Motion to Seal Records and Documents
What this document covers
A motion to seal records and documents is a formal request submitted to the court, asking to keep specific evidence and transcripts related to a court case from public access. This type of motion is typically initiated by licensed attorneys, but many jurisdictions allow individuals to file it through the court clerk. The primary purpose of this form is to protect sensitive information, especially in cases involving minors or vulnerable individuals, from being disclosed to the general public.
Key components of this form
- Case title and number: Identifies the court case.
- Defendant's name: Includes the individual requesting the sealing of records.
- List of records to be sealed: Clearly states which documents are to be kept confidential.
- Attorney representation: Details the attorney acting on behalf of the defendant.
- Notice of motion: Informs involved parties of the motion hearing date and time.
Legal requirements by state
This is a general form suitable for multiple states. Review and modify it as needed to reflect your jurisdiction’s rules.
Situations where this form applies
This motion should be used when there is a need to protect sensitive information in a court case, particularly when minor children or vulnerable parties are involved. Examples include divorce cases, child custody disputes, and any trial outcomes that, if public, may harm the individuals whose records are requested to be sealed.
Who should use this form
- Individuals involved in a court case as a defendant who need to protect private information.
- Attorneys seeking to seal records on behalf of their clients.
- Parents or guardians concerned about the privacy of children in legal matters.
Steps to complete this form
- Identify the case title and cause number at the beginning of the form.
- Fill in the name of the defendant and the records you wish to have sealed.
- Provide the attorney's name and signature where required, including their state bar number.
- Complete the notice of motion section with the hearing date and time.
- Ensure all parties involved are notified appropriately as per the instructions in the form.
Does this document require notarization?
This form usually doesn’t need to be notarized. However, local laws or specific transactions may require it. Our online notarization service, powered by Notarize, lets you complete it remotely through a secure video session, available 24/7.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not listing all records that need sealing, leading to partial confidentiality.
- Failing to provide required signatures from all parties involved.
- Missing the specified court hearing date when filing the motion.
Benefits of using this form online
- Convenience of completing the form from anywhere at any time.
- Easy to edit and store for future reference.
- Reliable templates drafted by licensed attorneys, ensuring legal compliance.
Form popularity
FAQ
A Court order that restricts access to or disclosure of any record or document filed in a proceeding. Also known as an order of confidentiality or secrecy order. Court files which involve children such as child protection proceedings; and.
A motion to seal is a formal request that is submitted to the court to prevent evidence and transcripts related to a specific court case from being available to the general public.In contrast, the motion to seal has to do with sealing court records once a case has been decided.
Motion to Seal Criminal Conviction Records (JDF 612). Enter the Defendant's name in the case caption. if there is a corresponding FBI record. obtain this information from the arresting agency and the Court Clerk's office. cases to be sealed, a separate filing fee for each case is required.
Launch Word and open the document you wish to seal. Click the cursor into the place where you want the sign and seal line to appear. For a new Word document, click the blank document button on the main screen. Click the Insert tab, then click the Signature Line menu option in the Text section of the ribbon.
Expungement vs. Record Sealing. The key difference between expunging a person's criminal record and sealing it is that a sealed record still exists in both a legal and physical sense, while expungement results in the deletion of any record that an arrest or criminal charge ever occurred.
There are two ways to seal criminal recordsby mail or in court. Most criminal records can be sealed by mail after a waiting period. Some cases can be sealed by in court, without a waiting period or by mail.
Record sealing is the practice of sealing or, in some cases, destroying court records that would otherwise be publicly accessible as public records. The term is derived from the tradition of placing a seal on specified files or documents that prevents anyone from reviewing the files without receiving a court order.
Have each party sign their names on the appropriate lines on the legal document. Include a section in the signatures area that reads "Per: __ (Seal)".
