Quick facts
- Be precise that this is a §1203.4 DISMISSAL (not a sealing or a full erasure).
- Some foreign uses require an EXEMPLIFIED copy ($50 + pages, §70628) — confirm before ordering.
- Never notarize the order — it's authenticated by the clerk's certification.
- General condition rules: no lamination · no post-notarization alterations · no tape · staple multipage · legible signatures/seals.
- Submitting a plain photocopy instead of a clerk-certified copy.
What to know
Issuing office. The Superior Court clerk (criminal / records division) in the county where the dismissal was granted. Certified route (how to obtain a certified copy): 1. Confirm the CR-181 Order for Dismissal was signed/granted. 2. Request a CERTIFIED copy of the CR-181 order — "for apostille / international use." 3. If a foreign jurisdiction requires it, request an EXEMPLIFIED (triple-certified) copy. 4. Pay the fees (see below). Confirm the clerk's seal and signature are legible. Who can request it. The person whose case it is (and their attorney). Criminal records access can have limits — confirm with the court. Required forms. The court's records/copy request form, if any. Order the signed CR-181 order (not the CR-180 petition). Cost + timeline for THIS step (verified June 2026): - Certified copy of the CR-181: $40 (Gov. Code §70626(a)(4)). - Exemplified / triple-certified copy:.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly do I order?
A certified copy of the Order for Dismissal under PC §1203.4 (CR-181) from the Superior Court.
Is "expungement" a full erasure?
No — in California it's a §1203.4 dismissal, not a true erasure. Be precise with foreign authorities.
How much is the certified copy?
$40 (Gov. Code §70626(a)(4)).
Order or petition?
Order the signed CR-181 order, not the CR-180 petition.
Common destinations
Countries this document is most often sent to (pulled from this page's own guidance). Every destination has its own rulebook — apostille (Hague) or full legalization (non-Hague).