Getting Started
Request to Expunge & Impound and/or Seal Criminal
Records
IMPORTANT: This getting started guide and the instructions are not legal advice. They are only meant to help
you learn how to expunge and/or seal your criminal record. Your use of the forms does not guarantee you will
be successful in court.
To learn how to fill out the forms and file them with the court, read the How to Expunge and/or Seal a Criminal
Record instruction booklet and the instructions on the forms.
Names of forms:
• Request to Expunge & Impound and/or Seal Criminal Records
• Notice of Filing for Expungement and/or Sealing
• Order to Expunge & Impound and/or Seal Criminal Records
• Order Denying Request to Expunge & Impound and/or Seal Criminal
Records
• Additional Arrests or Cases for Expungement (if needed)
• Additional Arrests or Cases for Sealing (if needed)
• Additional Notice of Filing for Expungement or Sealing (if needed)
Purpose of the forms: To erase arrests, court supervisions, and some types of probation from
your criminal record so it is like they never happened.
To hide certain
criminal convictions from public view.
Types of cases the forms
CAN be used for:
When you have been arrested or charged with criminal offenses or
convicted of an eligible criminal offense. See How to Expunge and/or Seal
a Criminal Record for a complete list of eligible offenses.
Types of cases the forms
• Minor traffic cases (where you were charged in court). Although minor
CANNOT be used for:
traffic offenses cannot be expunged, you can still expunge other
eligible criminal records when your record includes both.
• Eviction cases (use eviction forms (when approved) or motion forms
found at: illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/approved-forms)
• Other felonies—see How to Expunge and/or Seal a Criminal Record
for a complete list of ineligible offenses.
Cost to file the forms: Yes, there are costs to file the forms. If you cannot afford to pay the filing
fee, you can ask the court to file for free by filing the Application for Waiver
of Court Fees found at: illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-
Special information or papers
• Details about the arrests and charges in your criminal record;
needed to complete the
• Addresses of police departments that arrested you;
forms:
• Addresses of the State’s Attorney’s offices that filed charges against
you; AND
• Addresses of chief legal officers where you were arrested.
Statutes covering the forms:
20 ILCS 2630/5.2
Where to find the forms and
illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/approved-forms
For more information:
Read the How to Expunge and/or Seal a Criminal Record instruction
booklet that comes with these forms. You may also find more information,
resources, and the location of your local county self help center at:
www.illinoislegalaid.org/Sealing or www.illinois.gov/osad/Expungement.
Find Illinois Supreme Court approved forms at: illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/approved-forms.
