Understanding Sealing: Can I pay to seal the public record?
No, a tenant cannot pay a flat fee to a judge or the Clerk’s office to seal an eviction case. But, payment can be part of the sealing process in these ways:
Release and Satisfaction of Judgement: If the tenant pays off the full money judgment, then the creditor/landlord must sign a Release and Satisfaction of Judgment. This might help a tenant’s case when they file a motion to seal. But, the judge is not required to seal the case even if the full debt is paid.
- If the landlord refuses to sign the Release and Satisfaction of Judgment document, the tenant can petition the court for one.
- The court may vacate the money judgment after the document is filed.
Fee Waiver: If the tenant files a motion to seal the eviction case, then they might need to pay the fee to file the papers. The tenant may file a fee waiver.
The above article provides information about legal issues but is not the same as legal advice. Legal advice is when a lawyer applies the law to your specific situation. The information in this article does not replace the advice or representation of a licensed attorney. Law Center for Better Housing cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information in this article and is not responsible for any consequences that may result from using it. You should consult with a licensed attorney to ensure the information in this article is appropriate for your specific situation. Using the information in this article does not create a relationship between Law Center for Better Housing and you as your attorney.