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CR-409-INFOOptional

Information on How to File a Petition to Seal Arrest and Related Records

California · Judicial Council of California · Effective January 1, 2024

This information sheet explains how to ask a court to seal arrest and related records when the arrest did not lead to a conviction. It tells you what the request is and what the court will look at when deciding if the records can be sealed.

The court describes it as: Explains how to file a request to the court to clean your criminal record of arrests that did not result in a conviction, as well as what the court will consider when making a decision.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

Start a case

Stage: Start a case

This information is used when someone wants to file a request with the court to seal arrest records that did not result in a conviction.

Either party may file.

Official instructions

How-to guides published by the court for this form.

Common questions

What is this form for?
This sheet explains how to file a request to the court to seal arrest and related records under Penal Code section 851.91.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect January 1, 2024.

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