APPLICATION FOR PARDON AFTER COMPLETION OF SENTENCE

FEDERAL APPLICATION

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

Through the Office of the Pardon Attorney
United States Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

INTRODUCTION

This application for executive clemency in the form of a pardon is submitted pursuant to Article II, Section 2 of the United States Constitution and the regulations set forth in 28 C.F.R. Part 1. Applicant respectfully requests that the President of the United States grant a full and unconditional pardon for the federal conviction(s) described herein.

PRELIMINARY CHECKLIST

Before submitting this application, verify the following:

☐ At least five (5) years have elapsed since release from confinement OR date of sentencing (if no confinement)
☐ All terms of the sentence have been completed (imprisonment, probation, supervised release)
☐ All fines, restitution, and assessments have been paid
☐ This is a federal conviction (state convictions require application to the Governor)
☐ No criminal charges are currently pending
☐ Application is truthful and complete (false statements may result in prosecution)

PART I: APPLICANT INFORMATION

1. Full Legal Name:
_____________________________________________________________

2. Other Names Used (maiden name, aliases, nicknames):
_____________________________________________________________

3. Current Address:

4. Previous Addresses (last 10 years):

5. Contact Information:

6. Personal Information:

7. Marital Status:

☐ Single ☐ Married ☐ Divorced ☐ Widowed ☐ Separated

Spouse's Name (if married):
_____________________________________________________________

8. Military Service:

☐ None
☐ Served in: _______________________________________________

PART II: CONVICTION INFORMATION

9. Federal Conviction(s) for Which Pardon Is Sought:

Conviction #1:

Sentence Imposed:

Sentence Completion:

Conviction #2 (if applicable):

10. Brief Description of the Offense:

Provide a complete and accurate description of the circumstances of the offense(s), including your role and involvement:

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART III: FIVE-YEAR WAITING PERIOD

11. Calculation of Waiting Period:

Under Department of Justice regulations (28 C.F.R. § 1.2), applicants must wait a minimum of five years after:
- Release from confinement; OR
- Date of sentencing (if no confinement was imposed)

12. Waiver Request (if waiting period not satisfied):

☐ N/A - Waiting period satisfied
☐ Applicant requests a waiver of the waiting period

If requesting waiver, explain the exceptional circumstances:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART IV: REASONS FOR SEEKING A PARDON

13. Explain why you are seeking a pardon:

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

14. Specific Benefits Sought Through Pardon:

☐ Restoration of civil rights (voting, jury service)
☐ Restoration of firearm rights
☐ Removal of barrier to employment
☐ Removal of barrier to professional licensing
☐ Immigration benefits
☐ Personal/moral reasons
☐ Other: _____________________________________________________

15. How has the conviction affected your life?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART V: ACCEPTANCE OF RESPONSIBILITY

16. Do you accept responsibility for your conduct?

☐ Yes
☐ No (explain): ______________________________________________

17. Statement of Remorse and Responsibility:

Describe your understanding of the wrongfulness of your conduct and your remorse:

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART VI: CONDUCT SINCE CONVICTION

18. Employment History (last 10 years):

19. Current Employment:

20. Education:

21. Community Involvement:

Describe volunteer work, charitable activities, church involvement, and other community contributions:

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

22. Family Circumstances:

Describe your current family situation, including dependents:

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART VII: CRIMINAL HISTORY

23. Other Criminal Record:

List ALL arrests, charges, and convictions (including state, local, military, and juvenile matters, even if pardoned, expunged, or sealed):

24. Are any criminal charges currently pending against you?

☐ No
☐ Yes (provide details): _______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

25. Are you currently under investigation by any law enforcement agency?

☐ No
☐ Yes (provide details): _______________________________________

PART VIII: CHARACTER REFERENCES

26. Character References:

Provide at least three character references who can attest to your rehabilitation, good character, and contributions to the community. References should NOT be family members.

Reference #1:

Reference #2:

Reference #3:

27. Letters of Support:

☐ Letters of support from references are attached
☐ Letters will be submitted separately

PART IX: AUTHORIZATION AND RELEASE

28. Authorization for Investigation:

By signing below, I authorize the following agencies and individuals to release information to the Office of the Pardon Attorney, FBI, and other authorized federal investigators:

• Schools, colleges, and universities
• Employers (current and former)
• Courts and law enforcement agencies
• Probation and parole offices
• Medical and mental health professionals
• Financial institutions
• Any other person, organization, or entity with relevant information

This authorization remains in effect during the pendency of my application for executive clemency.

29. Acknowledgments:

☐ I understand that this application will be thoroughly investigated by the FBI and other agencies

☐ I understand that victims may be contacted as part of the investigation

☐ I understand that the investigation may take several years to complete

☐ I understand that a pardon does not expunge my criminal record

☐ I understand that making false statements in this application may result in criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 1001

☐ I understand that a pardon, if granted, does not imply innocence but is an act of forgiveness

PART X: VERIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I, _________________________________, declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing information is true, correct, and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that any false statement or omission may result in the denial of this application and possible criminal prosecution.

_________________________________
Applicant's Signature

_________________________________
Printed Name

_________________________________
Date

PART XI: NOTARIZATION

STATE OF _______________________
COUNTY OF _____________________

Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on this _____ day of _____________, 20___, by _________________________________, who is personally known to me or who produced _________________________________ as identification.

_________________________________
Notary Public Signature

_________________________________
Printed Name

My Commission Expires: _____________

[NOTARY SEAL]

STATE-SPECIFIC NOTES

California

• Governor has pardon power under California Constitution, Article V, Section 8
• Must obtain Certificate of Rehabilitation first (Penal Code § 4852.01)
• Board of Parole Hearings investigates and makes recommendations
• Governor cannot pardon persons twice convicted of felony without Supreme Court approval
• Application through Governor's Office

Texas

• Governor may grant pardons on recommendation of Board of Pardons and Paroles
• Texas Constitution, Article IV, Section 11
• Must apply to Board of Pardons and Paroles first
• Board investigates and makes recommendation to Governor
• Waiting period varies; typically 3-5 years after sentence completion

Florida

• Governor and Cabinet (Executive Clemency Board) grant pardons
• Florida Constitution, Article IV, Section 8
• Apply to Florida Commission on Offender Review
• Full pardon restores all civil rights
• Waiting period varies by offense (5-10 years)

New York

• Governor has exclusive pardon power
• New York Constitution, Article IV, Section 4
• Apply through Governor's Counsel's Office
• Certificate of Relief from Disabilities may be alternative
• No fixed waiting period but rehabilitation must be demonstrated

ATTACHMENTS CHECKLIST

☐ Certified copy of judgment of conviction
☐ Certified copy of indictment or information
☐ Presentence investigation report (if available)
☐ Proof of completion of sentence
☐ Proof of payment of fines and restitution
☐ Military discharge papers (DD-214) if applicable
☐ Character reference letters (minimum 3)
☐ Employment verification
☐ Documentation of community service/volunteer work
☐ Tax returns (if requested)
☐ Financial statement (if requested)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Federal Pardon Process:

1. Submission: Application submitted to Office of the Pardon Attorney
2. Initial Review: OPA reviews for completeness and eligibility
3. Investigation: FBI conducts background investigation
4. Victim Notification: Victims are contacted for input
5. OPA Recommendation: OPA makes recommendation to Deputy Attorney General
6. DAG Review: Deputy Attorney General reviews and makes recommendation to White House
7. Presidential Decision: President makes final decision
8. Timeline: Process typically takes 2-5+ years

Effects of a Federal Pardon:

• Restores civil rights lost due to conviction (voting, jury service)
• May restore firearm rights (case-by-case)
• Does NOT expunge or seal the criminal record
• Does NOT imply innocence
• Does NOT restore positions or licenses automatically
• Immigration consequences may still apply

Grounds for Denial:

• Incomplete or false application
• Failure to satisfy waiting period (without waiver)
• Insufficient demonstration of rehabilitation
• Continued criminal activity
• Failure to pay restitution or fines
• Failure to accept responsibility

CONTACT INFORMATION

Office of the Pardon Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

Phone: (202) 616-6070
Website: www.justice.gov/pardon

This template is based on federal pardon application requirements. For state pardons, contact the appropriate state agency (typically the Governor's Office, Parole Board, or Clemency Board). Requirements vary significantly by state.