Criminal records & expungement
Criminal Record Expungement: Costs, Timelines & How to Check
Last updated June 13, 2026
What expungement is, who qualifies, how long it takes, and what it costs — plus how to check your own record. Eligibility varies by state; here's the framework.
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- Expungement (or sealing) limits public access to a criminal record — sometimes erasing it, sometimes hiding it from most background checks.
- Eligibility, waiting periods, and which offenses qualify vary dramatically by state.
- It usually requires a petition to the court, sometimes with a hearing.
- Costs are filing fees plus (often) attorney fees; timelines run weeks to many months.
- Before hiring an expungement attorney, verify their license and disciplinary record — it's free.
Expungement vs. sealing
The two terms overlap and states use them differently. Broadly, expungement treats the record as if it never existed (or destroys it), while sealing hides it from public view but keeps it accessible to certain agencies. Either way, the practical goal is the same: the offense stops showing up on most background checks.
Who generally qualifies
Eligibility is the heart of it, and it's entirely state-specific. Common factors: the type of offense (many states bar expungement for violent or sex offenses), the outcome (dismissals and acquittals are easier to clear than convictions), a waiting period after the case closed, and a clean record since. Some states have expanded eligibility recently, including automatic 'clean slate' sealing for certain offenses.
How to check your own record first
Before you petition, know what's actually on your record — request your criminal history from the state repository or court. You can't expunge what you can't identify, and the petition usually has to list the specific cases.
attorney records across 45 states are searchable on this site right now.
Source: official state bar registration rosters.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between expungement and sealing?
Expungement generally erases or destroys the record; sealing hides it from public view but keeps it available to some agencies. States define the terms differently, so the specifics depend on where your case was.
Does expungement work nationwide?
No. Each state controls expungement of its own records, and federal records follow separate, narrow rules. A record expunged in one state can be handled differently elsewhere, and federal expungement is very limited.
Do I need a lawyer to expunge a record?
Not always — some states have simple petition forms or automatic sealing. But for convictions or anything complex, an expungement attorney improves your odds. Verify any attorney's license and discipline record before you hire.
Related guides
- Can a DUI Be Expunged?
- How Much Does Expungement Cost?
- If Charges Are Dismissed, Do You Still Have a Record?
Numbers on this page are computed from official rosters — see our data sources & methodology. This guide is part of the criminal records & expungement series.
This site republishes official public records and is not legal advice, a lawyer referral service, or a consumer reporting agency. Information here may not be used to make decisions about employment, tenancy, or credit (FCRA). Records are shown as published by their official sources and may contain errors or be out of date; consult the linked official source to verify. To correct or dispute a record, contact the licensing authority of record.