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AO 243

Motion to Vacate/Set Aside Sentence (Motion Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255)

Federal · United States Courts · Effective September 1, 2017

This form is a request to a federal court to cancel, change, or correct a sentence. It asks the person filling it out to provide details about the original conviction and sentence they are challenging.

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Where this fits in a case

Motions

Stage: Motions

This form is used by a person who is currently serving a sentence under a judgment from a federal court.

Either party may file.

Common questions

Who should fill out this form?
You must be a person who is currently serving a sentence under a judgment in a federal court.
What does this form ask for?
It is a motion asking the court for relief from the conviction or the sentence.
If I cannot pay for this motion, what should I do?
You may ask to proceed in forma pauperis by filling out the last page of the form and submitting a certificate from the institution where you are confined.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect September 1, 2017.

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