Los Angeles County

Contact

Eastlake Juvenile Court Clerk
Attn: Sealing Desk
1601 Eastlake Ave.
Room J
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 227-3499
Phone Hours: 8:30–10:30am and 1:30–3:30pm
Map and directions »

Application

Get application

To begin the sealing process, contact the juvenile court that heard your most recent case to begin the sealing process. You should have any identification numbers related to you or your case available when you contact the court so that they can identify you and your record quickly.

Such identification numbers and information could include your case number, your JAI number, the date of your arrest, the arresting agency (LAPD, LA Sherriff), the violation, or disposition.

You must fill out the Petition to Seal Juvenile Records and Court Order (DLQ003) form, and submit it to the court either by mail or in person along with a copy of some form of identification (I.D., passport, visa, etc.).

Fee

$0

$0 for those currently under age 26.

Time frame

6 weeks to 1 year

The time frame can vary significantly. If your case was just recently closed and the court still has the file, then it can take a few months. If the file needs to be ordered from archives then it can take up to a year.

From start to finish, excluding ordering from the archives, the process usually takes about 6 weeks.

The court date is usually set 15 days after the District Attorney is given the application. You will be notified of the court's decision approximately 7-10 days after the court makes its decision.

Process

After turning in your application

Once you submit the form, the court will notify the District Attorney's (DA) office, the probation department, and appropriate defense counsel.

Court hearing

A court hearing will be scheduled for about 2 weeks from when your application gets to the DA. You are strongly encouraged to attend the hearing (even if it is not mandatory). You will not be notified when your application is received, but you will be notified of your hearing date. After the hearing, you will be notified of the court's decision to either grant or deny your application.

Tracking your application

You can call the court to check on the status of your application.

More information at Los Angeles County Superior Court »

Learn more about the sealing process »

Outcome

Once a judge reviews your application they will either grant or deny your request to seal your juvenile record. A judge may choose to deny your application for reasons including a lack of rehabilitation, adult charges, and crimes of moral turpitude.

If your application is granted

The Court will send a record sealing order to all of the agencies involved in your case, which includes, but is not limited to, police agencies, probation agencies, and courts. The order will direct the agencies you listed on your application to seal your record and to respond to anyone asking about your juvenile record to say, “The applicant has no record.” Once your record is sealed, you may legally say that you do not have a juvenile record.

Sealing a juvenile record does not affect the ability of insurance companies to access your records through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in Sacramento, nor will it prevent the Federal Government, including branches of the military service, from accessing your sealed records pursuant to Section 781 of the Welfare and Institutions code.

All juvenile records must be reported even though sealed when applying for a security clearance or employment with a private company that engages in business with the Federal Government.

If your application is denied

If your application is denied, the court order denying your application will be mailed to you. You can resubmit the application depending on the nature of the case. You may have to repay the application fee when you reapply.

Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice

Seal It is a project from the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice, with generous support from the Zellerbach Family Foundation.

To report an error, contact cjcjmedia@cjcj.org or (415) 621-5661 x121.