Cleaning Your Record/Expungement

Cleaning Your Record / Expungement

Cleaning up your criminal record

If you have been convicted of a crime, you may be eligible for relief through a relatively simple legal process. Some convictions can be modified so that, when applying for most jobs, you may legally state that you were not convicted of that crime. In certain situations, felony convictions may be reduced to misdemeanors.

San Joaquin County residents who have completed a prison term may also be eligible for a Certificate of Rehabilitation and Pardon.

Note: This information applies only to criminal convictions obtained in California.

Forms and resources for assistance

Petition for dismissal (Penal Code 1203.4 or 1203.4a)

• The California Courts – Cleaning Your Record page provides detailed information about expungement options.
• Required forms are available on the California Courts Forms website.

Sealing your record

• Visit California Courts – Cleaning Your Record and review the section titled “Figuring out your options.”
• Forms for record sealing petitions are available on the California Courts Forms page.

Certificate of rehabilitation or pardon

• Learn how to apply for a pardon on the Governor of California – Pardons page, and review the Quick reference for restoration of rights (PDF), opens PDF document .
• Instructions for filing a Petition for Certificate of Rehabilitation and Pardon are available in the Instructions packet (PDF), opens PDF document and on the California Courts Self-Help website .
• Required forms include:
  • Petition for Certificate of Rehabilitation (PDF), opens PDF document 
  • Notice of filing (PDF), opens PDF document 
  • Certificate of rehabilitation (PDF), opens PDF document 

Finding the details of your conviction

Before requesting relief, you must know what appears on your criminal record so you can determine which options and forms apply to your situation. Visit the California Courts – Cleaning Your Record page for information on how to obtain your criminal history.