons Number	Charge (if any)	F/M	Dismissal	Deferred Judgment	Diversion Agreement	Acquittal

6. Arrest records only, no charges filed, no diversion agreement

Date of Arrest	Original Arrest Number	Offense

7. Dismissed due to plea agreement in a separate case

Case Number of Case Dismissed	Date Case was Dismissed	Case Number(s) Identified in the Plea Agreement

8. Court case numbers and criminal justice agency case numbers:

County Court case number:

District Court case number:

Municipal Court case number:

Law Enforcement Agency case number:

Arrest number (from fingerprint card): Date:

9. The Person in Interest has paid all restitution, fines, court costs, late fines or other fees ordered by the Court, unless the Court has vacated the Order in the case requesting to be sealed.

10. The record does not pertain to a class 1 or a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense.

11. The record does not pertain to a class A or a class B traffic infraction.

12. The record does not pertain to a deferred judgment and sentence for Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Driving while Ability Impaired (DWAI), or DUI per-se pursuant to § 42-4-1301(1) or (2), C.R.S.

13. The record does not pertain to a deferred judgment and sentence for an offense concerning the holder of a commercial driver’s license, or the operator of a commercial motor vehicle pursuant to § 42-2-402, C.R.S.

14. The record does not pertain to a deferred judgment and sentence for an offense for which the factual basis involved unlawful sexual behavior pursuant to § 16-22-102(9), C.R.S.

15. The decision not to charge an offense was not due to a plea agreement in a separate case.

16. Petitioner requests the Court to set a date for hearing on this Petition, if necessary, and to enter an order sealing arrest and criminal records pertaining to the Person in Interest, pursuant to § 24-72-702(1)(b)(II), C.R.S. and to seal this civil action.

By checking this box, I am acknowledging I am filling in the blanks and not changing anything else on the form.

By checking this box, I am acknowledging that I have made a change to the original content of this form.

Printed name of Petitioner

Signature of Petitioner

Date

What the Petition to Seal Arrest and Criminal Records Is

A Petition to Seal Arrest and Criminal Records is a court filing that asks a judge to restrict public access to specified arrest and conviction records. Sealing does not always erase or expunge the underlying record; it limits public disclosure and access by background check services and many private parties. Eligibility, procedures, and effects vary by jurisdiction and offense type. The petition typically describes the record to be sealed, explains statutory or equitable grounds for sealing, and requests a court order that directs agencies to treat the record as nonpublic.

Why Filing a Petition to Seal Matters

Sealing can reduce barriers to employment, housing, and professional licensing by limiting public access to past arrests and convictions. It preserves privacy while allowing certain governmental agencies continued access when the law permits. Eligibility and outcomes differ by state and record type.

Who Typically Files or Signs a Petition to Seal

Individuals seeking privacy and relief from collateral consequences commonly file petitions; attorneys and public defenders file on behalf of clients.

Self-represented filers seeking to remove public access to an old arrest or conviction record.
Criminal defense attorneys or public defenders preparing statutory petitions and supporting affidavits.
Employers or licensing boards reviewing sealed records under limited statutory exceptions.

Court clerks, probation officers, and law enforcement agencies may be respondents to the petition and must receive notice per local rules.

Common Signatories and Representative Roles

Petitioner — Individual

The person whose records are at issue signs or authorizes the petition. If represented, the petitioner provides identifying details, dates of arrest/conviction, and declarations that support eligibility under the controlling statute.

Attorney Representative

A licensed attorney files on behalf of the petitioner, prepares legal argument and evidence, and may appear at hearing. Counsel certifies service on required respondents and attaches supporting documents like certified dispositions.

Step-by-Step: Preparing the Petition

Follow these sequential steps to prepare a complete petition and supporting file for court submission.

01

Gather Records: Obtain certified disposition and arrest reports.
02

Confirm Eligibility: Check state statute and waiting periods.
03

Draft Petition: Describe records, cite statute, request sealing.
04

File and Serve: File with court and serve respondents per local rules.

Customizing an Online Petition Workflow

Set up the online form to collect required fields, validate formats, and route documents for signature and filing.

Field	Configuration
Name Field Validation	Exact match required
Date Fields	MM/DD/YYYY format
Document Upload	Allow PDF, DOCX; require certified documents
Signature Routing	Sequential signers with email verification

Typical Filing and Routing Flow

A typical online filing flow reduces manual handling and creates a court-ready package with required notifications.

Prepare Package: Assemble petition, exhibits, and proposed order.
e-Signature: Collect petitioner and attorney signatures electronically.
File with Court: Upload via court e-filing portal or deliver in person.
Serve Parties: Provide service to law enforcement and prosecutors.

Technical Requirements for eSubmission

Ensure the platform supports PDF and DOCX, audit trails, and secure signer authentication before e-submitting to court.

Document Formats: PDF/A and DOCX supported
Authentication: Email or SMS verification
Audit Trail: Timestamped action log

Confirm local court e-filing rules; some jurisdictions require specific PDF/A versions, appended cover sheets, or in-person filings despite electronic signatures.

Core Elements of a Professional Petition to Seal

A professional petition combines precise facts, statutory citations, supporting exhibits, a proposed order, and proof of service tailored to local court requirements.

Caption

Court name, case number, parties, and correct filing district in the petition caption to ensure proper routing and indexing by the clerk.

Statement of Facts

Concise chronology of arrest, charge disposition, sentences, and rehabilitation facts that support eligibility under the controlling statute.

Legal Basis

Citation of the statutory provision authorizing sealing with a short explanation of how the petitioner meets statutory criteria.

Supporting Exhibits

Certified disposition, arrest records, character letters, and any certificate showing completion of sentence, treatment, or probation requirements.

Proposed Order

Draft court order with specific sealing language and instructions to agencies for restricting public access.

Proof of Service

Affidavit showing service on required respondents, including dates and method consistent with local rules.

Supporting Documents and Export Options

Attach certified court dispositions, arrest reports, identification, and any treatment or parole completion certificates; export final signed packages in court-acceptable formats.

Disposition

Certified court disposition or judgment showing charges, plea, and sentence, required to verify the record identity and status.

Arrest Record

Official arrest or booking report used to identify dates and agencies; obtain certified copies where courts require certified evidence.

Proof of Completion

Certificates demonstrating completion of sentence, probation, diversion, or rehabilitation programs when statutes condition sealing on completion.

Export Formats

Provide the complete signed packet as PDF/A for court e-filing, include an audit trail and separate exhibit files as required.

Practical Tips for Accurate Petitions

Use clear dates, certified documents, local forms, and correct service procedures to reduce rejections and hearing delays.

Use Local Court Forms

Check the court website for jurisdiction-specific petition templates and local rules to ensure your filing complies with formatting and submission requirements.

Attach Certified Evidence

Attach certified dispositions and supporting certified records to reliably demonstrate the record identity and disposition required for the court to rule.

Proofread Identifiers

Verify names, case numbers, and dates against official records; typographical errors commonly cause clerks to return filings for correction.

Document Service

Follow statutory service requirements and include a sworn proof of service; improper service can delay or invalidate proceedings.

Timing Considerations and Typical Deadlines

Timing varies: some statutes impose waiting periods after conviction, others allow immediate petitions for certain dispositions; check jurisdictional deadlines.

Statutory Waiting Periods:

Many states impose waiting periods of years after conviction or completion of sentence before eligibility.

Filing Windows:

Some seals require filing within specific post-conviction windows or after administrative clearances are completed.

Hearing Scheduling:

Courts typically schedule a hearing within weeks to months, depending on calendar and objections.

Agency Processing:

After an order, agencies require additional time to update or restrict records in databases.

Record Retention:

Even when sealed, agencies often retain records under statutory retention schedules for internal use.

Common Pitfalls That Cause Delays

Missing certified disposition or inaccurate case number often leads the clerk to reject or return the petition for correction.
Failing to serve required respondents or omitting proof of service can result in delayed hearings or dismissal of the petition.
Using general language instead of citing the exact statutory provision and applying facts to statutory elements weakens the petition.
Relying on uncertified records or unsigned declarations often leads courts to request further documentation or refuse relief.

Potential Consequences of an Incorrect Petition

Filing Rejection: Clerk returns or rejects filing

Delays: Hearing dates rescheduled

Waived Claims: Procedural errors can forfeit relief

Adverse Ruling: Incorrect facts may prompt denial

Costs: Additional attorney and court costs

Limited Relief: Order may seal only part of the record

Key Data Points Required in the Petition

Petitioner Name: Exact legal name

Identification: DOB and government ID

Case Number: Court docket number

Charge Details: Offense code and date

Disposition: Conviction or dismissal

Requested Relief: Sealing or expungement

How Others Use Petitions to Seal Records

Real-world examples show how petitions are supported and processed in different contexts.

Case Study — Employment Barrier

A petitioner filed after completing probation with a certified disposition

Court required certified exhibits to verify completion
The judge granted sealing limited to public background checks, allowing the petitioner to proceed with job applications and licensing checks while agencies retained records for law enforcement use.

Case Study — Mistaken Arrest

An individual with a dismissed charge sought sealing to address mistaken arrest records

The petition attached a dismissal and police report
The court ordered sealing and directed agencies to flag the record as sealed, reducing repeated disclosures during tenant screenings.

eSignature Vendor Pricing Snapshot for Petition Workflows

Compare core pricing and key features relevant to filing petitions and collecting signatures; signNow appears first per vendor ordering rules.

	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 free trial, no card	No free trial	No free trial	Yes, limited	Yes, limited
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently Asked Questions About Petitions to Seal

Answers to commonly asked questions about eligibility, filing, supporting evidence, and electronic submission practices.

Need help? Contact support

Am I eligible to file?
Eligibility depends on the jurisdiction, offense, and statutory waiting period. Review the applicable sealing statute and confirm whether your disposition type qualifies before filing.
Sealing versus expungement?
Sealing limits public access but often preserves records internally; expungement typically treats the record as erased. Each state uses these terms differently—check local definitions and impacts.
What supporting documents help?
Certified dispositions, arrest reports, proof of sentence completion, and character letters commonly support petitions. Courts often require certified documents rather than uncertified copies.
Can I e-sign and e-file?
Electronic signatures are generally valid under ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, but check local court rules for e-filing and notarization or RON requirements.
How long does processing take?
Processing and hearing timelines vary by court; many petitions resolve in weeks to months, but contested matters or clerical issues can extend the timeline.
What if the court denies the petition?
A denial may be appealable or subject to refiling if new evidence arises. Consult counsel about post-decision remedies, timelines, and whether statute permits further petitions.

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