How to File for Expungement in New Jersey
How to apply to clear a criminal record in New Jersey: the petition, court, fee and fee waiver, and what happens at the hearing.
Short answer: Apply online through the Judiciary's free eCourts Expungement System, using the case number (Superior Court docket or municipal summons or warrant number). New Jersey Courts, Expunging Your Court Record; N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2(a), 2C:52-10.1
| How to apply | Apply online through the Judiciary's free eCourts Expungement System, using the case number (Superior Court docket or municipal summons or warrant number). The petition is filed in the Superior Court for the county of the most recent conviction, and prosecutors may object. A court appearance is not always required. After a judge signs the order, it is sent to law enforcement agencies, and the New Jersey State Police remove the records from the state criminal history system. Their Expungement Status Portal lets you track processing. |
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| Filing fee | According to the New Jersey Courts, filing for expungement through the eCourts Expungement System is free. |
| Arrests and dismissed charges | According to the New Jersey Courts, the court can order an immediate (expedited) expungement when a case is dismissed or the defendant is acquitted and found not guilty on all counts. The text of N.J.S.A. 2C:52-6 was not read directly. |
| Getting a copy of your criminal record | The New Jersey State Police Criminal Information Unit provides your own New Jersey criminal history record (a Personal Record Request). Schedule fingerprinting with IDEMIA at an IdentoGO site online or at 1-877-503-5981, using service code 2F1BJG, and bring ID showing the home address you used. The fee is $45.73 (including a $15.73 vendor fee and sales tax), paid at the site. If a record exists, it is mailed to you; if none exists, you can download an official letter from the NJ portal within 24 to 72 hours using your IdentoGO PCN, last name and date of birth (available for 90 days). Results cover New Jersey records only. Questions: Criminal Information Unit, 609-882-2000 ext. 2302, CIU@njsp.gov. Out-of-state former residents/workers: https://njsp.njoag.gov/chri-out-of-state-residents/; no-record letter download: https://njportal.com/NJSP/prr |
Where to get help in New Jersey
More New Jersey expungement & criminal records
- Getting a Copy of Your New Jersey Criminal Record
- Expunging or Sealing a Felony in New Jersey
- Clearing a DUI From Your Record in New Jersey
- Sealing or Expunging Juvenile Records in New Jersey
- All New Jersey expungement & criminal records rules
FAQ
How do you file for expungement in New Jersey?
Apply online through the Judiciary's free eCourts Expungement System, using the case number (Superior Court docket or municipal summons or warrant number). The petition is filed in the Superior Court for the county of the most recent conviction, and prosecutors may object. A court appearance is not always required. After a judge signs the order, it is sent to law enforcement agencies, and the New Jersey State Police remove the records from the state criminal history system. Their Expungement Status Portal lets you track processing.
How much does expungement cost in New Jersey?
According to the New Jersey Courts, filing for expungement through the eCourts Expungement System is free.
Can you clear an arrest or dismissed charge in New Jersey?
According to the New Jersey Courts, the court can order an immediate (expedited) expungement when a case is dismissed or the defendant is acquitted and found not guilty on all counts.
How do I check my own criminal record in New Jersey?
The New Jersey State Police Criminal Information Unit provides your own New Jersey criminal history record (a Personal Record Request). Schedule fingerprinting with IDEMIA at an IdentoGO site online or at 1-877-503-5981, using service code 2F1BJG, and bring ID showing the home address you used. The fee is $45.73 (including a $15.73 vendor fee and sales tax), paid at the site. If a record exists, it is mailed to you; if none exists, you can download an official letter from the NJ portal within 24 to 72 hours using your IdentoGO PCN, last name and date of birth (available for 90 days). Results cover New Jersey records only. Questions: Criminal Information Unit, 609-882-2000 ext. 2302, CIU@njsp.gov.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.