How it works in District of Columbia
These steps cover the court-petition process — the path that applies if you don't qualify for the automatic process.
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Request your Record
Schedule an appointment with the Metropolitan Police Department's Arrest and Criminal History Section, complete the application, and submit the request for an official copy of your criminal history record.
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Review your Record
Confirm there is no disqualifying information in your history. If there is something incorrect, follow the process to challenge the issue. If everything is accurate, make a copy for your file and keep the original somewhere safe.
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Request Certified Documents
Collect certified copies of relevant documents. These include a copy of the disposition of the case from the clerk of court that handled the original case and the arrest record from the arresting agency. If you had probation or parole, had to take classes, had to pay fees, or had any other obligations, you also need certified proof that you completed those requirements.
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Verify the Final Documents
Review each document for accuracy. Confirm each one is certified and clearly shows you completed your obligations. Make copies of every original.
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Prepare your Petition
Complete the petition based on the type of charge and outcome you are seeking. Among other requirements, there are timing restrictions to note: certain misdemeanor convictions require five years to pass, others require eight years, and certain felony convictions require ten years to pass before the record qualifies for sealing.
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Finalize your Petition
Take the completed petition from Step 5, the documents collected in Step 3, and the background check from Step 1, and put them together in a complete package. Double-check every file in the package is the original and ensure you have a copy of the complete package for your personal file.
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File your Sealing Petition
File the petition with the D.C. Superior Court that handled the case.
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Work with the Court
After the D.C. Superior Court confirms it has received your filing, watch for the court's next instructions — typically an order setting a hearing date, a request for additional briefing, or a direct ruling on the petition. Respond promptly to anything the court asks for.
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Receive the Court's Order
Once the D.C. Superior Court rules on your petition, it issues a written order either granting or denying the request to seal. Review the order's terms carefully — they spell out which records are covered and what each agency must do. Keep a certified copy for your own files.
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Verify the Record is Sealed
Under D.C. Code §§ 16-803 to 16-805, the Metropolitan Police Department, the D.C. Superior Court, and other named agencies update or restrict the records covered by the order. If a background-check provider later produces an outdated report, your certified copy of the court's order is your authoritative reference. Confirm with the arresting agency that its records reflect the sealing as well.
If you have to mail anything, remember to keep a copy of whatever you send and to use a method with a tracking number like the USPS Flat Rate Envelope.
Official agencies
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