Attorney
Last Updated: November 6, 2026
Quick Summary
The Pennsylvania expungement cost is not a single number but a stack of separate charges, including a county-set court filing fee paid to the Clerk of Courts, optional private service fees, and sometimes state police record check or certified copy charges. Filing fees are set locally and are usually non-refundable, so confirm the current amount with the Clerk of Courts in the county where the case was handled.
- Filing fees go to the Clerk of Courts and are set county by county, not statewide.
- Private expungement company service fees are optional if you prepare and file the petition yourself.
- A Pennsylvania State Police record check may be needed to confirm what appears on your criminal history.
- Free expungement help through legal aid clinics is limited and often has long waitlists.
- You may ask the court for a fee waiver by filing a petition to proceed without payment.
Table of Contents
- What Drives the Pennsylvania Expungement Cost
- County-by-County Filing Fee Comparison
- Free Expungement in Philadelphia: Options and Limits
- Pennsylvania Expungement Form 790: What It Is and When You Need It
- How to File for Expungement in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Expungement Process Timeline
- Fee Waivers and Inability-to-Pay Options
- Next Steps: Reviewing Your Record and Options with D’Intino Law
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Drives the Pennsylvania Expungement Cost
The Pennsylvania expungement cost is not a single number. It is a stack of separate charges, and each one depends on where the case was filed and what kind of record is being cleared.
Expungement is the legal process of asking a court to destroy or remove a criminal record.
Most of the expense comes from three sources:
- Court filing fees, set county by county and paid when the petition is submitted
- Agency service fees, charged by companies that prepare and serve the paperwork
- Copy and processing charges, such as certified copies and record checks
The exact amounts change by county and by year. Readers should confirm current figures with the Clerk of Courts in the county where the case was filed. The Pennsylvania Courts self-help resources explain the general filing process.
Filing Fees vs. Service and Agency Fees
Filing fees go to the government. Service fees go to whoever handles the paperwork.
A filing fee is a charge the court collects to open and process a petition. It is set by the county and is usually non-refundable, even if the petition is later denied.
A service fee is what a private expungement company or filing service charges to prepare forms, gather records, and submit the petition. These fees vary widely and are optional if the person files on their own.
| Cost Category | Who Collects It | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court filing fee | Clerk of Courts | Yes | Set by county, non-refundable |
| State police record check | Pennsylvania State Police | Sometimes | Needed to confirm what is on the record |
| Private filing service | Expungement company | No | Optional if self-filing |
| Certified copies | Court or agency | Sometimes | May be needed for the petition packet |
The key point: the government portion is often modest. The private service portion is where costs can climb.
County-by-County Filing Fee Comparison
Filing fees for a Pennsylvania expungement petition are set locally, so the same petition can cost different amounts depending on the county where the case was handled.
The table below is a comparison framework, not a quote sheet. It shows how the categories differ by county and where to confirm the current amount.
| County | Court Office That Sets the Fee | Petition Type | How the Fee Is Typically Structured | Where to Confirm Current Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | Philadelphia Clerk of Courts (Criminal Division) | Summary offense expungement | Filing fee plus any required copies or certification | Philadelphia Clerk of Courts fee schedule |
| Philadelphia | Philadelphia Clerk of Courts (Criminal Division) | Full record expungement | Filing fee, sometimes with additional motion or certification charges | Philadelphia Clerk of Courts fee schedule |
| Allegheny | Allegheny County Clerk of Courts | Summary offense expungement | County-set filing fee | Allegheny County Clerk of Courts fee schedule |
| Allegheny | Allegheny County Clerk of Courts | Full record expungement | County-set filing fee, may include additional charges | Allegheny County Clerk of Courts fee schedule |
| Surrounding counties (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery) | Each county’s Clerk of Courts | Varies by charge type | County-set filing fee, varies widely | That county’s Clerk of Courts fee schedule |
A petition is priced by the county where the case was handled, so readers should confirm the fee with that county’s Clerk of Courts.
The total out-of-pocket cost can also include:
- Pennsylvania State Police record check, a fee paid to the state police to confirm what appears on a criminal history, which many petitioners obtain before filing
- Certified copies, charged by the court or agency when a certified copy of an order or docket is needed
- Service and mailing, postage, certified mail, or private service costs to deliver copies to the district attorney and other required parties
- Private filing service, an optional fee paid to a company that prepares and submits the paperwork
Because these charges are separate from the court filing fee, a reader comparing counties should compare the full stack, not just the Clerk of Courts line. The Pennsylvania Courts self-help resources explain the general filing process, and the Pennsylvania State Police record check information describes how to request a criminal history. Readers who want to understand how a Pennsylvania criminal defense attorney approaches record clearing can review the firm’s expungement practice information.
Fee schedules can change, and a payment sent in the wrong amount or to the wrong office can delay a petition.
Free Expungement in Philadelphia: Options and Limits
Free expungement help may be available through some legal aid organizations and clinics for people who qualify, though availability is limited.
These programs usually prioritize:
- Low-income applicants
- Summary offenses and non-violent records
- Cases where the record is clearly eligible under Pennsylvania law
The limits matter. Free clinics often have long waitlists and handle a narrow set of case types. They may not take cases involving more serious charges or complicated criminal histories.
Self-filing is another route. A person can prepare the petition and skip any private service fee. The trade-off is time and the risk of procedural errors that delay the petition.
Depending on the circumstances, a free clinic or self-filing may be enough. For records with any complexity, an attorney can review eligibility before anything is filed.
Pennsylvania Expungement Form 790: What It Is and When You Need It
A petition is filed with the Clerk of Courts in the county where the case was handled.
The form asks for identifying details, the case number, and the specific charges the person wants removed. It also asks the person to explain why the record qualifies for expungement under Pennsylvania law.
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A petition may be appropriate when the charges are eligible under Pennsylvania’s expungement rules and any required waiting period has passed. Some records are handled through automated processes or require a different petition, so eligibility should be confirmed before filing.
The Pennsylvania State Police record check information can help a person confirm what actually appears on their criminal history before filing.
How to File for Expungement in Pennsylvania
Filing starts with confirming eligibility, then preparing the petition and submitting it to the correct county court with the correct payment.
- Get a copy of the criminal record from the Pennsylvania State Police or the county. This confirms exactly which charges appear and which case numbers to cite.
- Confirm eligibility under Pennsylvania law for each charge. Eligibility depends on the offense, the disposition, and any waiting period.
- Complete the required petition with the case number, charge details, and the reason the record qualifies.
- Gather supporting documents, such as proof of completion, a clean record since the case closed, or certified copies where required.
- Prepare the filing fee in the form the county accepts. Confirm the accepted payment method and the exact payee with the county before mailing or appearing.
- File with the Clerk of Courts in the county where the case was handled. In Philadelphia, that is the Philadelphia Clerk of Courts, Criminal Division. Filing may be done in person or by mail, depending on the county’s current procedures.
- Keep a time-stamped copy of the petition, the payment receipt, and every attachment.
- Serve copies on the district attorney and any other required party. Service is a separate step from filing, and skipping it can stall the petition.
- Track the case and respond to any court notices or requests for additional information.
Payment is a common source of error in self-filed petitions.
The Pennsylvania Courts expungement information covers the general petition process and the role of the Clerk of Courts.
Watch out: filing in the wrong county, paying the wrong office, or missing the service step can stall a petition for weeks, and the filing fee is not refunded.
Pennsylvania Expungement Process Timeline
Most petitions move through several stages, and the total time depends on the county’s docket and whether anyone objects. A petition is not resolved on the day it is filed.
The typical sequence looks like this:
- Preparation: gathering records and completing the form, often a few weeks
- Filing: submitting to the Clerk of Courts and paying the fee
- Review: the district attorney’s office reviews the petition
- Court decision: a judge grants or denies the petition
- Record update: agencies receive the court order and update their files
Processing time varies by county court. Some petitions resolve in a few months, while contested ones take longer. The Pennsylvania General Assembly statutes set out the statutory framework that governs eligibility and the waiting periods that apply.
Following up matters. A time-stamped copy and a case number make it easier to check status with the Clerk of Courts.
Fee Waivers and Inability-to-Pay Options
A person who cannot afford court fees may be able to ask the court for a fee waiver, sometimes called proceeding in forma pauperis. Whether a waiver is granted depends on the facts and the county.
To request a waiver, a person typically files a petition to proceed without payment along with a statement of finances. The court then decides whether to grant it. The outcome depends on the facts and the county’s practice.
Other ways to reduce the total cost include:
- Filing without a private service company
- Asking a legal aid clinic to review the paperwork
- Requesting only the copies that are actually required
Readers weighing the cost of representation against the cost of filing can compare affordable alternatives to expensive Philadelphia criminal defense firms.
Next Steps: Reviewing Your Record and Options with D’Intino Law
The total cost of clearing a record depends on the county, the charge type, and whether the person files alone or with help. Getting the eligibility question right first saves money later.
D’Intino Law handles Pennsylvania criminal defense matters, including expungements and record clearing, from its Philadelphia office. Readers who want to understand how a smaller practice handles a case can read why choose a small caseload law firm in Philadelphia.
Get started with D’Intino Law and request a free confidential case review to discuss what may be available for a specific record.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to expunge my record in PA?
The total expungement cost in Pennsylvania depends on the county and the type of record. You may pay a filing fee to the Clerk of Courts, plus fees to agencies like the Pennsylvania State Police for processing and verification. Because amounts vary and change, check the current fee schedule with the specific county court where you plan to file. An attorney can help you estimate the full out-of-pocket amount for your situation.
How long does the expungement process take in PA?
The Pennsylvania expungement process timeline varies by county and caseload. After you file the petition and pay the required fees, the court reviews the request, and agencies may need to respond. Timing varies, and cases with objections or missing records may take longer. The court’s processing time and the completeness of your paperwork both affect the timeline. Ask the Clerk of Courts for an estimated schedule, and follow up on your case if you have not received an update.
Can I get an expungement for free in Pennsylvania?
Free expungement in Philadelphia may be available through limited legal aid programs or court-based assistance for eligible individuals, but eligibility rules and capacity vary. Confirm current options with the court or a qualified attorney.
What is Pennsylvania Expungement Form 790?
An expungement petition is filed with the Clerk of Courts in the county where the case was handled, usually along with any required filing fee and supporting documents. Confirm the current form with the county court. An attorney can help you complete it accurately.
The first step is simple: find out what is actually on the record and which county holds it. From there, the path to clearing it becomes far clearer, and the cost becomes something a person can plan for rather than guess at.
