Expunged
U.S. Naturalization Test (2025 Standard) glossary · English
Definition
A record that a court has sealed, set aside, or erased under a particular law. Expungement does not automatically erase immigration disclosure duties, so follow the exact N-400 wording and instructions and obtain qualified legal advice for case-specific questions.
Expunged in plain English
'Expunged' means a court has officially sealed, set aside, or erased a record — usually an arrest or criminal record — so that in most everyday situations it's treated as if it never happened. But here's the catch that really matters for citizenship: even an expunged record often must STILL be disclosed on the N-400 form, because immigration rules don't automatically forget it. So read the N-400 questions exactly as worded, follow the instructions, and get advice from a qualified immigration lawyer for your specific situation — guessing here can cost you.
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