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Clear your New Jersey record DIY

You can clear your New Jersey record. New Jersey law lets you expunge certain arrest records and certain convictions under N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2C:52-1 et seq. The process uses a petition filed with the court that handled the case and may involve a court hearing.

Expeal Ranking

New Jersey's Expeal ranking is 10 out of 15, or a B-. This is the average of five metric scores across four case types.

Metric Misdemeanor — Arrest Misdemeanor — Conviction Felony — Arrest Felony — Conviction
Clean Slate 2 2 2 2
Expeal 2 2 2 2
Tasks 2 2 2 2
Wait 3 1 3 0
Cost 2 2 2 2
Total 11 9 11 8

The metrics are defined as follows:

  • Clean Slate: 3 if implemented; 2 if proposed or in the process of being implemented; 1 if being discussed; 0 if nothing.
  • Expeal: 3 if records are erased or destroyed; 2 if records are hidden but still exist; 1 if records are given a notation or some other form of reduction; 0 if nothing or if the process requires a pardon or similar prerequisite.
  • Tasks: 3 if application alone or automatic; 2 if straightforward court or administrative engagement is required; 1 if administrative engagement is required before straightforward court; 0 if convincing the court is required.
  • Wait: 3 if immediate to 1 year; 2 if 1 to 3 years; 1 if 3 to 5 years; 0 if more than 5 years or an intermediate step is required before the clock starts.
  • Cost: 3 if under $50; 2 if $50.01 to $250; 1 if $250.01 to $500; 0 if more than $500.

Governing statutes

Fees

Fee Amount Source
Fingerprint fee $44.13 Reference
Certified copy fee $15.00 Reference

Step-by-step process

Below are the five phases that take you through the Expeal process in New Jersey if you don't qualify for the automatic process.

If you have to mail anything, remember to keep a copy of whatever you send and to use a method with a tracking number like the USPS Flat Rate Envelope.

Phase 1: Verifying you Qualify

  1. Step 1: Get Fingerprinted. Visit your local police or sheriff's station and have your fingerprints taken.

    Cost: $44.13

  2. Step 2: Request your Record. Complete and submit your application to request an official copy of your criminal history record from the New Jersey State Police Personal Records Request portal.

    Cost: $0.00 (There is no background check fee for New Jersey criminal history record requests.)

  3. Step 3: Review your Record. Confirm there is no disqualifying information in your history. If there is something incorrect, follow the process to challenge the issue. If everything is accurate, make a copy for your file and keep the original somewhere safe.

Phase 2: Collecting your Documents

  1. Step 4: Request Certified Documents. Collect certified copies of relevant documents. These include a copy of the disposition of the case from the clerk of court that handled the original case and the arrest record from the arresting agency. If you had probation or parole, had to take classes, had to pay fees, or had any other obligations, you also need certified proof that you completed those requirements.

    Cost: $15.00

  2. Step 5: Verify the Final Documents. Review each document for accuracy. Confirm each one is certified and clearly shows you completed your obligations. Make copies of every original.

Phase 3: Completing the Petition

  1. Step 6: Prepare your Petition. Complete the petition based on the type of charge and outcome you are seeking. Under N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2C:52-1 et seq., certain conviction records require a five-year waiting period and certain other convictions require a ten-year waiting period before you can file — confirm the applicable wait for your charge class before submitting.

  2. Step 7: Finalize your Petition. Take the completed petition from Step 6, the documents collected in Step 4, and the background check from Step 2, and put them together in a complete package. Double-check every file in the package is the original and ensure you have a copy of the complete package for your personal file.

Phase 4: Final Steps

  1. Step 8: File your Expeal Request. File the petition with the New Jersey court that handled the case.

    Cost: $0.00 (New Jersey charges no filing fee for expungement petitions per N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2C:52-1 et seq.)

  2. Step 9: Work with the Court. After the New Jersey court confirms it has received your filing, watch for the next instructions — typically a hearing notice or a request for additional documents. Respond promptly to anything the court asks for, and prepare for the hearing if one is scheduled.

Phase 5: Confirming Your Record is Cleared

  1. Step 10: Receive the Court's Order. Once the judge rules, the court issues a written order either granting or denying your petition. Review the order's terms carefully — they spell out exactly which records are covered. Keep a certified copy for your own files.

  2. Step 11: Verify the Record is Cleared. Under N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2C:52-1 et seq., the New Jersey State Police and the original arresting agency update or remove the records covered by the order. You can check the New Jersey State Police Expungement Status Portal to confirm the State Police records reflect the order. If a background-check provider later produces an outdated report, your certified copy of the court's order is your authoritative reference.

Official government links

The following pages are important to be familiar with as you work through the expungement process:

Forms

The following links lead to official forms required for the expungement process:

Common questions

Is this legal advice?

No. Expeal provides plain-language educational content and tools with direct citations to your state's statutes — not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.

Why is this free?

The state-by-state guides — statutes, fees, steps, sources — are free for everyone. Expeal's revenue model is the optional DIY+ guided product available in select states, which funds the public-benefit educational content.