Forms Find a national federal court form that can be used in all federal courts. File Your Motion While in Custody.Before you can file a motion under §2255, you must be in custody under federal law. Generally, a 2255 federal habeas petition must be filed within a year after your federal conviction became final. It provides an expeditious remedy for correcting erroneous sentences without resort to habeas corpus. Person incarcerated in federal prison could file a habeas corpus petition once his conviction became final. Although he used the form for habeas petitions under 28 U.S.C. 2255, that Section applies to challenges to sentences obtained in federal court. Therefore, the appropriate procedure would be to file a motion pursuant to § 2255 and not a habeas petition pursuant to § 2241. For a federal prisoner who wishes to vacate, set aside, or correct her sentence, the first step is to file a 28 USC 2255 motion. Make sure the form is typed or neatly written.