Compare Records Clearance Policies | National Reentry Resource Center

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Clearance policy overview	Records relating to most class B misdemeanors can be annulled by the court two years after the sentence is completed, if the criteria are met. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (III)(b), (VI).	Records relating to most class A misdemeanors can be annulled by the court three years after sentence completion, if the criteria are met. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (III)(c), (VI).	Records relating to most class B felonies can be annulled by the court five years after sentence completion, if criteria are met. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (III)(d), (VI).	A record relating to a class A felony can be annulled by the court 10 years after sentence completion, if the criteria are met. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (III)(e), (VI).	A record relating to a class A misdemeanor for sexual assault can be annulled by the court 10 years after the sentence completion, if the criteria are met. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (III)(f), (VI).	A record relating to a class B felony for indecent exposure or lewdness can be annulled by the court 10 years after sentence completion, if the criteria are met. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (III)(g), (VI).	A record relating to a misdemeanor for domestic violence can be annulled by the court three years after sentence completion, if the criteria are met. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (III)(h), (VI).	A record relating to a class A misdemeanor for a drug offense can be annulled by the court two years after sentence completion, if criteria are met. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (III)(i), (VI).	Records relating to a felony or Class A misdemeanor can be annulled upon the successful completion of a period of conditional discharge. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:2 (VI-b).	Records relating to a delinquency matter that was dismissed following a program of supervisory treatment, conditional discharge, or conditional dismissal can be expunged six months after dismissal, so long as the person is not subject to a disqualifying event. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:52-6.	Prosecutors shall dismiss marijuana related charges for offenses that occurred prior to February 22, 2021. N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-23.1(a).	A marijuana related conviction, remaining sentence, ongoing supervision, or unpaid court-ordered financial assessment that is pending in court prior to February 22, 2021, may be vacated. N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-23.1 (b).	Records of specified drug offenses committed before age 21 may be expunged by the court one year after sentence completion for a person without any other drug conviction or violation of probation or parole. N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-5.	Records relating to a conviction for an indictable offense may be expunged by the court five years from the date of his most recent conviction, payment of any court-ordered financial assessment, satisfactory completion of probation or parole, or release from incarceration, whichever is later, so long as the person has no other indictable offense convictions and no more than three disorderly person or petty disorderly person convictions. Multiple indictable offenses may be treated as one if listed in a single judgement of conviction or if offenses were "interdependent or closely related in circumstances and were committed as part of a sequence of events that took place within a comparatively short period of time." N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-2(a).	Records relating to a municipal ordinance violations can be expunged by the court two years from the date of his conviction, payment of fine, satisfactory completion of probation or release from incarceration, whichever is later, without any prior or subsequent criminal conviction. N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-4.	Records relating to a juvenile delinquency complaint may be vacated and sealed upon petition, so long as two years have elapsed since final discharge from custody or supervision, or since the entry of any other court order not involving custody or supervision, and the person is not subject to a disqualifying event. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:4A-62(a).	A juvenile conviction for a marijuana related offense that occurred prior to February 22, 2021, will be expunged on the first day of the fifth month following that date. N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-6.1.	Records related to an adjudication for delinquent acts which if committed by an adult would constitute a marijuana related offense that occurred prior to the development of a system for sealing records (June 15, 2020), can be expunged after completion of probation/parole or release from incarceration or discharge from legal custody. N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-5.1(a)(1)(a).	Records related to more than one but less than five adjudications that would have constituted disorderly or petty disorderly persons offenses if committed by an adult, can be expunged upon petition so long as the person is not subject to a disqualifying event and at least three but less than five years have elapsed from the most recent adjudication, payment of fine, completion of probation, or release from commitment, whichever is later, and the person has not been otherwise convicted of a crime, disorderly persons offense, or petty disorderly persons offense since the time of the most recent conviction, and the court finds in its discretion that compelling circumstances exist to grant the expungement N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-3(b), (b)(2).	Records relating to an adjudication of delinquency can be sealed upon petition if the person is enlisted in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:4A-62(b).
Ineligible Category or Citation	See subsection (V) for offenses ineligible for annulment. See N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (V).	See subsection (V) for offenses ineligible for annulment. See N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (V).	See subsection (V) for offenses ineligible for annulment. See N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (V).	See subsection (V) for offenses ineligible for annulment. See N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (V).	This provision applies only to class A misdemeanor convictions under section 632-A:4.	This section applies only to class B felony convictions pursuant to section 645:1 (II).	This provision applies only to misdemeanor convictions under section 173-B:1.	This provision applies only to class A misdemeanor convictions under section 318-B:26 (II)(d) and (e).	See section 651:2 (VI)-(VIII) for information on conditional discharge.	The provisions of N.J.S.2C:52-7 through N.J.S.2C:52-14 shall not apply to an expungement pursuant to this subsection. An expungement under this subsection shall not be ordered where the dismissal, acquittal, or discharge resulted from a plea bargaining agreement involving the conviction of other charges. N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-6(a)(2)-(3).	Only the offenses listed in subsection (a) are eligible for relief. N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-23.1(a).	Only the offenses listed in subsection (b) are eligible for relief. N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-23.1(b).	This section applies only to convictions under chapters 35 or 36 of Title 2C for the possession or use of a controlled dangerous substance, violations of 2A:170-77.5, or violations of 2A:170-77.8. This section does not apply to convictions for the sale or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance or possession with the intent to sell any controlled dangerous substance except one ounce or less of marihuana or less than five grams of hashish. N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-5..	See subsections (b), (c), and (d) for offenses ineligible for expungement. See N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-2.	This provision applies only to violations of municipal ordinances.	A person is ineligible for sealing under this provision if the person has been convicted of a crime, or a disorderly persons offense or adjudged delinquent, during the two years prior to the filing of the motion, or if a proceeding or complaint is pending seeking such conviction or adjudication. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:4A-62(a).	Only the offenses listed in N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-6.1 are eligible for relief. Convictions occurring or pending in court before Feburary 22, 2021, are ineligible to be vacated.	See N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-5.1(a)(1)(a) for ineligible offenses.	Previous criminal conviction or disorderly person offense. See N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-3(b)(2).	There is no statutory language regarding ineligible offenses.
Clearance Process	Petition-based	Petition-based	Petition-based	Petition-based	Petition-based	Petition-based	Petition-based	Petition-based	Petition-based	By petition or court's own motion	Automatic	By petition or court's own motion	Petition-based	Petition-based	Petition-based	By petition or court's own motion	Automatic	Petition-based	Petition-based	Petition-based
Waiting Periods	The petition can be filed two years after sentence completion.	The petition can be filed three years after sentence completion.	The petition can be filed five years after sentence completion.	The petition can be filed 10 years after sentence completion.	The petition can be filed 10 years after sentence completion.	The petition can be filed 10 years after sentence completion.	The petition can be filed three years after sentence completion.	The petition can be filed two years after sentence completion.	The petition can be filed after the successful completion of the conditional discharge.	The petition can be filed six months after the entry of the order of dismissal.	There is no waiting period.	There is no waiting period.	The petition can be filed not less than one year after conviction, termination of probation or parole, or discharge from custody, whichever is later. N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-5.	The petition may be filed five years after sentence completion, including payment of any fine. For situations in which the petition may be filed sooner, see N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-2(a).	The petition can be filed two years after the date of conviction, payment of fine, satisfactory completion of probation, or release from incarceration, whichever is later. N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-4.	A petition can be filed when two years have passed since discharge from custody or supervision or since the entry of any other court order not involving custody or supervision.	There is no waiting period.	There is no waiting period.	There is a 3- to 5-year waiting period.	A petition can be filed upon enlistment and acceptance in the Armed Forces.
Fees	The Department of Corrections will charge the petitioner a fee of $100, unless the petitioner demonstrates that they are indigent. The Department of Safety will charge the successful petitioner a fee of $100 for researching and correcting the criminal history record, unless the petitioner demonstrates that they are indigent. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (IX).	The Department of Corrections will charge the petitioner a fee of $100, unless the petitioner demonstrates that they are indigent. The Department of Safety will charge the successful petitioner a fee of $100 for researching and correcting the criminal history record, unless the petitioner demonstrates that they are indigent. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (IX).	The Department of Corrections will charge the petitioner a fee of $100, unless the petitioner demonstrates that they are indigent. The Department of Safety will charge the successful petitioner a fee of $100 for researching and correcting the criminal history record, unless the petitioner demonstrates that they are indigent. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (IX).	The Department of Corrections will charge the petitioner a fee of $100, unless the petitioner demonstrates that they are indigent. The Department of Safety will charge the successful petitioner a fee of $100 for researching and correcting the criminal history record, unless the petitioner demonstrates that they are indigent. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (IX).	The Department of Corrections will charge the petitioner a fee of $100, unless the petitioner demonstrates that they are indigent. The Department of Safety will charge the successful petitioner a fee of $100 for researching and correcting the criminal history record, unless the petitioner demonstrates that they are indigent. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (IX).	The Department of Corrections will charge the petitioner a fee of $100, unless the petitioner demonstrates that they are indigent. The Department of Safety will charge the successful petitioner a fee of $100 for researching and correcting the criminal history record, unless the petitioner demonstrates that they are indigent. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (IX).	The Department of Corrections will charge the petitioner a fee of $100, unless the petitioner demonstrates that they are indigent. The Department of Safety will charge the successful petitioner a fee of $100 for researching and correcting the criminal history record, unless the petitioner demonstrates that they are indigent. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (IX).	The Department of Corrections will charge the petitioner a fee of $100, unless the petitioner demonstrates that they are indigent. The Department of Safety will charge the successful petitioner a fee of $100 for researching and correcting the criminal history record, unless the petitioner demonstrates that they are indigent. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (IX).	The Department of Corrections charge the petitioner a fee of $100, unless the petitioner demonstrates that they are indigent. The Department of Safety will charge the successful petitioner a fee of $100 for researching and correcting the criminal history record, unless the petitioner demonstrates that indigent. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (IX).	Payment of fees is not required. N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-29.	Yes, see N.J. Stat. § 2C:36A-1(d).	No statutory language regarding fees.	No statutory language regarding fees.	There is no fee. See, €¯N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-29.€¯	No statutory language regarding fees.	Payment of fees is not required. N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-29.	No statutory language regarding fees.	All court ordered financial obligations must be paid. See N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-5.1(a).	Payment of fees is not required. N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-29.	There is no statutory language regarding fees.
Effect	The person is treated as if they have never been arrested, convicted, or sentenced, with exceptions for criminal justice uses. The court records are sealed and, upon payment, the police criminal records are removed. On applications for employment, a person can be questioned about non-annulled records. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (X).	The person is treated as if they have never been arrested, convicted, or sentenced, with exceptions for criminal justice uses. The court records are sealed and, upon payment, the police criminal records are removed. On applications for employment, a person can be questioned about non-annulled records. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (X).	The person is treated as if they have never been arrested, convicted or sentenced, with exceptions for criminal justice uses. The court records are sealed and, upon payment, the police criminal records are removed. On applications for employment, a person be questioned about non-annulled records. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (X).	The person is treated as if they have never been arrested, convicted, or sentenced, with exceptions for criminal justice uses. The court records are sealed and, upon payment, the police criminal records are removed. On applications for employment, a person can be questioned about non-annulled records. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (X).	The person is treated as if they have never been arrested, convicted, or sentenced, with exceptions for criminal justice uses. The court records are sealed and, upon payment, the police criminal records are removed. On applications for employment, a person can be questioned about non-annulled records. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (X).	The person is treated as if they have never been arrested, convicted, or sentenced, with exceptions for criminal justice uses. The court records are sealed and, upon payment, the police criminal records are removed. On applications for employment, a person can be questioned about non-annulled records. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (X).	The person is treated as if they have never been arrested, convicted, or sentenced, with exceptions for criminal justice uses. The court records are sealed and, upon payment, the police criminal records are removed. On applications for employment, a person can be questioned about non-annulled records. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (X).	The person is treated as if they have never been arrested, convicted, or sentenced, with exceptions for criminal justice uses. The court records are sealed and, upon payment, the police criminal records are removed. On applications for employment, a person can be questioned about non-annulled records. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (X).	The person is treated as if they have never been arrested, convicted, or sentenced, with exceptions for criminal justice uses. The court records are sealed and, upon payment, the police criminal records are removed. On applications for employment, a person can be questioned about non-annulled records. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (X).	The court shall forward a copy of the expungement order to the county prosecutor. The county prosecutor shall promptly distribute copies of the expungement order to appropriate law enforcement agencies and correctional institutions who have custody and control of the records specified in the order so that they may comply with the requirements of N.J.S.2C:52-15. N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-6(a)(4). Records are not released or utilized other than for specified purposes.The arrest and proceedings are deemed not to have occurred, and the person can answer accordingly, except in the circumstances specified in section 2C:52-27.	The charges are dismissed. N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-23.1(a).	The convictions are vacated. N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-23.1(b).	Records are not released or utilized other than for specified purposes. The arrest and proceedings are deemed not to have occurred, and the person can answer accordingly, except in circumstances specified in section 2C:52-27.	Records are not released or utilized other than for specified purposes. The arrest and proceedings are deemed not to have occurred, and the person can answer accordingly, except in circumstances specified in section. N.J. Stat. § 2C:52-29(c).	Records are not released or utilized other than for specified purposes. The arrest and proceedings are deemed not to have occurred, and the person can answer accordingly, except in the circumstances specified in section 2C:52-27.	Upon the entry of the order, the proceedings in the case will be sealed and all index references will be marked "not available" or "no record." Law enforcement officers and departments will reply, and the person can reply, to any inquiry that there is no record with respect to such person, except that records can be maintained for purposes of prior offender status, identification, and law enforcement. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:4A-62(d). Any adjudication of delinquency or conviction of a crime subsequent to sealing will nullify the sealing order. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:4A-62(e).	Expungement means the extraction and isolation of all records on file within any court, detention or correctional facility, or law enforcement or criminal justice agency concerning a person's detection, apprehension, arrest, detention, trial, or disposition of an offense within the criminal justice system. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:52-1. If an order of expungement is granted, the arrest, conviction, and any related proceedings will be deemed not to have occurred, and the petitioner can answer any questions relating to their occurrence accordingly except in the circumstances specified in section 2C:52-27.	Expungement means the extraction and isolation of all records on file within any court, detention or correctional facility, or law enforcement or criminal justice agency concerning a person's detection, apprehension, arrest, detention, trial, or disposition of an offense within the criminal justice system. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:52-1. If an order of expungement is granted, the arrest, conviction, and any related proceedings will be deemed not to have occurred, and the petitioner can answer any questions relating to their occurrence accordingly except in the circumstances specified in section 2C:52-27.	Expungement means the extraction and isolation of all records on file within any court, detention or correctional facility, or law enforcement or criminal justice agency concerning a person's detection, apprehension, arrest, detention, trial, or disposition of an offense within the criminal justice system. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:52-1. If an order of expungement is granted, the arrest, conviction, and any related proceedings will be deemed not to have occurred, and the petitioner can answer any questions relating to their occurrence accordingly except in the circumstances specified in section 2C:52-27.	Upon the entry of the order, the proceedings in the case will be sealed and all index references will be marked "not available" or "no record." Law enforcement officers and departments will reply, and the person can reply, to any inquiry that there is no record, except that records can be maintained for purposes of prior offender status, identification, and law enforcement purposes. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:4A-62(d). Any adjudication of delinquency or conviction of a crime subsequent to sealing will nullify the sealing order. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:4A-62(e). Failure to enter the armed forces will nullify the sealing order. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:4A-62(b).
Remedy	Annul	Annul	Annul	Annul	Annul	Annul	Annul	Annul	Annul	Expunge	Dismiss	Vacate	Expunge	Expunge	Expunge	Seal	Expunge	Expunge	Expunge	Seal

The National Reentry Resource Center is operated by the Council of State Governments Justice Center and supported by Grant No. 15PBJA-23-GK-05503-MUMU awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.