San Mateo County

Probation Department - Youth Services Center
222 Paul Scannell Drive
San Mateo, CA 94402
(650) 312-8816
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Get application

When your juvenile case in San Mateo has been closed, San Mateo county will send you an informational packet and application to seal your juvenile record. If you still need to acquire an application, you can contact the Probation Department in person, by phone, or by mail and request an application to be sent via mail, or you can simply download the materials from the website. After you have reviewed the eligibility requirements for juvenile record sealing, return the completed application to the Probation Department by mail or in person.

$150

$0 for those currently under age 26.

Waiver

There is an option on the application to seal requesting to waive the fee. Check the box and then fill out the financial declaration form.

3-6 months

Yes

Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto
Consultations are available the first Wednesday of every month. Call 650-326-6440 for more information.

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After turning in your application

After receiving your application, a Probation Officer will conduct a background investigation and decide if you are eligible to have your juvenile record sealed. The investigation will be focused on your basic eligibility, a criminal background check, and evidence of rehabilitation. Based on this investigation, the probation officer will write a report either recommending that your record be sealed, or stating that you are not eligible to have your record sealed and why.

Court hearing

If the probation officer does not recommend that your record be sealed, no court hearing will be scheduled. If you still wish to pursue sealing your records, you may hire an attorney or you may have access to a public defender, who can calendar a hearing and state your case to seal your records in front of a judge.

If the probation officer recommends that your record be sealed, the next step is to calendar a juvenile court hearing with a judge, the probation officer and the district attorney. At this hearing, a judge will decide whether or not your juvenile records may be sealed. You will be notified of your hearing date two weeks in advance. You do not have to appear at the hearing, but your probation officer may recommend that you appear.

Tracking your application

Not available

Learn more about the sealing process »

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 also direct them to respond to anyone asking about your juvenile record to say, “The applicant has no record.” You may follow up with the juvenile court clerk to see when all agencies have complied with the order and sealed your records. 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

You will be notified by mail and will receive a copy of the judge's order denying your petition to seal your juvenile records. If you have been denied "without prejudice" you may resubmit your application once you have resolved the issues blocking the seal on your record, such as paying restitution or waiting a longer period of time to show rehabilitation. You will need to repay the sealing fee and will not be refunded for the payment you previously made for the seal. If you do not receive the order, you should check in with your probation officer.