Criminal record expungement checker

Legal information only. Expungement eligibility rules vary dramatically by state. This screener provides general guidance only. A criminal defense attorney confirms final eligibility for your specific state and record. See our full disclaimer.

Expungement eligibility screener

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An expungement attorney will review your complete record and confirm eligibility in your specific state. Many expungements are completed for flat fees of $500 to $1,500.

What does expungement actually do to your criminal record?

Expungement (also called record sealing or dismissal depending on the state) legally treats the conviction or arrest as if it never happened. After a successful expungement, you can legally answer "no" to most employment and housing background check questions asking about prior convictions. The record is removed from public databases, court records systems, and most background check services.

The practical impact is enormous. Studies show expungement recipients experience a 25% average wage increase within 2 years of having their records cleared, primarily from access to jobs that were previously unavailable. People with expunged records are also more likely to obtain professional licenses, qualify for better housing, and access higher education programs. If your record involves a DUI, first check the DUI defense screener - avoiding the conviction entirely is better than expunging it later. If you have a pending case, the bail calculator estimates your current costs while your case resolves.

What records cannot be expunged?

Most states exclude violent felonies, sex offenses requiring registration, murder, kidnapping, and crimes against children from expungement eligibility. Federal convictions have extremely limited expungement availability. Multiple convictions may also disqualify you even if individual offenses would otherwise be eligible. The rules vary so significantly by state that only a state-specific attorney review confirms actual eligibility.

Expungement vs. record sealing - what is the difference?

Expungement typically destroys or permanently removes the record from public databases. Record sealing hides it from public view but the record still exists and can be accessed by courts and law enforcement. For employment and housing background checks, both options produce the same result - the record does not appear. Some states only offer sealing for certain offense types. Your attorney will identify which relief your state provides and which offers better protection for your specific situation.

How much does expungement cost and how long does it take?

Court filing fees typically run $100 to $400 depending on state. Attorney flat fees for a straightforward expungement range from $500 to $1,500. More complex cases with multiple charges cost more. Most nonprofit legal aid organizations offer free or reduced-cost expungement for income-qualifying applicants. Timelines range from 3 months to over a year. Given that a cleared record produces an average 25% wage increase, the investment recovers itself quickly.

Frequently asked questions about expungement

Most private employers will not be able to see an expunged record because it is removed from public court records and most commercial background check databases. However, certain government agencies, law enforcement positions, and jobs requiring security clearances may still access sealed records. Employers in regulated industries like banking, healthcare, and childcare may also have access depending on state law. Your attorney will advise exactly what your state's expungement law removes from which databases and what you can legally say on job applications.

It depends on the state and the specific felony. Many states now allow expungement of non-violent felonies after a waiting period of 3 to 7 years with no subsequent convictions. California, Illinois, Texas, and approximately 30 other states have expanded felony expungement laws in recent years. Violent felonies and sex offenses are almost universally excluded. An attorney review of your specific conviction in your specific state is the only reliable answer - general rules are misleading given how much state law varies.

Yes - arrest records without conviction are among the easiest to expunge and are eligible in virtually every state. Even an arrest that was dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or where charges were never filed can appear on background checks and cause employment problems. These records are almost always expungeable immediately or with minimal waiting period. If you were arrested but not convicted, contact an attorney now - there is rarely a reason to let an arrest record remain when it can be cleared.

Waiting periods vary by state and offense type. Misdemeanors typically require 1 to 3 years after sentence completion. Non-violent felonies typically require 3 to 7 years. All terms of the sentence - probation, fines, restitution, and community service - must be fully completed before the waiting period clock starts in most states. Some states have recently eliminated waiting periods entirely for certain low-level offenses. An attorney confirms the specific waiting period that applies to your charge in your state.

Expungement in one state only directly affects that state's records. However, national commercial background check databases typically update to reflect the expungement within 30 to 90 days of the order. The FBI's criminal database (used for government and regulated industry checks) may still retain the record. If you committed the offense in one state while residing in another, multi-state considerations apply and your attorney needs to address records in both jurisdictions. Interstate expungement situations are more complex but still manageable with experienced counsel.