Alabama Expungement, Sealing & Court Record Removal

Alabama's Expungement Law - What It Is and What It Isn't

Alabama enacted its expungement statute under Ala. Code § 15-27-1 in 2014 and has expanded it modestly since, including amendments in 2021 that added some narrow Class C felony pathways. But compared to states like California or New Jersey, Alabama's law remains sharply limited. Understanding what it actually covers - and what it doesn't - is essential before investing time and money in the legal process.

Alabama expungement seals records from public view rather than physically destroying them. Law enforcement and certain licensing boards retain access. The order directs the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the originating court, and prosecutorial agencies to restrict public access. It has no legal authority over Google, data brokers, or third-party legal databases.

Eligibility for Expungement in Alabama

Alabama's eligibility rules are specific and unforgiving. A single prior felony conviction, a pending charge in any jurisdiction, or an offense that falls into an excluded category will disqualify a petition. The law requires that you meet all applicable criteria simultaneously.

Non-Conviction Records

This is where Alabama's law is most permissive. If your charge was dismissed (with or without prejudice), no-billed by a grand jury, acquitted at trial, or never formally filed after your arrest, you are generally eligible to petition for expungement. For dismissals without prejudice, you must wait 90 days to ensure the charge is not re-filed. These non-conviction expungements are the most straightforward and have the highest approval rates. Learn more about expungement vs. record sealing on our blog.

Misdemeanor Convictions

To expunge a misdemeanor conviction in Alabama, all of the following must be true: Learn more about court record removal on our blog.

• At least five years have elapsed since you completed your sentence, including probation, fines, and restitution
• You have not been convicted of any other criminal offense during the five-year period
• No criminal charges are currently pending in any jurisdiction
• The offense was not a violent crime, a sex offense, a DUI, or domestic violence

DUI convictions are categorically ineligible for expungement in Alabama regardless of how much time has passed. This surprises many Alabama residents who assume a decades-old DUI can eventually be expunged.

Felony Convictions

Alabama does not have a general pathway for expunging felony convictions. The 2021 amendment created a narrow exception for certain non-violent Class C felonies - but only where the conviction arose from a drug court program or diversion program, and additional criteria apply. Class A and Class B felony convictions, all violent felonies, and sex offenses remain categorically ineligible. If your felony conviction is not eligible, the focus shifts entirely to online suppression and reputation management. Learn more about background check reports on our blog.

Why Alabama Court Records Persist Online After Expungement

Alabama expungement orders direct state agencies to seal the record - but they have no binding legal effect on private websites, data aggregators, or search engines. Understanding each source is essential for setting realistic expectations. For more information, visit the Alabama court system.

alacourt.com - The State Court Portal

Alabama's public court access portal is alacourt.com, operated by the Administrative Office of Courts. When an expungement order is entered, it is transmitted to the clerk of the originating court, who is responsible for ensuring the record is restricted in the system. However, the update process is not instantaneous. Records have been observed remaining visible on alacourt.com for weeks to months after a valid expungement order. If your case still appears after 60 days, contact the originating court clerk with a certified copy of your expungement order and request a manual correction in writing.

ALEA Criminal History Repository

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency maintains the state's criminal history repository, which feeds official background check systems used by employers and licensing boards. An expungement order directs ALEA to seal the record - but ALEA's processing timelines vary and errors occur. After your expungement is granted, request a copy of your updated criminal history record from ALEA to confirm the record is properly sealed before relying on the expungement in employment or licensing contexts.

CourtListener and Third-Party Legal Databases

CourtListener indexes primarily appellate decisions. If your case reached the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals or the Alabama Supreme Court, that published opinion may be indexed on CourtListener and searchable by name. State trial court records are generally not indexed by CourtListener, but appellate opinions referencing your case persist even after expungement of the trial record. These require direct contact with CourtListener with documentation, and some may require a court order specifically directed at the platform.

Data Broker and Background Check Sites

Spokeo, BeenVerified, TruthFinder, Intelius, Whitepages, and dozens of other data aggregators compiled your criminal record from public sources before the expungement was granted. Alabama's expungement statute does not require these companies to remove or update your data, and most will not do so voluntarily without a formal opt-out request. Each site has its own process, timelines vary (typically 2 to 6 weeks per site), and profiles can repopulate from other data sources after removal.

How to Remove Alabama Court Records from Google and Data Broker Sites

Whether or not you qualify for expungement, there are actionable steps to reduce how prominently your Alabama court record appears online. Having an expungement order significantly strengthens removal requests, but many steps are available without one. For more information, visit the Alabama Code.

1. 1
   Obtain your expungement order (if eligible)
   File a verified petition in the circuit court of the county where the charges were prosecuted. Pay the $300 filing fee (fee waiver available for indigent petitioners). The district attorney has 45 days to object. If no objection is filed, the court typically rules on the papers without a hearing. After the order is signed, it is transmitted to ALEA and the originating agencies. Keep certified copies - you will need them for every removal request you submit.
2. 2
   Verify alacourt.com has been updated
   Search alacourt.com for your name and case number 60 to 90 days after your expungement order. If the case still appears publicly accessible, contact the circuit court clerk's office with your order number and request a manual update. Get the name of the clerk you speak with and follow up in writing to create a paper trail.
3. 3
   Audit all URLs showing your record in Google
   Search Google for your full name combined with "arrest," "court," your city, and offense type in various combinations. Compile every URL that surfaces your record - alacourt.com, Justia, CourtListener, Mugshots.com, Arrest.org, and all data broker sites. This list becomes your removal work queue. Screenshot each URL with a timestamp before submitting removal requests.
4. 4
   Submit opt-out requests to data broker sites
   Submit opt-out requests to Spokeo, BeenVerified, Intelius, TruthFinder, PeopleFinder, Radaris, Whitepages, and all others showing your record. Include your expungement order number and documentation where requested. Most process removals within 2 to 6 weeks. Set 90-day calendar reminders to re-check each site, as profiles can repopulate.
5. 5
   Request removal from mugshot and arrest record sites
   Sites like Mugshots.com and Arrest.org operate independently of court systems. Many require a formal request citing your expungement order. Provide certified order documentation with every request. If a site refuses, a DMCA notice or cease-and-desist from an attorney may be effective. Document all communications.
6. 6
   Submit Google removal requests
   Once source pages have been removed or restricted, submit requests through Google's Personal Information Removal Tool. For pages already updated at the source, use Google's Outdated Content Removal tool to de-cache the old version. Google processes most requests within 2 to 4 weeks. Re-check your name in Google 30 days after each removal to confirm de-indexing.

When Legal Expungement Isn't Available: Online Suppression Strategies

Most Alabama residents with court records - particularly those with felony convictions, DUIs, or domestic violence charges - will not qualify for expungement. That doesn't mean nothing can be done about their online presence. Reputation management strategies can meaningfully reduce how prominently these records appear in search results, even without a court order.

Data Broker Opt-Outs Without an Expungement Order

You do not need an expungement order to submit opt-out requests to data broker sites. Most sites will remove your profile upon request regardless of whether the record has been expunged. The effectiveness varies by site, and profiles tend to repopulate over time - but consistent opt-out maintenance can keep your record off most major aggregators. This is particularly valuable for employment background checks, which often rely on data broker compilations rather than direct court records.

Google De-Indexing for Non-Expunged Records

Google's Personal Information Removal Policy covers certain categories of personal data, including some criminal record information where the underlying page is no longer publicly accessible. For records that appear on sites that subsequently removed your profile (such as a data broker opt-out), Google's Outdated Content Removal tool can de-cache the URL. For other records, suppression - building positive online content that outranks the court record pages - is often more realistic than direct removal.

Frequently Asked Questions - Alabama Court Record Removal