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Court Records Guide
Why Would a Court Case Be Sealed? A Complete Explanation
Sealing a court case is one of the most misunderstood concepts in the legal system. Most people assume that if a case is sealed, it simply disappears - from the courts, from Google, from everywhere. The reality is more complicated, and understanding it can make a significant difference in how you manage your legal history and your online reputation.
By Anthony Will, CEO & Co-FounderUpdated May 27, 2026Read time: 12 min
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Determining eligibility for sealing depends on several factors:
The state where the case was filed - sealing laws vary significantly by jurisdiction
The type of case - criminal, civil, family, juvenile, federal
The outcome - dismissed cases, acquittals, and minor convictions may qualify; serious felony convictions often do not
The time elapsed - many states impose waiting periods before a sealing petition can be filed
Whether you completed any sentence or diversion program
The best starting point is consulting a criminal defense or expungement attorney in the state where the case was filed. Many attorneys offer free consultations for expungement and sealing matters, and many states have self-help legal clinics that can point you in the right direction.
If you've already obtained sealing and your concern is online visibility, that's a different conversation - and one where our team can help assess what may still be publicly accessible and what removal pathways may exist.
Is your sealed record still showing online? Find out — free.
Tell us about your situation and a removal specialist will personally review it and respond within one business day. No pressure, no obligation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why would a case be sealed by court order?
A case may be sealed by court order to protect minors, shield victims of sensitive crimes (sexual assault, trafficking, domestic violence), preserve ongoing investigations, maintain trade secrets in commercial litigation, protect witnesses facing threats, implement expungement orders, or serve national security interests. The court must find that these privacy interests outweigh the general presumption of public access to court proceedings, per standards outlined by the federal court system.
Can the public see sealed court cases?
No. When a court case is sealed, the general public - including reporters, employers, landlords, and curious individuals - cannot access the records through the court clerk or public dockets. Only specific authorized parties such as law enforcement, prosecutors, or the case parties themselves may access sealed records through official channels. However, this only applies to the official court record - information already published online before sealing is not affected.
Does sealing a case remove it from Google?
No. Sealing a court case only restricts access through official court channels. It does not automatically remove information from Google, news websites, data broker databases, or other online sources that published the information before or during the case. Separate online removal steps are required, and there is no guarantee that all content can be removed. See our guide on why court records show in Google.
How do you request to seal a case?
To request sealing, a party, attorney, or prosecutor typically files a written motion with the court that handled the case. The motion must explain the legal basis for sealing and demonstrate that privacy interests override the public's right of access. Some states have specific forms and procedures; others require a formal legal brief. In many cases, a hearing is held before the judge rules on the sealing motion. An expungement attorney can guide you through the process in your jurisdiction.
Can sealed cases be unsealed?
Yes. Sealed cases can potentially be unsealed if a party with a legitimate interest - such as a journalist, opposing party, or government agency - files a motion to unseal and convinces the court that the public interest outweighs the original privacy justification. Sealing is not necessarily permanent. High-profile examples include the unsealing of documents in the Epstein case and various celebrity divorce proceedings. See our guide on whether sealed court records can be unsealed.
What does it mean when a court case is sealed?
When a court case is sealed, the official court records are restricted from public access. The docket, filings, and documents are no longer accessible through court clerk offices, public search portals, or legal databases. However, the case still exists within the court's internal restricted system. Law enforcement and certain government agencies typically retain access. Critically, sealing has no effect on information that was already published online before the sealing order - those sources are not bound by court orders.
Does sealing a court case remove it from background checks?
Sealing prevents official courts from disclosing the case on background checks and restricts database-driven court portals from showing it. However, many commercial background check companies maintain their own databases that may not be updated when a record is sealed. Formal FCRA-regulated background checks used in hiring must reflect expunged or sealed records as required by law. Other informational sites are under no such obligation. After sealing, you should contact each background check service separately with a copy of your sealing order and formally request removal.
Can a sealed case be used against me in a future proceeding?
Law enforcement and prosecutors can access sealed records in most states. Sealed records may be considered in sentencing for future offenses, used to oppose subsequent expungement petitions, and accessed by courts in certain civil proceedings. Federal courts and certain licensing boards also typically have access to sealed state records. Sealing is primarily a shield against public access - it does not erase the record from government systems.
New court records get indexed every day. As part of active cases, we monitor for new publications across legal databases and background check sites - so if your record resurfaces or a new one appears, we catch it before it causes damage.