Expungements
Expungement Information
An expungement is an action used to delete all police and court records pertaining to a criminal case when any of the following has occurred: acquittal, nolle prosequi, dismissal, absolute pardon, or an individual’s name used in error. When a record is expunged, the record is not destroyed but removed from public access and sealed. NOTE: Once the record is expunged it can only be accessed by court order.
Required Documents
- Expungement Packet (PDF)
- An original Petition for Expungement, plus two additional copies
- A certified copy of the charge(s) with the disposition of the charge(s) to be expunged, plus two additional copies
- Cover sheet for filing Civil Actions
- Supplemental Information for Expungement Refund
- Expungement Order
- The order should only be submitted to the court when it is ready to be entered.
- You may submit a copy of the proposed order, which will be indexed and scanned. You should bring the original order to your court hearing.
- Any required documents need to be filed before submitting the order for entry (i.e., criminal history with fingerprint card).
The copies will be used for the following:
A copy of the petition shall be served on the Commonwealth’s Attorney. The Commonwealth may file an objection or answer to the petition within twenty-one (21) days after it is served.
Filing Fee
- 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.
How to File
In person: bring your completed paperwork and filing fee to the third floor of the Clerk of the Circuit Court during normal business hours.
By mail: Send your completed paperwork, copies and filing fee to the appropriate address below. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so we can return a copy of the petition and receipt for you to take to the sheriff’s office to obtain your fingerprint cards.
Send via U.S. Postal Service
Loudoun Clerk of Circuit Court
Attention: Civil Division
P.O. Box 550
Leesburg, VA 20178
Send Via FedEx, UPS, etc.
Loudoun Clerk of Circuit Court
Attention: Civil Division
18 East Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176
The case will be assigned a civil action case number. This is a number by which the court references your case and must appear on any future documents regarding your petition.
Setting a Hearing Date
- After the criminal history check has been filed with the court, a hearing may be set.
- It is the responsibility of the petitioner to confirm the fingerprint card and criminal history has been received by the court.
- Hearing dates for expungement cases are set on the Circuit Court Civil Motions day docket.
- An original praecipe (PDF) must be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court Civil Division no less than 14 days prior to the hearing date.
- A copy of the praecipe must be mailed or hand delivered to:
- Commonwealth Attorney’s Office
20 E Market Street
Leesburg, Virginia 20176
- Commonwealth Attorney’s Office
Plase Note: Court personnel are prohibited by law from giving legal advice. If you need assistance or advice, please see our Legal Aid and Links page.
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Civil Division
Email Civil Division
Location
18 E Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176
Phone: 703-771-5644
Hours: Monday- Friday, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Mailing Address
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Attention: Civil Division
P.O. Box 550
Leesburg, VA 20178