How to file to clear a record in New Jersey

Where and how you file in New Jersey, the fee and the official forms.

Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.

Short answer

File online through the eCourts Expungement System (free) or on paper in the Superior Court of the county where you live or of any county where one of your convictions was entered.

Main remedy
Regular Expungement - Indictable Offense (crime)
Cost
No filing fee (N.J.S.A. 2C:52-29; NJ Courts: the eCourts Expungement System is free).
Forms
6

Filing step by step in New Jersey

Regular Expungement - Indictable Offense (crime)

File online through the eCourts Expungement System (free) or on paper in the Superior Court of the county where you live or of any county where one of your convictions was entered. The prosecutor and other agencies get notice and may object; the judge may ask you to come to court. After the order, the State Police remove the record from its computerized criminal history; track it on the NJSP Expungement Status Portal.

Cost
No filing fee (N.J.S.A. 2C:52-29; NJ Courts: the eCourts Expungement System is free).

Regular Expungement - Disorderly Persons and Petty Disorderly Persons Offenses

File online through the eCourts Expungement System or in the Superior Court of the county where you live or of any county where one of your convictions was entered.

Cost
No filing fee.

Law: N.J.S.A. 2C:52-29

Municipal Ordinance Violations

File through the eCourts Expungement System or in the Superior Court of the county where you live or of any county where a conviction was entered.

Cost
No filing fee.

Law: N.J.S.A. 2C:52-29

Clean Slate Expungement by Petition

File through eCourts in the Superior Court of the county where you live or of any county where one of your convictions was entered. Unpaid fines not caused by willful noncompliance do not block relief; they become a civil judgment.

Cost
No filing fee.

Law: N.J.S.A. 2C:52-29

Arrests Not Resulting in Conviction (including expedited expungement)

Usually ordered automatically at dismissal or acquittal; otherwise file a verified petition at any time in the Superior Court of the county where you live or where the case ended (eCourts).

Cost
No filing fee.

Law: N.J.S.A. 2C:52-29

Recovery Court (Drug Court) Expungement

Ordered by the Recovery Court at graduation; earlier graduates apply through eCourts.

Cost
No filing fee.

Law: N.J.S.A. 2C:52-29

Court self-help

Checklist: what to gather before you file

Exclusions in New Jersey

  • Regular Expungement - Indictable Offense (crime): Criminal homicide (except death by auto and strict-liability vehicular homicide); kidnapping; luring; human trafficking; sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault; aggravated criminal sexual contact; criminal sexual contact, criminal restraint or false imprisonment of a minor (in listed cases); robbery; arson; child sexual endangerment and child sexual abuse material offenses; perjury and false swearing; promoting prostitution of one's child; terrorism; chemical, biological or nuclear weapons; crimes by public officials touching their office; most drug sale/distribution convictions (except small marijuana/hashish amounts, or third/fourth-degree with compelling circumstances).
  • Regular Expungement - Disorderly Persons and Petty Disorderly Persons Offenses: Not available under this section if you have any crime (indictable) conviction; use the indictable or Clean Slate route instead.
  • Clean Slate Expungement by Petition: Any conviction for a crime listed as non-expungeable in N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2(b) or (c).
  • Arrests Not Resulting in Conviction (including expedited expungement): Not available when the dismissal was part of a plea deal on other charges (until that conviction is expunged), or when the case ended because you were found insane or lacked capacity. After PTI, conditional discharge or conditional dismissal you must wait 6 months; after Veterans Diversion or Mental Health Diversion there is no wait.

Law: N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2, 2C:52-14, 2C:52-29; N.J.S.A. 2C:52-3; N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.3; N.J.S.A. 2C:52-6

What changes afterwards

After an expungement, the arrest, conviction and related proceedings are deemed not to have occurred, and you may answer questions about them accordingly. Exceptions: you must disclose expunged records if you apply for a job in the judiciary or with a law enforcement or corrections agency; you must tell a court deciding whether to admit you to a diversion program about an earlier diversion expungement; and the fact of an expungement is disclosed when required under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-8. Agencies must reply that there is no record.

Law: N.J.S.A. 2C:52-27; N.J.S.A. 2C:52-15

Get your own record in New Jersey

New Jersey State Police (Computerized Criminal History system) · 609-671-7900

After a judge signs your order, register on the NJSP Expungement Status Portal to track whether the State Police has removed the record.

Letter: ask the state records office for a copy of your record

In nearby states

  • Delaware: $72 to apply (fingerprints and criminal history); if eligible, a $75 money order payable to the Delaware State Police.
  • Maryland: No filing fee for acquittal, dismissal, PBJ, nolle prosequi, stet or not-criminally-responsible dispositions.
  • Connecticut: No court fee for any petition under this section.

Steps to file in New Jersey

  1. Gather your papers

    You need your case numbers, court papers and proof you finished your sentence. Checklist: what to gather before you file.

  3. File with the clerk

    After you file, the prosecutor may respond and the court decides.

Free help in New Jersey

Questions about filing in New Jersey

What is the waiting period in New Jersey?

Indictable offense (crime): 5 years, counted from the most recent conviction, payment of court-ordered fines and fees, completion of probation or parole, or release from incarceration, whichever is later; Indictable offense, early (compelling circumstances): 4 years, counted from the same latest date; Disorderly persons / petty disorderly persons offense: 5 years, counted from the most recent conviction, payment of court-ordered fines and fees, completion of probation or parole, or release from incarceration, whichever is later; Disorderly persons offense, early (compelling circumstances): 3 years, counted from the same latest date.

How much does it cost to clear a record in New Jersey?

Regular Expungement - Indictable Offense (crime): No filing fee (N.J.S.A. 2C:52-29; NJ Courts: the eCourts Expungement System is free). Regular Expungement - Disorderly Persons and Petty Disorderly Persons Offenses: No filing fee. Municipal Ordinance Violations: No filing fee. Clean Slate Expungement by Petition: No filing fee. Arrests Not Resulting in Conviction (including expedited expungement): No filing fee. Recovery Court (Drug Court) Expungement: No filing fee.

How do I get a copy of my criminal record in New Jersey?

After a judge signs your order, register on the NJSP Expungement Status Portal to track whether the State Police has removed the record.

Where can I get free help in New Jersey?

Legal Services of New Jersey (regional legal services offices) and NJ State Bar Association county lawyer referral services.

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