Expungement of Record
This information is for reference and research purposes. This section explains the basic forms needed for Expungement of record on a step by step basis. Expungement is controlled by 18 Pa.C.S.A. §9122. Generally, expungement is the process to "remove from general review" the records pertaining to an arrest, citation, or adjudication of summary or criminal charges. However, not all criminal records are eligible for expungement, and the records may not completely "disappear." Records may still be available to law enforcement and may still be considered a prior conviction for some purposes. Expungement is not automatic, and the court may choose not to grant the request. To determine if your criminal records fall within the categories of records eligible to be expunged, consult an attorney.
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SECTION 1. Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Record
- Online Request
- Submit a Request Form
- Complete Criminal History Request Form
- Obtain money order or certified check in the amount of $10.00
payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Mail completed form and money order/certified check to:
Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository-164
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758
(NOTE-the above information is subject to change, see website for updated information).
SECTION 2. Form Preparation
Step 1. For Summary Cases complete the following forms:
Step 2. Signature
Sign and date the Petition for Expungement and the Certificate of Service from Step 1 Form that requires your signature.
Step 3. Photocopies
Make three (3) copies of the signed and dated Petition for Expungement and Certificate of Service.
Step 4. Packet Assembly
Assemble in four (4) packets:
- One (1) packet for the Clerk of Courts-Criminal Division
Containing the following completed forms and documents:
- Original Petition
- Original Certificate of Service
- Photocopy of Pennsylvania Criminal History Record
- One (1) packet to be served on the Office of Court Administration
- One(1) packet to be served on the District Attorney's Office;
- And, One(1) copy for your records all containing the following completed forms and documents:
- Original Petition
- Original Certificate of Service
- Photocopy of Pennsylvania Criminal History Record
- A packet containing these forms is available here in both Adobe PDF and Microsoft Word formats:
- Expungement Form Packet
- Expungement Form Packet
SECTION 3. Filing and Serving the Expungement
Step 1-Filing
Take the following items to the Clerk of Courts-Criminal Division, Northampton County Courthouse, Lower Level:
- All four (4) completed packets from Section 2-(Form Preperation, Step 4), along with cash or money order to cover the Expungement filing fee.
- One (1) Self-Addressed stamped envelope.
(NOTE: If you change your address after filing the motion, be sure to provide written notification of your new address.)
Step 2-Serving Date
The easiest way to serve the District Attorney's Office and Office of Court Administration is to hand deliver them to the offices while you are still at the courthouse:
Hand deliver a time-stamped packet to the District Attorney's Office, then hand deliver the other time-stamped packet to the Office of Court Administration.
(Note, if it is not possible to hand deliver these packets to the appropriate office, you may mail each packet to the address provided on the Certificate of Service.)
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Disclaimer
The forms and instructions that are available from this website are not a substitute for professional legal advice. Court employees cannot give you legal advice or help you fill out /complete the forms. It is your responsibility to read and complete the forms and to take required steps to file and serve the documents. If you decide to use these forms in an actual action, be prepared to spend appropriate time gathering information, completing forms and following the Rules of Court. The Court assumes no responsibility for the use of these forms and accepts no liability for actions taken by using these documents, including reliance on the instructions and/or contents. To obtain legal advice and to insure the proper use of this material, you should contact a lawyer.
If you want to obtain the service of an attorney, but do not know whom to contact, you should visit the Northampton County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service website.