Getting an Expungement

Clerk of the District Court

7th Judicial District of Kansas

Contact Us

Location: Judicial and Law Enforcement Center
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am - 12pm & 1pm - 4:30pm
Phone: 785-832-5256
Fax:
785-832-5174
Contact: District Court Directory

Getting an Expungement

An expungement is the legal process of asking a judge to seal the court record of a previous criminal (or juvenile) offense. It is important to remember that, in Kansas, an expunged record is NOT destroyed. The police, FBI, immigration officers, and other public officials may still see sealed court files for certain purposes.

To view the statute that governs who does and does not qualify for an expungement, please refer to the website below.

Determine if you are eligible for expungement. 

  1. Once you determine that you are eligible for expungement, you must determine the type of Expungement(s) you wish to file. 
    1. The clerk’s office is unable to help you determine which type of expungement to file. 

    2. However, if you were charged, the expungement must be filed under the original case number. If you were arrested but not charged, the expungement will be filed as a new civil case. 

       

  2. Gather all information necessary to fill out the documents. This can be done by submitting a records request online through the District Court website. 
    1. Court Records Request | Douglas County KS

    2. There you can get copies of case documents, case number, exact dates, exact charges (if applicable), etcetera. 

       

  3. Gather all necessary forms from the Kansas Judicial Council. You will need a set for each case you wish to expunge.

    Kansas Bureau of Investigation Cover Sheet 

    1. Conviction / Diversion (Order of Expungement of Conviction or Diversion Cover Sheet | Kansas Judicial Council)
    2. Arrest Only (Order of Expungement of Arrest Cover Sheet | Kansas Judicial Council)
    3. Relief from Offender Registration (Order of Relief from Offender Registration Cover Sheet | Kansas Judicial Council)

    Criminal Cover Sheet (Criminal Cover Sheet | Kansas Judicial Council)

    Petition for Expungement

    1. Conviction / Diversion (Petition for Expungement of Conviction or Diversion | Kansas Judicial Council)
    2. Arrest Only (Petition for Expungement of Arrest Record | Kansas Judicial Council)

    3. Relief from Offender Registration (Petition for Relief from Offender Registration | Kansas Judicial Council)

       

  4. Complete the KBI Cover Sheet entirely. Where a Social Security Number is required, insert all 9 digits in the space provided. Where your name is required, insert your full legal name.

     

  5. Complete the Criminal Cover Sheet entirely to the best of your ability. Where your name is required, insert your full legal name in the space provided. PLEASE INCLUDE A VALID EMAIL ADDRESS WHERE THE NOTICE OF HEARING WILL BE SENT!

     

  6. Complete desired Petition(s) entirely. Where your name is required, insert your full legal name.

     

  7. Sign the Petition(s). Your signature is your affirmation that all of the information in the petition is accurate to best of your knowledge.

     

  8. File the Original Petition(s) and Cover Sheets with the Clerk of the District Court.

    1. If you wish to have file stamped copies for your records, please bring those copies when filing. Otherwise, only the originals are needed. WE WILL KEEP THE DOCUMENTS. YOU WILL NOT GET THEM BACK.

       

    2. You can file with the District Court in 3 ways
      1. In-Person at 111 E. 11th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
      2. By Mail to 111 E. 11th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
      3. By Facsimile (Fax) at 785-832-5174.

      4. EMAIL NOT ACCEPTED.

         

    3. At filing, the $195 Expungement Docket Fee is due and payable. If you cannot afford to pay the $195 Docket Fee, please complete and file a Poverty Affidavit with your documents. (Poverty Affidavit | Kansas Judicial Council)

       

      1. Payment is accepted in the following forms:
        1. In-Person – Cash, Card, Check, or Money Order
        2. By Mail – Check or Money Order
        3. If you choose to Fax, the documents will not be filed until payment is received by mail or in-person.

        4. PLEASE PUT CASE NUMBERS ON CHECKS

           

  9. After filing, you will receive a Notice of Hearing with a court date. Included will be a Zoom link that can be used to participate virtually.

    1. Expungement Dockets are held once a month on the Third Tuesday at 1:30pm in Division 5. If filed ON OR BEFORE the last day of the month, you hearing will be scheduled for the following month. If this does not work, please reach out to the Criminal Clerk at 785-832-5236 for more information about how to get an individual court date. 

       

  10.  Attend the hearing and answer any questions the court may have. Bring copies of all documents relating to the expungement to be prepared!

Expungement Forms

Use of forms without the assistance of an attorney could harm your legal rights. You may want to have an attorney review your completed forms before you file them with the court. These are basic forms and may not cover every situation.

NOTE:  All expungement types below will require a Criminal Cover Sheet. The Poverty Affidavit may be used in any expungement type to waive the filing fee for those who cannot afford it and is reviewed by the Judge for approval.

 

If you are in need of further assistance, please contact the Douglas County Self-Help Office. They can assist with additional information, tools, and resources to help with your expungement. Self-Help can be reached at 785-330-2868 or by emailing selfhelp@dgcoks.gov.