How long does expungement take?

From filing to court order: 3–12 months depending on your state and court backlog. California and Michigan can be faster; states with mandatory hearing requirements take longer. After the order is granted, government agencies have 30–90 days to update their records. Internet cleanup is a separate process that runs parallel.

How much does expungement cost?

Court filing fees range from $50 to $400 depending on the state. If you hire an attorney, add $1,000–$3,500 in legal fees for a straightforward case. Many people self-file successfully for just the filing fee. Legal aid organizations provide free help for income-qualified applicants.

Do I need a lawyer to get expunged?

Not always. Simple, straightforward expungements - single misdemeanor, completed sentence, no contested hearing - are commonly handled by people without attorneys. Your state court's self-help center or legal aid website often has the forms and instructions. Complex cases benefit from attorney representation.

What charges can be expunged?

This is entirely state-specific. Generally, first-offense misdemeanors and non-violent felonies are most eligible. Many states now allow expungement of drug offenses under updated policies. Violent felonies, sex offenses, and offenses involving children are typically not eligible. Dismissed cases and arrests without conviction are almost always eligible.

Does expungement show up on background checks?

After successful expungement, the record should not appear on standard employer or housing background checks run through FCRA-compliant agencies. However, some background check companies lag in updating their databases. Law enforcement, some federal agencies, and certain professional licensing boards may retain access to expunged records depending on state law.

What is the difference between expungement and record sealing?

Expungement and sealing both restrict access to your criminal record, but they work differently. Expungement typically involves the destruction or obliteration of the record - it is treated as if it never existed. Sealing keeps the record intact but removes it from public view - it still exists in government files but is not accessible in standard searches. The practical effect on background checks is similar, but the distinction matters for certain federal applications and security clearance proceedings. State terminology varies: some states use these terms interchangeably or have unique approaches.

Will expungement remove my record from the internet?

No - expungement addresses the official court record, not the internet. Websites like Justia, CourtListener, Google Scholar, and hundreds of background check sites indexed your case from the original court data before expungement. They are not automatically notified when expungement occurs and are not legally required to update their records. After expungement, you must separately contact each platform to request removal. This internet cleanup process is separate from and in addition to the legal expungement process.

Can an expunged record be used against me in future criminal cases?

In most states, prosecutors and courts can access expunged records for specific limited purposes - particularly for sentencing in subsequent criminal cases and for repeat-offense enhancements. While expunged records are not visible in public background checks, the criminal justice system typically retains access. This is one reason why expungement does not create a completely clean slate in all legal proceedings, even when it fully protects you from employment and housing background check exposure.

How long does online court record removal take?

Online court record removal typically takes 2 to 12 weeks depending on the number of sites publishing your record, each platform's response time, and whether legal processes (expungement, sealing) are involved. Commercial data broker sites tend to respond faster (1-4 weeks) than legal databases (4-8 weeks). Google de-indexing adds another 2-4 weeks. Our team coordinates all removals simultaneously to minimize total time.

Do I need an expungement to remove records from the internet?

No - expungement and online record removal are two separate processes. Many records can be removed from online databases, background check sites, and Google search results without any court order. Expungement seals records from government databases; online removal targets commercial and third-party websites. Both should be pursued together for the most complete result.

How long does expungement take?+

From filing to court order: 3–12 months depending on your state and court backlog. California and Michigan can be faster; states with mandatory hearing requirements take longer. After the order is granted, government agencies have 30–90 days to update their records. Internet cleanup is a separate process that runs parallel.

How much does expungement cost?+

Court filing fees range from $50 to $400 depending on the state. If you hire an attorney, add $1,000–$3,500 in legal fees for a straightforward case. Many people self-file successfully for just the filing fee. Legal aid organizations provide free help for income-qualified applicants.

Do I need a lawyer to get expunged?+

Not always. Simple, straightforward expungements - single misdemeanor, completed sentence, no contested hearing - are commonly handled by people without attorneys. Your state court's self-help center or legal aid website often has the forms and instructions. Complex cases benefit from attorney representation.

What charges can be expunged?+

This is entirely state-specific. Generally, first-offense misdemeanors and non-violent felonies are most eligible. Many states now allow expungement of drug offenses under updated policies. Violent felonies, sex offenses, and offenses involving children are typically not eligible. Dismissed cases and arrests without conviction are almost always eligible.

Does expungement show up on background checks?+

After successful expungement, the record should not appear on standard employer or housing background checks run through FCRA-compliant agencies. However, some background check companies lag in updating their databases. Law enforcement, some federal agencies, and certain professional licensing boards may retain access to expunged records depending on state law.

What is the difference between expungement and record sealing?+

Expungement and sealing both restrict access to your criminal record, but they work differently. Expungement typically involves the destruction or obliteration of the record - it is treated as if it never existed. Sealing keeps the record intact but removes it from public view - it still exists in government files but is not accessible in standard searches. The practical effect on background checks is similar, but the distinction matters for certain federal applications and security clearance proceedings. State terminology varies: some states use these terms interchangeably or have unique approaches.

Will expungement remove my record from the internet?+

No - expungement addresses the official court record, not the internet. Websites like Justia, CourtListener, Google Scholar, and hundreds of background check sites indexed your case from the original court data before expungement. They are not automatically notified when expungement occurs and are not legally required to update their records. After expungement, you must separately contact each platform to request removal. This internet cleanup process is separate from and in addition to the legal expungement process.

Can an expunged record be used against me in future criminal cases?+

In most states, prosecutors and courts can access expunged records for specific limited purposes - particularly for sentencing in subsequent criminal cases and for repeat-offense enhancements. While expunged records are not visible in public background checks, the criminal justice system typically retains access. This is one reason why expungement does not create a completely clean slate in all legal proceedings, even when it fully protects you from employment and housing background check exposure.

Expungement Guide

How to Get Your Record Expunged: Complete 2026 Guide

Getting your record expunged is one of the most impactful steps you can take for your future - but the process is different in every state. This guide covers the complete expungement process from eligibility check to final cleanup, including the critical internet cleanup step that most guides omit.

By Anthony Will Est. 2013 Published May 27, 2026 Read time: 10 min

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How to Get Your Record Expunged: Complete 2026 Guide

Was your record expunged?It may still show online.Find out — free.

Was your record expunged?
It may still show online.
Find out — free.