Can I e-sign a pardon application?

In many jurisdictions, e-signatures are legally valid under ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA if intent and consent are established and records are retained. Some states or agencies require original signatures or notarization. Confirm the receiving authority's rules before relying on electronic signature.

Do pardons require notarized signatures?

Requirements vary. Some jurisdictions request notarized affidavits or supporting statements while others accept unsworn submissions. Remote online notarization may be allowed where state law permits. Check the specific clemency office instructions to confirm whether notarization is required.

Which court and sentence records should I include?

Include certified dispositions, sentencing orders, docket numbers, arrest records, parole or probation termination dates, and any appellate documents. Certified copies from the clerk of court reduce verification delays and are commonly required by clemency boards.

Typical review timelines and what affects them

Review timelines vary widely: state boards may take months to years; federal petitions reviewed by the Office of the Pardon Attorney can take many months. Completeness of records, governmental caseload, and background checks significantly influence processing time.

Can an attorney submit on my behalf?

Yes. Attorneys or authorized representatives may file on behalf of applicants where permitted. They can obtain records, prepare narratives, and ensure compliance with jurisdictional rules. Some offices require a signed authorization or power of attorney for representation.

What happens after submission?

The application is reviewed, background checks are run, and the clemency board may request interviews or additional documents. Outcomes include denial, referral, conditional relief, or recommendation to the executive authority. Keep copies and be prepared for follow-up requests.

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Pardon Application Procedure

Pardon Application Procedure

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PARDON BOARD APPLICATION

Please find attached below, a Pardon Board application.

Please refer to the Board’s policies and procedures and instructions for filing an application for pardon to insure that the application is completed and returned correctly. Applications will not be accepted which are not completed according to the instructions.

When the application and supportive material are returned, they will be considered in executive session by the Board at their next scheduled consideration meeting. You will be notified in writing as soon as possible following that meeting of the results. If the application is accepted and the case set for a hearing, the hearing will be held at the next scheduled quarterly hearings meeting of the Board and your appearance before the Board would be required at that time.

PLEASE NOTE: The Nebraska Pardons Board was created through Article IV, Section 13, of the Nebraska Constitution. The Board is comprised of the Governor, the Secretary of State, and the Attorney General. The Board is not governed by the Nebraska Administrative Procedures Act, and its constitutional powers cannot be limited or modified by any act of the legislature or of the Nebraska courts. The Board has the power to remit fines and forfeitures, grant respites, grant reprieves, grant pardons, and grant commutations in all cases of conviction for offenses against the laws of the State of Nebraska, except for treason and cases of impeachment. The Board of Pardons does not have authority to act in such cases where the offenses are against a city municipal ordinance code; reference Nebraska Statutes 83-170 and 83-1,126.

It is the usual practice in the granting of pardons to hear only those misdemeanor cases where three (3) years has elapsed and those felony cases where ten (10) years has elapsed upon completion of sentencing, including any probation, supervised release, or parole term, with no further law enforcement contacts. Only unusual circumstances will cause the Board to deviate from this practice.

In the state of Nebraska there are no laws or statutes that allow a complete expungement of ones criminal history. Any law enforcement contact, arrests, and convictions will remain on ones history forever. However, you can file an application to the Nebraska Board of Pardons requesting a pardon be granted on your convictions. If a pardon is granted to you, it would be indicated on your history record. It is recommended that a copy of any pardon granted be presented to any prospective employers, schools, etc.

Please feel free to contact this office if you have any questions or refer to the Pardon Boards website: www.pardons.state.ne.us.

Sonya Fauver

Administrative Assistant

Nebraska Board of Pardons

402-479-5726

sonya.fauver@nebraska.gov

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING AN APPLICATION

NEBRASKA PARDONS BOARD - FULL PARDONS

Applications are processed according to the date they are received in the Nebraska Board of Pardons Office. Applications will be scheduled on the next available open docket for considerations. Dockets can close at any time, for assurance that your application will be scheduled for the next consideration meeting the application must be received at least four (4) weeks prior to the meeting. Applications received after the four week deadline may be scheduled for a future consideration meeting.

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR CONSIDERATION

1. Completed application including the signature of the applicant.

An application secured from the office of the Board, should be completed giving detailed information as to one's activities since release. If an applicant has had more than one felony or misdemeanor conviction in Nebraska the application should include information for each conviction for which you wish a pardon. A pardon from Nebraska would in no way pardon one from convictions in other states.

2. Several reference/character letters. (Three or more)

Several letters verifying the applicant's good character from citizens of the community where the applicant has resided must accompany the application.

3. A receipt from the Clerk of the County or District Court indicating that all fines, court costs and restitutions have been satisfied.

Court fines, costs and restitutions are expected to be satisfied. A current dated letter from the Clerk of the District or County Court of the sentencing county stating that all fines, costs, and restitutions have been satisfied, or a current dated receipt showing all fines, costs, and restitutions have been paid, must be submitted with the application.

4. Court documents for penalties other than incarceration in state correctional facilities.

In the event an applicant is requesting a pardon from a misdemeanor or felony conviction where the penalty imposed was anything other than incarceration in a state correctional facility, court documents must accompany the application indicating the offense, date of sentence, and penalty (Sentencing Order, Probation Order, and Release from Probation Order). Records of term(s) of confinement in state correctional facilities are available to the Board through the Department of Correctional Services.

PROCEDURE

When an application is filed, the Board makes a thorough investigation of the case, determines if the application should be accepted for hearing and if accepted, sets the case for a public hearing. The applicant will be notified of the results within a reasonable amount of time.

The Board holds public hearings quarterly, usually in March, June, September, and December of each year. Specific dates are determined following each meeting for the next quarterly meeting.

If a hearing is granted on an application for full pardon, the applicant is expected to be in attendance for the hearing. If an applicant wishes to request a hearing in absentia, this request should be made when the application is filed. Only in rare cases will a hearing be granted in absentia. These are public hearings; a notice appears in state and county newspapers, the press may be in attendance, and testimony is taken from anyone appearing in support or opposition to the application. A reasonable effort will be made to contact the victim of offenses defined as crimes against a person by the Board’s Policy and Procedure Guidelines.

BOARD OF PARDONS
P.O. Box 94754
Lincoln, NE 68509-4754

APPLICATION FOR FULL PARDON

1. Name:

2. Any other names used:

3. Current address:

4. Home phone number:

Work phone number:

5. Date of birth:

Place of birth:

Current Age:

6. Social Security Number:

Sex: Male Female

7. Have you ever applied for a pardon before?

If yes, when?

8. Give name and address of legal counsel (if any) assisting you in seeking clemency:

9. List crime(s) for which you are seeking a pardon: (If additional space is needed, please continue on another sheet of paper.)

OFFENSE(S)	COUNTY WHERE COMMITTED	DATE OFFENSE COMMITTED	DATE ARRESTED	DATE SENTENCED	SENTENCE RECEIVED

On the above convictions that you are requesting a pardon, did you serve any State of Nebraska prison sentences?

If yes, what was your State Inmate Number?

10. Who was the trial Judge?

11. Who was the County Attorney?

12. Did you admit guilt for the crime(s)?

13. What did you plead?

Was an appeal taken?

14. Was a gun used in perpetration of the crime(s)?

15. If your conviction was for a violent crime against a person, give the name of the victim(s).

16. If your crime was a property crime, property was:

17. Who else participated in the perpetration of the crime?

18. What was the disposition of their case(s)?

19. Tell your story of the crime(s):

20. Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than the above mentioned?

If yes, give the full particulars:

21. Have you ever been addicted to the use of alcohol or controlled substances:

If yes, please explain:

22. List your previous residences and state how long you resided there, your occupation at each and give two acquaintances:

Previous residence	Length of residence	Occupation	Acquaintances

23. Give name, occupation and address of each of the following:

Spouse (or former spouse):
Children (please provide ages):
Father:
Mother:
Sisters:
Brothers:

24. Highest grade completed:

25. Name and address of High School:

26. Any subsequent degrees completed:

27. Name of school(s):

28. Have you ever been a member of the United States Armed Forces?

If yes, what branch?

Active

or Reserve

29. Date of duty:

Date of discharge:

30. Type of discharge:

31. Give the name and address of your present employer:

32. Type of employment:

33. Date employed:

34. List all employers for the past ten years, including address, supervisor and dates employed:

35. Give your reason for requesting a pardon:

36. If your crime was a felony or a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, Federal law prohibits you from carrying, transporting, possessing and/or receiving firearms. Are you requesting authorization to possess a firearm?

*This application will become a matter of public record once it is received by the Board of Pardons.*

*Falsification of any portion of this application can be reason for denial.*

Signature of applicant

Date of signature

Additional information on any questions may be continued on a blank sheet of paper attached and noted with the same question number.

Overview of the Pardon Application Procedure

The Pardon Application Procedure is the formal process for requesting executive clemency or pardon from a state governor or the President of the United States, depending on jurisdiction. It organizes applicant information, case history, supporting evidence, and legal arguments into a standardized submission used by clemency boards or pardon offices for review. The procedure typically includes eligibility screening, collection of criminal records and disposition documents, personal statements, recommendations, and a final petition. Understanding each step and required evidence improves completeness and reduces processing delays.

Why a complete procedure matters

Completing a Pardon Application Procedure accurately documents rehabilitation, legal remediation, and mitigating circumstances for decision-makers. A clear, well-supported petition increases the likelihood that reviewing authorities can assess eligibility, weigh public safety factors, and make an informed clemency decision.

Who prepares and files these petitions

Professionals and individuals prepare pardon applications depending on case complexity and jurisdictional procedure or with attorney representation.

Self-represented applicants compiling personal statements, proof of rehabilitation, and court dispositions.
Attorneys or legal advocates drafting persuasive legal narratives and assembling supporting exhibits.
Nonprofit reentry organizations assisting with records retrieval, letters of support, and application review.

Choice of preparer affects accuracy, advocacy quality, and compliance with state-specific submission rules and filing timelines.

Essential components of a professional pardon petition

Six essential components of a professional Pardon Application Procedure that ensure a complete, organized, and review-ready petition for clemency consideration.

Cover Letter

A concise executive summary stating the relief sought, grounds for pardon, and list of enclosed documents; helps reviewers quickly understand the petition.

Personal Statement

A clear first-person narrative addressing rehabilitation, remorse, community contribution, and reasons for clemency; reference attached supporting exhibits for corroboration.

Legal History

Certified court dispositions, sentencing orders, docket numbers, and a chronology of proceedings to enable precise record retrieval by the board and reduce verification delays.

Support Letters

Signed letters of recommendation from employers, community leaders, and professionals that attest to character and rehabilitation, dated and provided on official letterhead.

Evidence of Rehabilitation

Documentation such as employment records, volunteer service, treatment completion certificates, educational achievements, and certificates of good conduct to demonstrate reform.

Verification & Notarization

Notary acknowledgments, sworn affidavits, or original signatures where required by jurisdiction; include notarized declarations if the agency requests them.

Step-by-step filing workflow

Sequential steps to prepare, review, and submit a complete Pardon Application Procedure to the appropriate clemency authority.

01

Eligibility Check: Confirm statutory eligibility and any mandatory waiting periods.
02

Gather Records: Order certified dispositions and incarceration records.
03

Draft Narrative: Write a concise statement of rehabilitation and mitigating factors.
04

Submit & Track: File per jurisdiction instructions and retain proof of delivery.

Configuring an online petition workflow

Configure an online workflow to collect signatures, attach exhibits, and route the Pardon Application Procedure securely and consistently.

Field	Configuration
Document Template Setup	Use a standardized PDF form with fillable fields and required field enforcement.
Automated Evidence Requests	Trigger records orders via email and track responses; set reminders at 7 and 21 days.
Signer Authentication	Enable email tokens or SMS codes; consider knowledge-based authentication for higher assurance where allowed.
Notification Preferences	Notify applicant, attorney, and clemency coordinator on each status change.

Where to file and how submissions are routed

Where and how to deliver the completed Pardon Application Procedure depending on whether state or federal clemency applies.

State Pardon Office: Submit to the governor's clemency board per state instructions.
Federal Clemency: Presidential petitions are routed through the Office of the Pardon Attorney at DOJ for review.
Mail vs Electronic: Follow agency rules: some states accept electronic submission; others require paper originals.
Confirm Receipt: Obtain written acknowledgment or tracking number after filing.

Principal risks and consequences of errors

Application Denial: Incomplete or false information can lead to denial

Perjury Risk: False statements may trigger criminal charges

Processing Delays: Missing records cause extended review timelines

Fee Forfeiture: Nonrefundable fees may apply in some states

Statutory Bars: Certain convictions restrict eligibility for set periods

Record Mismatch: Incorrect identifiers trigger background search failures

Common preparation pitfalls to avoid

Submitting uncertified or incomplete court dispositions that require clerks to provide certified copies, causing significant processing delays and requests for supplemental documentation.
Failing to match legal names or aliases to official records, which leads to mismatched background reports and potential rejection of the petition.
Relying on unsigned letters of support or unsigned exhibits; many review boards require original signed statements or properly notarized declarations.
Neglecting jurisdictional filing rules such as required notary, witness counts, or electronic acceptance formats, resulting in return-to-sender or administrative dismissal.

Technical and compliance checklist for eSubmission

Ensure the digital platform supports secure e-submission, required authentication, and records retention compatible with legal frameworks.

Document Formats: PDF and Word (DOCX) supported
Integrations: Works with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, NetSuite
Authentication: Supports email, SMS, KBA, SSO

eSignature vendor comparison for submitting petitions

Compare baseline eSignature pricing and capability rows most relevant when submitting the Pardon Application Procedure online.

	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	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

Supporting documents and export options

Common supporting documents to include with the Pardon Application Procedure and recommended export formats for filing and archiving.

Supporting Documents

Certified court records, sentencing sheets, parole or probation documents, and background checks. Provide originals or certified copies per agency instructions to avoid returns.

Letters of Support

Include dated, signed letters on official letterhead with contact information. Multiple perspectives strengthen claims of rehabilitation and community integration.

Export Formats

Save the final package as PDF/A for long-term archiving; retain a DOCX editable copy for future amendments and verify attachments remain labeled.

Signed Copies

Provide an original signed copy if required; otherwise submit an e-signed PDF with an audit trail that shows signer identity and timestamp.

Frequently asked questions about the Pardon Application Procedure

Answers to frequent questions about completing, signing, and submitting a Pardon Application Procedure, including eSignature and notarization concerns.

Need help? Contact support

Can I e-sign a pardon application?
In many jurisdictions, e-signatures are legally valid under ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA if intent and consent are established and records are retained. Some states or agencies require original signatures or notarization. Confirm the receiving authority's rules before relying on electronic signature.
Do pardons require notarized signatures?
Requirements vary. Some jurisdictions request notarized affidavits or supporting statements while others accept unsworn submissions. Remote online notarization may be allowed where state law permits. Check the specific clemency office instructions to confirm whether notarization is required.
Which court and sentence records should I include?
Include certified dispositions, sentencing orders, docket numbers, arrest records, parole or probation termination dates, and any appellate documents. Certified copies from the clerk of court reduce verification delays and are commonly required by clemency boards.
Typical review timelines and what affects them
Review timelines vary widely: state boards may take months to years; federal petitions reviewed by the Office of the Pardon Attorney can take many months. Completeness of records, governmental caseload, and background checks significantly influence processing time.
Can an attorney submit on my behalf?
Yes. Attorneys or authorized representatives may file on behalf of applicants where permitted. They can obtain records, prepare narratives, and ensure compliance with jurisdictional rules. Some offices require a signed authorization or power of attorney for representation.
What happens after submission?
The application is reviewed, background checks are run, and the clemency board may request interviews or additional documents. Outcomes include denial, referral, conditional relief, or recommendation to the executive authority. Keep copies and be prepared for follow-up requests.

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