How to file for Pennsylvania expungement or limited-access (sealing) petition without a lawyer
Last updated: May 2026
Pennsylvania expungement or limited-access (sealing) petition is governed by 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 (expungement), 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1 (petition-based sealing), and 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 9122.2 / 9122.3 (Clean Slate automatic sealing under Act 36 of 2023). This page walks you through the petition, the forms you'll need, the realistic timeline, and the most common pitfalls — written for petitioners who want to handle the filing themselves.
Not legal advice
ExpungeReady is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. The information on this page is general educational content about state expungement and record-sealing procedures. Document-preparation services we link to are not a substitute for legal representation. Eligibility rules vary by state, county, and individual circumstances — small mistakes on a petition can cause the court to deny your request.
If your case involves felony convictions, multiple offenses, immigration consequences, professional licensing, federal records, or any uncertainty about eligibility, consult a licensed attorney in your state before filing.
ExpungeReady earns a commission on some links on this page. We only recommend providers we believe are useful for self-represented petitioners.
DIY DIFFICULTY
3/5
Moderate
FILING FEE
Court of Common Pleas filing fee typically $132 plus a Pennsylvania State Police processing fee of $22; some counties add a small clerk surcharge
Is DIY realistic in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is mid-range for DIY. The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts publishes standardized petition forms (AOPC) for both expungement and limited-access sealing, and many summary and ARD-completion cases are automatically sealed under Clean Slate without any filing at all. Petition-based filings still require service on the District Attorney and Pennsylvania State Police and benefit from careful citation to the correct statute.
Where the petition is filed
Filed in the Court of Common Pleas in the county where the case was originally heard
Realistic timeline: 3–6 months from filing to order, depending on county
Required forms
- AOPC Petition for Expungement (for non-convictions, ARD completion, summary offenses ≥ 5 years old)
- AOPC Petition for Order for Limited Access (for misdemeanor sealing under § 9122.1)
- Proposed Order of Court
- Verification page signed by the petitioner
You can complete the forms yourself using the templates published by the Pennsylvania courts, or use a legal-forms service that pre-fills them based on your case details (faster, fewer mistakes, but does not provide legal advice).
Documents to gather first
- Certified copy of the docket from the magisterial district court or Court of Common Pleas clerk
- Court cost receipt showing all fines, fees, and restitution paid in full
- PSP criminal-history record (PATCH printout)
- Filing fee plus PSP processing fee
Pull your own Pennsylvania criminal-history record before you file. The petition has to match the official record exactly; case numbers, arresting agency, and disposition language must all line up. See our Pennsylvania background-check guide for the official self-check process.
Common reasons Pennsylvania petitions get denied
- Filing for full expungement under § 9122 on a conviction that is only eligible for limited-access sealing under § 9122.1
- Filing manually for a case that would have been auto-sealed under Clean Slate within a few months
- Forgetting to attach the certified docket or PATCH printout
- Outstanding restitution — a record cannot be sealed or expunged while restitution is unpaid
When you should hire a Pennsylvania attorney
Any felony, any case with a co-defendant, prosecutor objection, prior unsuccessful filing, immigration consequences, or firearms-rights restoration. MyCleanSlatePA.com offers free attorney-led screening and is worth contacting before filing manually.
See Pennsylvania expungement attorneys →Frequently asked questions
If Pennsylvania Clean Slate is automatic, why would I ever file a petition?
Clean Slate covers a specific set of records on a defined timeline — summary offenses after 5 conviction-free years, qualifying misdemeanors after 7 years, and certain non-violent felonies after 10 years (under the 2023 Act 36 expansion). If your record falls outside that list, if the case predates the system's lookback, or if you want a full expungement that destroys the record (not just sealing), you still need to file a petition. Always check your record on PATCH and consult MyCleanSlatePA.com before assuming sealing has occurred.
How long does a Pennsylvania expungement take?
A Pennsylvania expungement or limited-access (sealing) petition petition typically takes 3–6 months from filing to order, depending on county from filing to final order. After the order is granted, allow another 30–60 days for state and private databases to remove the entry.
How much does it cost to file an expungement in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania expungement or limited-access (sealing) petition filing fee is Court of Common Pleas filing fee typically $132 plus a Pennsylvania State Police processing fee of $22; some counties add a small clerk surcharge. Document-preparation services cost an additional $40–$200; full attorney representation typically runs $800–$3,500.
How do I know if I qualify?
Eligibility depends on the specific offense, the disposition, the waiting period, and your overall criminal history — facts only a licensed attorney in your state can evaluate. Our consultation prep worksheet organizes the same information an attorney will ask about at a consultation.