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To have your record expunged, a petition must be filed in the Circuit Court of the jurisdiction where you were originally charged. You will need to be fingerprinted, and there is a waiting period. During that waiting period, the Commonwealth's Attorney receives a copy of the petition, and has an opportunity to object.

The filing fee is $98 (includes service fee). Fees must be paid by cash, certified check, money order or personal check (no starter checks will be accepted). Checks and money orders may be made payable to "Clerk of Circuit Court." Credit cards will not be accepted for the filing fee of the petitions for an expungement.

The current expungement process in Virginia requires the individual charged with the offense to file a petition and fingerprints with the circuit court, pay a filing fee, and possibly attend a hearing on the matter.

Even if the judge is sympathetic to your reason for needing an expungement, the judge can only grant an expungement if your situation meets the requirements for an expungement. You may always file the case without an attorney (?pro se?).

Under Virginia's current expungement law, even with the help of a lawyer, expunging a criminal record often takes at least nine months, and sometimes much longer. Because the new law includes automatic sealing, some records will be sealed on a monthly basis, as soon as they become eligible.

Under Virginia's current expungement law, even with the help of a lawyer, expunging a criminal record often takes at least nine months, and sometimes much longer. Because the new law includes automatic sealing, some records will be sealed on a monthly basis, as soon as they become eligible.