PENNSYLVANIA EXPUNGEMENT — LSC COMPANION GUIDE

Legal Services Corporation Partner Document

For use with: pa-expungement-petition-court-doc.md

What This Document Does

This guide helps you ask a Pennsylvania court to erase ("expunge") your criminal record. If the court grants your petition, the arrest and court records will be destroyed or sealed. Most employers, landlords, and the public will not be able to see the expunged record.

When to Use This Guide

You can use this guide if:

• You were arrested but NOT convicted (charges dismissed, acquitted, ARD completed)
• You have a juvenile record and enough time has passed
• You received an unconditional pardon
• No disposition was entered within 18 months of your arrest

Before You Start

You CAN use this guide if:

✓ Your case ended without a conviction

✓ You completed ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition)

✓ You have a juvenile record and meet the waiting periods

✓ You received an unconditional pardon

✓ You were found not guilty at trial

You probably CANNOT expunge if:

✗ You were convicted of a crime (with limited exceptions)

✗ You have pending criminal charges

✗ You are currently on probation or parole for another case

✗ Your offense involved certain sexual crimes against minors

✗ You were convicted of a felony (unless pardoned)

You may need a LAWYER if:

✗ You have multiple cases or a complex criminal history

✗ The District Attorney objects to your expungement

✗ You're not sure if you qualify

✗ You have out-of-state convictions

Types of Expungement in Pennsylvania

Adult Records (18 Pa.C.S. § 9122)

Juvenile Records (18 Pa.C.S. § 9123)

What You'll Need

Gather these items before filling out the petition:

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Get Your Criminal Record

1. Go to https://epatch.state.pa.us
2. Click "Submit a New Record Check"
3. Follow the prompts and pay $22
4. Print your PATCH report when it's ready (usually instant or within a few days)

Why you need this: The court needs to see your complete criminal history to verify eligibility.

Step 2: Get Your Court Docket

1. Contact the Clerk of Courts in the county where your case was
2. Request a copy of the docket or disposition for your case
3. Some counties have online dockets (search "[County Name] PA court dockets")

What to look for:

• Case number
• Charges
• Disposition (dismissed, acquitted, ARD, etc.)
• Disposition date

Step 3: Fill Out the Petition

1. Download and print the court document (pa-expungement-petition-court-doc.md)
2. Fill in ALL blanks — don't leave anything empty
3. Check the boxes that apply to your situation
4. Be accurate with dates and case numbers

Common mistakes to avoid:

• Wrong case numbers
• Missing dates
• Not checking the right eligibility boxes
• Forgetting to list all agencies that need notice

Step 4: Get the Petition Notarized

1. Do NOT sign the Verification section until you're in front of a notary
2. Bring valid photo ID
3. Find a notary at:

• Your bank (often free for customers)
• UPS Store, FedEx Office
• Some public libraries
• The courthouse

Step 5: Make Copies

Make 3–4 copies of:

• The completed, notarized petition
• Your PATCH report
• Your court docket/disposition

Keep one set for yourself.

Step 6: File with the Court

1. Go to the Clerk of Courts in the county where your case was
2. Tell the clerk you want to file a Petition for Expungement
3. Give them:

• Original petition
• Copy of PATCH report
• Copy of docket
• Filing fee (or IFP petition if you can't afford the fee)

1. The clerk will stamp your copies — keep one

Step 7: Wait for the District Attorney's Response

• The court must notify the District Attorney
• The DA has 10 days to object (18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(f))
• Most nonconviction expungements are not contested
• If the DA objects, you may need a hearing

Step 8: Attend the Hearing (If Required)

If a hearing is scheduled:

1. Dress neatly — business casual is fine
2. Arrive 15 minutes early
3. Bring:

• Your stamped copy of the petition
• Your PATCH report and docket
• Any supporting documents (employment letters, etc.)

1. What to say:

• "Your Honor, I am [your name] and I am requesting expungement of my record."
• Briefly explain why (employment, housing, etc.)
• "I meet the eligibility requirements under [section number]."

Step 9: Receive the Expungement Order

If the court grants your petition:

1. You'll receive a copy of the Expungement Order
2. The court will notify:

• Pennsylvania State Police
• The arresting agency
• Other agencies with your records

1. These agencies must destroy or seal your records

Keep your copy of the order forever.

Step 10: Verify Your Record Is Cleared

• Wait 3–6 months after the order
• Order a new PATCH report to verify the record is gone
• If the record still appears, contact the court clerk

How Long Does This Take?

Total time: 3–9 months typically

How Much Does This Cost?

Fee Waiver: If you can't afford the filing fee, ask the clerk for an In Forma Pauperis (IFP) petition. If approved, the filing fee may be waived.

What's the Difference Between Expungement and "Clean Slate"?

Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law (Act 56 of 2018) automatically seals certain records without a petition. If your record qualifies, you may not need to file anything. Check: https://www.courts.pa.gov/forms/clean-slate

Where to Get Help

Legal Aid (Free or Low-Cost)

Bar Association Lawyer Referral

• Pennsylvania Bar Association: (800) 932-0311
• First consultation often $25–$50

Clean Slate Information

• https://www.courts.pa.gov/forms/clean-slate
• https://www.paclean slate.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I expunge a conviction?

Generally, no. Pennsylvania does not allow expungement of most adult convictions. Exceptions:

• Underage drinking convictions (at age 21+)
• Unconditional pardons
• Some very old, minor offenses through Clean Slate

Will an expungement show up on a background check?

No. Once expunged, the record should not appear on most background checks. However:

• Some government agencies may still see limited information
• Private databases may have old information (harder to remove)

Can I expunge records from multiple cases at once?

Yes. You can include multiple cases in one petition if they're all from the same county and all eligible.

What if I was arrested but never charged?

Yes, you can expunge this. If no disposition was entered within 18 months and no action is pending, you qualify under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(a)(1).

Do I need a lawyer?

Not necessarily. Many people file expungement petitions on their own. But consider a lawyer if:

• You have a complex criminal history
• The DA objects
• You're not sure if you qualify

Can employers see expunged records?

No. Once expunged, you can legally answer "no" if an employer asks if you've been arrested or convicted for that offense. The expunged record should not appear on background checks.

What if the DA objects?

The court will schedule a hearing. You'll have a chance to explain why expungement should be granted. Consider getting legal help.

Checklist Before Filing

• [ ] Obtained PATCH report from PA State Police
• [ ] Obtained court docket/disposition for my case
• [ ] Confirmed I meet eligibility requirements
• [ ] Completed petition form (all blanks filled in)
• [ ] Got petition notarized
• [ ] Made copies of everything
• [ ] Know which county to file in
• [ ] Have filing fee or IFP petition ready
• [ ] Listed all agencies that need notice

Disclaimer

Jurisdiction-correct document templates. Not legal advice. Jurist-Diction is not a law firm. We cannot represent you in court or tell you what to do in your specific situation.

Expungement laws are complex and subject to change. Contact your local court, an attorney, or a legal aid organization for the most current information.

Guide prepared by Jurist-Diction in partnership with Legal Services Corporation grantees.

"The law, precisely spoken."

Version: 1.0

Last Updated: March 2026