Vacating a Misdemeanor Record
Application Instructions

Application Steps

• Where do I apply?
• How do I apply?
• What happens after I apply?
• How soon will my record be cleared?
• Vacating a Record and Exclusion Defined

Where do I go to apply for vacating my conviction?
You must apply at the court where you were convicted.

How do I apply for a vacation of my record at the Municipal Court of Seattle?

1. Please fill out these forms completely,

   • Notice of Petition for Vacation of Conviction Record
   • Order on Petition for Vacation of Conviction Records
   • Petition for Vacation of Conviction Records
   (To view these forms Adobe Acrobat Reader is required). Any missing information may cause delay. If you fail to disclose or state in the attached declaration that you have no convictions for a domestic violence offense and the criminal history reveals that you were so convicted your request will be denied.

2. Include a check or money order in the amount of $110.00, payable to the Municipal Court of Seattle.

3. Submitting the forms and payment-
   

   Bring the completed forms and payment to:
   The Public Service Counter
   Municipal Court of Seattle
   1st floor, Seattle Justice Center
   600 Fifth Avenue
   Seattle, WA 98104
   Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM to 5:30PM
   When filing in person you will be required to provide identification (driver's license, identification card, or passport).
   
   Send the completed forms and payment by mail to:
   Judicial Chambers
   Municipal Court of Seattle
   Seattle Justice Center
   600 Fifth Avenue
   PO BOX 34987
   Seattle, WA 98124-4987
   Your application must be notarized if you apply by mail

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What will happen after I file my application?

• The court will request your criminal history from the Washington State Patrol and the National Crime Information Center.
• A copy of your application will be sent to the Seattle City Attorney's Office for review. The City Attorney may request a hearing on your application. You will receive a court notice of the date and time of the hearing.
• Your case file and other documentation will than go to the judge who heard your case or to the Presiding Judge for review. The judge may determine that you need to appear in court. If a hearing is required you will receive a court notice of the date and time.
• The court will contact you if additional information is required.
• If your request to vacate your criminal conviction is granted you will receive a signed order. Keep this order with your other important records.
• The court will notify the arresting agency and the Washington State Patrol that your conviction has been vacated. The Washington State Patrol will notify the Federal Bureau of Investigation to remove the conviction from your criminal history.
• You can state that you have never been convicted of this offense for employment or housing purposes. However, if you are charged with another crime, the prosecutor may use this past conviction in the case against you. If you are convicted of another crime, the vacated conviction cannot be used to determine your sentence.

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How soon will my record be cleared?
The Washington State Patrol will make every effort to process the order to vacate your conviction as quickly as possible. We suggest that you contact the Washington State Patrol 90 days after the order for vacation is granted for a copy of your criminal history. Washington State Patrol offices are located:

Seattle/King County
District 2 - Bellevue
2803 - 156th Avenue SE
Bellevue, Washington 98007
(425) 649-4370

Tacoma/Pierce County
District 1 - Tacoma
2502 112th Street East
Tacoma, Washington 98445-5104
(253) 536-6210

Headquarters
Identification and Criminal History Section
Washington State Patrol
P.O. Box 42633
Olympia, Washington 98504-2633
(360) 705-5100

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