Information for government agencies and courts

Courts are removing expunged records from their databases and some courts tell database companies when they do that. But the majority of courts don’t share this information. That means that database companies know there are records that they would like to remove, but they don’t know which ones they are.

Attorneys who specialize in obtaining expungements have learned that they need to tell database companies to remove the expunged records. Unfortunately, they face problems of their own. They don’t clearly know the difference between the companies that hold the database and the ones that use the databases. The attorney's only recourse is to send copies of their form notice to dozens of resellers who funnel multiple copies of the notice to the database company they use.

This problem not only prevents those who have had their record expunged, sealed or otherwise made non-public, from receiving the full benefit they deserve, it bogs down the courts, makes background checks less efficient, and denies society the full benefits of its laws.

The Expungement Clearinghouse expedites the updating of information provided to many commercial background screening providers in the U.S. by securely sharing data about expunged criminal records with participating member companies. The Clearinghouse provides a faster and more coordinated approach for consumers, their attorneys, courts and other sources to efficiently disseminate information about criminal records that have been cleared or updated by the courts to the commercial background screening industry.

The Expungement Clearinghouse has partnered with The Foundation for Continuing Justice to help those who have had their criminal record cleared by the courts to efficiently disseminate this information to the commercial background screening industry. This partnership will help to ensure that job seekers realize the full benefits afforded to them under the legal process of expungement, leading to faster and more efficient background checks, and helping qualified job applicants to more quickly secure meaningful employment.