Does Georgia have expungement?

Georgia does not have traditional expungement where records are destroyed. Instead, Georgia provides "record restriction" under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, which removes certain records from public access in the GCIC database without destroying them. The record remains accessible to law enforcement and certain authorized entities. Restriction is available primarily for non-convictions: arrests with no prosecution, dismissed cases, and acquittals. Most convictions are not eligible for restriction unless the First Offender Act was applied at sentencing.

What is record restriction in Georgia?

Record restriction under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 removes a criminal record from public access in the Georgia Crime Information Center database. Restricted records are not visible to private employers, landlords, or members of the public in standard background checks. However, law enforcement, criminal courts, certain licensing boards, and other specified entities retain access. Restriction does not destroy the record and does not affect third-party websites that previously indexed the information.

Can employers see restricted records in Georgia?

Most private employers conducting standard background checks cannot see restricted records in Georgia's GCIC database. However, exemptions exist for criminal justice agencies, school bus driver employers, positions involving care of children or vulnerable adults, licensed healthcare facilities, and certain state licensing boards. Additionally, background check companies that pull from third-party aggregator sites - rather than directly from GCIC - may still show restricted information if those sites haven't been updated. This is why addressing online records separately from the official restriction process is important.

How do I remove my Georgia court case from Google?

Removing a Georgia court case from Google requires addressing the source pages Google has indexed. First, obtain documentation of your record restriction or First Offender Act discharge. Submit removal requests to each platform showing your case - the relevant county court clerk portal, CourtListener, Justia, and data broker sites. Once source pages are removed or restricted, submit a Google Personal Information Removal Tool request for remaining indexed URLs. Google processes these within 2 to 6 weeks, but the underlying source must be addressed first for lasting de-indexing.

What is the First Offender Act in Georgia and does it clear online records?

The Georgia First Offender Act (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60) allows qualifying first-time offenders to complete probation without a formal adjudication of guilt. Upon successful completion, the court discharges the defendant and restricts the record from public view in GCIC. The person may represent themselves as not having been convicted in most contexts. However, First Offender discharge does not automatically remove the record from third-party websites, legal databases, or data broker sites - those require separate removal requests with documentation of the discharge order.

Does removing a court record from Georgia's court portal also remove it from background checks?

No. Removing a record from the state court portal is a separate step from removing it from background check databases. Background check companies maintain their own databases and don't automatically sync with court portal changes. After your court record is sealed or removed from the state portal, you need to separately notify background check companies and submit documentation of the legal change.

How long does it take to remove Georgia court records from Google?

Removing Georgia court records from Google typically takes 4-10 weeks. The process includes: (1) requesting removal from source pages (state court website, legal databases), (2) submitting Google URL removal requests, and (3) following up as Google processes the de-indexing. We work all sources simultaneously to minimize the total timeline. Results are confirmed before charging.

Does expungement remove my records from the internet?

No - expungement is a court order that seals your record from government databases, but it does not automatically notify or update third-party websites, background check companies, or legal databases like Justia, UniCourt, or Spokeo. You must pursue online removal separately after obtaining your expungement. This is a critical distinction most attorneys do not explain upfront.

Can employers see expunged records?

In most states, private employers cannot access expunged records through standard background checks. However, certain licensed professions (healthcare, law, education, finance) and federal government positions may still require disclosure. The rules vary significantly by state and by type of employer, so consult a local attorney to understand your specific obligations.

How long does expungement take?

The expungement process typically takes 3 to 12 months depending on your state, the court's caseload, and whether the prosecutor objects. Some states have expedited processes for certain offense types. After the court grants the order, you should allow an additional 30 to 90 days for government databases to update - and online third-party sites may never update without a separate removal request.

What is the cost of expungement?

Expungement costs range from $150 to $400 in court filing fees, plus attorney fees of $1,000 to $3,500 depending on complexity. Some states offer fee waivers for low-income applicants. After expungement, online record removal is a separate service that operates on a results-only basis - you only pay after the records are confirmed removed.

Does Georgia have expungement? +

Georgia does not have traditional expungement where records are destroyed. Instead, Georgia provides "record restriction" under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, which removes certain records from public access in the GCIC database without destroying them. The record remains accessible to law enforcement and certain authorized entities. Restriction is available primarily for non-convictions: arrests with no prosecution, dismissed cases, and acquittals. Most convictions are not eligible for restriction unless the First Offender Act was applied at sentencing.

What is record restriction in Georgia? +

Record restriction under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 removes a criminal record from public access in the Georgia Crime Information Center database. Restricted records are not visible to private employers, landlords, or members of the public in standard background checks. However, law enforcement, criminal courts, certain licensing boards, and other specified entities retain access. Restriction does not destroy the record and does not affect third-party websites that previously indexed the information.

Can employers see restricted records in Georgia? +

Most private employers conducting standard background checks cannot see restricted records in Georgia's GCIC database. However, exemptions exist for criminal justice agencies, school bus driver employers, positions involving care of children or vulnerable adults, licensed healthcare facilities, and certain state licensing boards. Additionally, background check companies that pull from third-party aggregator sites - rather than directly from GCIC - may still show restricted information if those sites haven't been updated. This is why addressing online records separately from the official restriction process is important.

How do I remove my Georgia court case from Google? +

Removing a Georgia court case from Google requires addressing the source pages Google has indexed. First, obtain documentation of your record restriction or First Offender Act discharge. Submit removal requests to each platform showing your case - the relevant county court clerk portal, CourtListener, Justia, and data broker sites. Once source pages are removed or restricted, submit a Google Personal Information Removal Tool request for remaining indexed URLs. Google processes these within 2 to 6 weeks, but the underlying source must be addressed first for lasting de-indexing.

What is the First Offender Act in Georgia and does it clear online records? +

The Georgia First Offender Act (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60) allows qualifying first-time offenders to complete probation without a formal adjudication of guilt. Upon successful completion, the court discharges the defendant and restricts the record from public view in GCIC. The person may represent themselves as not having been convicted in most contexts. However, First Offender discharge does not automatically remove the record from third-party websites, legal databases, or data broker sites - those require separate removal requests with documentation of the discharge order.

Does removing a court record from Georgia's court portal also remove it from background checks?+

No. Removing a record from the state court portal is a separate step from removing it from background check databases. Background check companies maintain their own databases and don't automatically sync with court portal changes. After your court record is sealed or removed from the state portal, you need to separately notify background check companies and submit documentation of the legal change.

How long does it take to remove Georgia court records from Google?+

Removing Georgia court records from Google typically takes 4-10 weeks. The process includes: (1) requesting removal from source pages (state court website, legal databases), (2) submitting Google URL removal requests, and (3) following up as Google processes the de-indexing. We work all sources simultaneously to minimize the total timeline. Results are confirmed before charging.

Georgia State Guide · 2026

Georgia Expungement, Record Restriction & Court Record Removal

Georgia does not have traditional expungement. Instead, the state uses a process called "record restriction" - governed primarily by O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 - which limits public access to a criminal record without physically destroying it. A separate pathway, the Georgia First Offender Act (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60), allows qualifying first-time offenders to complete probation without a formal conviction, after which the record is restricted. Both mechanisms are narrower than what many other states offer, and both share the same digital blind spot: they update Georgia's official criminal information database, but they do not reach the web. This guide explains what Georgia law can and cannot do for your record, identifies where Georgia court records most commonly appear online, and outlines the steps needed to address both the legal record and its internet footprint.

By Anthony Will Est. 2013 Published May 27, 2026 Published May 27, 2026 Read time: 16 min

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Georgia Expungement, Record Restriction & Court Record Removal

Can your Georgia court record be removed from Google?Find out — free.

Can your Georgia court record be removed from Google?
Find out — free.