New Jersey Expeal Guide

Note: The links and statutes were last checked on March 23, 2026. If you're looking at this after that date, please check yourself to make sure everything is still accurate.

New Jersey allows for the the expungement of certain arrest records and certain convictions. New Jersey requires the use of a petition and a potential court hearing for now but will eventually acheive automation.

Aspects of the process that are unique to the state include:

• New Jersey restricts you to expungement of just one felony conviction in a lifetime.

Expeal Ranking

New Jersey's Expeal ranking is 10 out of 15, or a C+.

This is based on the average of the following scores:

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 it requires a pardon or something similar before becoming available
• Tasks: 3 if application alone or automatic; 2 if straightforward court or administrative engagement required; 1 if administrative engagement required before straightforward court; 0 if convincing required
• Wait: 3 if immediate to 1 year; 2 if 1 to 3 years; 1 if 3 years to 5 years; 0 if > 5 years or intermediate step before tolling
• Cost: 3 if < $50; 2 if $50.01 to $250; 1 if $250.01 to $500; 0 if > $500.01

Steps

Below are the five phases that take you through the Expeal process in New Jersey if you don't qualify for the automatic process. Remember: 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 $10.30 USPS Flat Rate Envelope.

Phase 1: Verifying you Qualify

• Step 1: Get Fingerprinted. Visit your local police or sheriff's station and have your fingerprints taken. Cost: Typically $44.13, depending on the provider.
• Step 2: Request your Record. Request an official copy of your criminal history record. Cost: There is no background check fee.
• 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

• Step 4: Request Certified Documents. Collect certified copies of relevant documents. This 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 need to get a certified copy of whatever proves you completed the requirements as well. Cost: Varies based on agency, but a good baseline is the fees from the clerk of court, which charges $15.00 to certify a document and up to $0.05 for every page that needs to be photocopied.
• Step 5: Verify the Final Documents. This may seem obvious, but there have been enough instances of wrong information, missing signatures, or other issues that it is absolutely worth spending the time to review each document you've received and making sure it is both certified and clearly shows you have completed whatever you were required to do. Make sure you make copies of each original file.

Phase 3: Completing the Petition

• Step 6: Prepare your Petition. Complete the petition based on the type of charge and outcome you are seeking. Among other requirements, there are timing restrictions to note: certain conviction records require five years to pass and certain convictions require ten years to pass.
• 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

• Step 8: File your Expeal Request. File the petition with the court that handled the case. Cost: There is no filing fee.
• Step 9: Work with the Court. After confirming the files have been received by the court, wait to hear how they want to proceed in terms of a hearing or otherwise.

Phase 5: Celebrate!

• Step 10: Enjoy your Second Chance! Begin the next chapter in your life with the legal ability to say you were never even arrested for the charges you just cleared! While we understand you won't want to tell people you used Expeal, we do hope you'll recommend us when you hear about someone who could use the service. Best of luck with everything!

Statutes

The following statutes govern the Expeal process in New Jersey:

• 2C:52-1 to 2C:52-32.1

Official Government Links

Agencies

The following pages are important for you to be familiar with as you go through the Expeal process:

• New Jersey Office of the Public Defender's page on expungements.
• New Jersey State Police's Expungement Status Portal.

Forms

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

• New Jersey Courts' online form.