Legal Packet

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NEW YORK )

) ss.

[COUNTY] COUNTY )

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IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF:

[APPLICANT FULL NAME],

Applicant.

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APPLICATION FOR SEALING OF CONVICTION RECORDS

PURSUANT TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW § 160.59

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF [COUNTY]

Index No.: _______________

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COMES NOW Applicant, [APPLICANT FULL NAME], and files this Application for

Sealing of Conviction Records pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59, and

in support thereof states as follows:

APPLICANT INFORMATION

1. Applicant's full name: [APPLICANT FULL NAME]

1. Applicant's date of birth: [DATE OF BIRTH]

1. Applicant's Social Security Number: [XXX-XX-XXXX]

1. Applicant's current address: [STREET ADDRESS], [CITY], NY [ZIP]

1. Applicant's phone number: [PHONE NUMBER]

CONVICTION INFORMATION

1. Applicant was convicted of the following offense(s):

1. The conviction(s) occurred in [COUNTY] County, New York.

ELIGIBILITY

1. Under N.Y. Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59(c), a court may, upon application

of a person convicted of an eligible offense, order the sealing of all

official records relating to the conviction if:

• At least ten years have elapsed from the date of sentencing or release
• The applicant has not been convicted of any crime during that period
• The conviction is for an eligible offense

1. The conviction(s) for which sealing is sought [is/is an] eligible offense

under CPL § 160.59(b). [List the offense and confirm it is not a

disqualified offense listed in CPL § 160.59(b)(2)]

1. [NUMBER] years have elapsed since the date of sentencing or release from

incarceration for the conviction(s) listed above.

1. Applicant has [not] been convicted of any other crime in New York or any

other jurisdiction since the conviction(s) for which sealing is sought.

[If there are other convictions, list and explain why they do not disqualify

the applicant:]

1. Applicant is not currently facing any pending criminal charges in any

jurisdiction.

1. Applicant has no open warrants or pending criminal matters.

REHABILITATION

1. Applicant has demonstrated rehabilitation through the following:

[Check all that apply:]

[ ] Completion of sentence (probation, parole, incarceration)

[Provide details:]

[ ] Employment history

[List employers, dates, positions:]

[ ] Education and training

[List degrees, certificates, programs:]

[ ] Community service and volunteer work

[Describe:]

[ ] Treatment programs completed

[Describe:]

[ ] Character references

[Attach letters of recommendation:]

[ ] Other evidence of rehabilitation

[Describe:]

1. Applicant seeks sealing of conviction records to:

[Check all that apply:]

[ ] Obtain employment

[ ] Obtain housing

[ ] Obtain professional licensure

[ ] Pursue educational opportunities

[ ] Remove barriers to full participation in society

[ ] Other: [Explain:]

CERTIFICATIONS

1. Applicant certifies that the conviction(s) for which sealing is sought

[is not/is] for any of the following disqualified offenses:

• Class A felony
• Violent felony offense
• Felony sex offense
• Offense requiring registration as a sex offender
• Conspiracy to commit any of the above offenses
• Attempt to commit any of the above offenses
• Solicitation to commit any of the above offenses

1. Applicant certifies that [he/she/they] has not previously been granted sealing

for the conviction(s) listed above.

1. Applicant understands that sealing does NOT:

• Expunge or destroy the conviction records
• Remove the conviction from criminal history for all purposes
• Prevent law enforcement and courts from accessing sealed records
• Allow denial of the conviction when required by law to disclose

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Applicant respectfully requests that this Court:

a) Order the sealing of all official records relating to the conviction(s) listed

above pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59;

b) Direct the appropriate agencies to seal the records;

c) Grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

VERIFICATION

I, [APPLICANT FULL NAME], affirm under the penalties of perjury pursuant to

N.Y. Penal Law § 210.45 that I am the Applicant in this matter; that I have read

the foregoing Application; and that the facts stated therein are true and correct

to the best of my knowledge, except as to matters alleged on information and

belief, which I believe to be true.

Dated: _____________, 20___

______________________________

[SIGNATURE]

[APPLICANT FULL NAME, printed]

[ADDRESS]

[CITY, STATE, ZIP]

[PHONE NUMBER]

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FILING INSTRUCTIONS

Supreme Court of New York - [County] County

Court: Supreme Court of New York, [County] County

Address: [County Courthouse Address]

Filing Fee: Approximately $210 (varies by county)

Fee Waiver: Request "Poor Person Order" from clerk

Eligibility Requirements (CPL § 160.59):

You may be eligible to seal conviction records if:

1. At least 10 years have passed since sentencing or release from incarceration
2. You have not been convicted of any crime during those 10 years
3. The conviction is for an "eligible offense" (NOT a disqualified offense)

DISQUALIFIED OFFENSES — YOU CANNOT SEAL:

• Class A felonies (murder, major drug trafficking, etc.)
• Violent felony offenses ( robbery, burglary, assault, etc.)
• Felony sex offenses
• Any offense requiring sex offender registration
• Conspiracy, attempt, or solicitation to commit any of the above

ELIGIBLE OFFENSES (examples):

• Most misdemeanors
• Non-violent felonies (certain drug offenses, larceny, fraud, etc.)
• Traffic infractions (in some cases)

Required Documents:

1. Application for Sealing (this document)
2. Certificate of disposition for each conviction
3. Proof of completion of sentence
4. Proof of rehabilitation (employment records, education, character references)
5. Criminal history report from NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services
6. Filing fee or fee waiver request

Process:

1. File the application with the Supreme Court in the county of conviction
2. Serve a copy on the District Attorney's office
3. The court will schedule a hearing
4. Attend the hearing and present evidence of rehabilitation
5. If granted, obtain certified copies of the sealing order

What Sealing Does:

• Sealed records are not disclosed to most private employers, landlords, or the public
• You may legally state you have not been convicted of the sealed offense (with exceptions)
• Law enforcement and courts can still access sealed records
• Some employers (schools, daycares, government) may still access sealed records

Key Statutory References:

• N.Y. Criminal Procedure Law § 160.55 — Sealing of non-criminal offense convictions
• N.Y. Criminal Procedure Law § 160.58 — Sealing of controlled substance offenses
• N.Y. Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59 — Sealing of certain felony and misdemeanor convictions

Important Notes:

• This is NOT expungement — records are sealed, not destroyed
• You must wait the full 10-year period before applying
• Any new conviction during the waiting period resets the clock
• Consult with an attorney or legal aid for complex cases

Court Locations by Major County:

• New York County (Manhattan): 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007
• Kings County (Brooklyn): 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
• Queens County: 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435
• Bronx County: 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
• Richmond County (Staten Island): 26 Central Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10301

Legal Aid Resources:

• Legal Aid Society (NYC): (212) 577-3300
• LawHelpNY: https://www.lawhelpny.org
• The Legal Action Center: (212) 243-1313
• LSC Finder: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/find-legal-aid

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Jurisdiction-correct document templates. Not legal advice.

Document Version: NY-SEAL-2026-01

Last Updated: March 2026

Statutory Reference: N.Y. Criminal Procedure Law §§ 160.55, 160.58, 160.59