New Jersey Expungement Packet — LSC-Grade Self-Help Guide

Jurisdiction-correct document templates. Not legal advice.

1. Eligibility Checker — Who Qualifies for Expungement in New Jersey?

You MAY qualify if:

For Indictable Offenses (Crimes):

• You have been convicted of no more than one crime (or multiple crimes from a single judgment of conviction or closely related events)
• You have no more than 3 disorderly persons offenses in addition to your crime
• 5 years have passed since your most recent conviction, payment of fines, completion of probation/parole, or release from incarceration (whichever is latest) — N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2(a)
• All fines, fees, and restitution are paid (or you have compelling circumstances)

For Disorderly Persons / Petty Disorderly Persons Offenses:

• You have been convicted of no more than 5 disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons offenses
• You have no felony convictions (if you do, apply under the crime expungement rules instead)
• 5 years have passed since your most recent conviction (can be reduced to 3 years with compelling circumstances) — N.J.S.A. 2C:52-3

For Young Drug Offenders (Age 21 or Younger at Time of Offense):

• You were convicted of a drug offense under N.J.S.A. 2C:35 or 2C:36 (possession or use of controlled substance)
• You were 21 years old or younger when the offense occurred
• 1 year has passed since conviction, termination of probation/parole, or discharge from custody — N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5

For Arrests Not Resulting in Conviction:

• Charges were dismissed, you were acquitted, or you were discharged without conviction
• You can apply immediately (or after 6 months if dismissed through PTI, conditional discharge, or conditional dismissal) — N.J.S.A. 2C:52-6

For Drug Court Graduates:

• You successfully completed Drug Court supervision
• You may apply immediately upon graduation

You DO NOT qualify if convicted of:

• Murder, manslaughter, criminal homicide
• Kidnapping, human trafficking, luring or enticing
• Sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact
• Criminal sexual contact (if victim was a minor)
• Robbery, arson
• Perjury, false swearing
• Endangering the welfare of a child (sexual conduct)
• Terrorism
• Any crime committed while holding public office (if the crime involved that office)
• Distribution of controlled substances (except limited marijuana/hashish quantities)

(N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2(b))

2. All Required Forms

Where to get forms:

• Online: njcourts.gov/selfhelp/expungement.html
• In person: Superior Court Clerk's Office in your county
• Jurist-Diction: jurisdiction-correct templates at /states/new-jersey/expungement — $47

3. Step-by-Step Filing Instructions

Step 1: Get Your Criminal History

Request your New Jersey criminal history record from the New Jersey State Police:

1. Go to portal.njsp.org or visit your local police department
2. Submit fingerprint card and pay the fee (approximately $20–$40)
3. Receive your complete criminal history record

Why you need this: You must list every arrest, charge, and conviction on your petition.

Step 2: Determine Which Statute Applies to You

• N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2 — Indictable offenses (crimes)
• N.J.S.A. 2C:52-3 — Disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons offenses
• N.J.S.A. 2C:52-6 — Arrests not resulting in conviction
• N.J.S.A. 2C:52-4 — Municipal ordinance violations

Step 3: Complete the Petition for Expungement

Fill out the petition completely:

• Your full name, date of birth, and current address
• Case number, docket number, and court for each offense
• Date of arrest, charges, and disposition for each offense
• The specific statute under which you are applying
• All arrests and convictions in your history (even those not being expunged)

Tip: Be thorough. Missing information can cause your petition to be rejected.

Step 4: File the Petition

File your petition with the Superior Court in:

• The county where you currently reside, OR
• The county where the conviction occurred

Filing fee: $75 (fee waiver available for low-income applicants)

Where to file:

• In person at the Superior Court Clerk's Office
• By mail (check county website for address)

Step 5: Serve All Required Parties

You must serve your petition on:

1. County Prosecutor's Office (in the county of conviction)
2. New Jersey State Police
3. Municipal Court Clerk (if municipal ordinance)
4. Attorney General (if state law enforcement was involved)
5. Any law enforcement agency that arrested you
6. Any detention facility where you were held

How to serve:

• Certified mail with return receipt requested
• Hand delivery with signed acknowledgment

Step 6: File Proof of Service

After serving all parties, file a Certification of Service with the court showing when and how each party was served.

Step 7: Wait for Objections

Per N.J.S.A. 2C:52-9, "upon the filing of a petition for relief pursuant to this chapter, the court shall, by order, fix a time not less than 35 nor more than 60 days thereafter for hearing of the matter."

The prosecutor has this time to object to your expungement. If no objection is filed, the court will review your petition.

Step 8: Attend Hearing (If Required)

If the prosecutor objects, the court will schedule a hearing. You must attend.

What to bring:

• Copies of all filed documents
• Proof of payment of all fines
• Proof of completed probation/parole (if applicable)
• Evidence of rehabilitation (employment records, character references)

Step 9: Receive Your Order

If granted, the judge will sign the Order for Expungement. Get multiple certified copies.

Step 10: Distribute the Order

The court will send the order to the State Police, but you should also:

• Send certified copies to all agencies you originally served
• Keep a certified copy for your personal records

4. Court Information — New Jersey Superior Court

Expungement petitions are filed in Superior Court, Law Division, Criminal Part.

Finding Your County Court:

Bergen County Superior Court

• 10 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601
• Phone: 201-646-2300
• Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon–Fri

Essex County Superior Court

• 50 West Market Street, Newark, NJ 07102
• Phone: 973-776-9300
• Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon–Fri

Hudson County Superior Court

• 595 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
• Phone: 201-795-6600
• Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon–Fri

Middlesex County Superior Court

• 56 Paterson Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
• Phone: 732-519-3200
• Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon–Fri

Monmouth County Superior Court

• 71 Monument Park, Freehold, NJ 07728
• Phone: 732-677-4300
• Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon–Fri

Ocean County Superior Court

• 118 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08754
• Phone: 732-929-4600
• Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon–Fri

Passaic County Superior Court

• 77 Hamilton Street, Paterson, NJ 07505
• Phone: 973-247-8500
• Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon–Fri

Union County Superior Court

• 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07208
• Phone: 908-527-4000
• Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon–Fri

Camden County Superior Court

• 101 Park Boulevard, Camden, NJ 08109
• Phone: 856-650-9100
• Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon–Fri

Burlington County Superior Court

• 49 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, NJ 08060
• Phone: 609-518-2500
• Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon–Fri

Filing Fee: $75 (check or money order payable to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey")

Fee Waiver: Available for low-income applicants. Ask the Clerk for a fee waiver application.

5. Filing Checklist

Before going to court, confirm you have:

• [ ] Criminal history record from NJ State Police
• [ ] Completed Petition for Expungement (signed and notarized)
• [ ] Proposed Order for Expungement
• [ ] Verification form completed
• [ ] $75 filing fee (or fee waiver application)
• [ ] Self-addressed, stamped envelopes for all parties being served
• [ ] Certified mail receipts for service
• [ ] Proof of payment for all fines and court costs
• [ ] Proof of completed probation/parole (if applicable)
• [ ] Copy of your driver's license or state ID

6. What to Bring to the Hearing

If a hearing is scheduled, bring:

• [ ] Original petition and all attachments (filed copy)
• [ ] Certified copies of the filed petition
• [ ] Proof of service on all required parties
• [ ] Criminal history record from State Police
• [ ] Proof of fine payment (receipts, cancelled checks)
• [ ] Proof of probation/parole completion (certificate from probation office)
• [ ] Employment records (showing rehabilitation)
• [ ] Character reference letters (optional but helpful)
• [ ] Government-issued photo ID
• [ ] Notepad and pen for taking notes

Dress professionally. Arrive 15 minutes early.

7. What Happens After Filing

Timeline:

Possible Outcomes:

1. Granted — Your records are sealed. The court sends the order to all agencies.
2. Granted with civil judgment — If you still owe fines, the court may grant expungement but enter a civil judgment for unpaid amounts.
3. Denied — You may reapply if you fix the issue (e.g., pay outstanding fines, wait longer).
4. Contested — The prosecutor may object. You'll need to attend a hearing.

After Expungement:

• Most private employers cannot see your expunged record
• You can legally answer "no" when asked about expunged arrests or convictions on most job applications
• Law enforcement and courts can still access expunged records for certain purposes
• Federal agencies may still have records — expungement is a state remedy

8. New Jersey Legal Aid Resources

If you cannot afford an attorney, contact these LSC-funded legal aid organizations:

Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ)

• Statewide hotline: 888-576-5529
• Website: lsnj.org
• Serves: All New Jersey counties

Northeast New Jersey Legal Services

• Phone: 201-792-6363
• Serves: Bergen, Hudson, Passaic counties

Central Jersey Legal Services

• Phone: 732-499-7200
• Serves: Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Union counties

South Jersey Legal Services

• Phone: 800-496-4570
• Serves: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem counties

Essex-Newark Legal Services

• Phone: 973-624-4500
• Serves: Essex County

Legal Aid Society of Middlesex County

• Phone: 732-249-7600
• Serves: Middlesex County

Find more legal aid: lsc.gov/find-legal-aid

9. Controlling Statute Citations

10. Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Expungement law in New Jersey is complex and fact-specific. For legal advice about your situation, legal advice, contact a licensed New Jersey attorney or your local legal aid organization.

jurisdiction-correct New Jersey expungement templates are available from Jurist-Diction at /states/new-jersey/expungement — starting at $47. Templates are for informational purposes only.

Last updated: March 2026 | Jurist-Diction covers expungement documents for: NY, NJ, PA, MD, DE, MS, TN