Can TSA see expunged records?

Asked by: Ms. Marcelina Gislason PhD  |  Last update: December 17, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (30 votes)

Thus, because the TSA likely already knows about your expunged criminal record, it is always best to be honest and forthright throughout the Global Entry application process and to admit to the expunged offense.

Will expunged records show up on security clearance?

Only certain employers, varying by state but usually including law enforcement and others, may be able to see such results. Will an expunged record show up on security clearance? Most likely, yes.

Can customs see expunged records?

In short, yes – immigration can look at your expunged record. Because immigration is a federal process, agencies like the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) essentially ignore state laws about expungement.

Do expunged records show up on Global Entry?

If the records have been expunged, CBP may not have access to them and therefore may not consider them in the Global Entry application process. However, if the expungement is not recognized by CBP or if the applicant has other criminal history that is not expunged, the application may be denied.

Can federal agencies see expunged records?

Federal Agencies

The law also states that “other interested persons and agencies” can see expunged records. This means that federal agencies will have access, including the: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

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Can TSA see sealed records?

The application process for TSA PreCheck does require running your fingerprints through the federal database. Your expunged crime may show up, but it doesn't necessarily disqualify you.

What agencies can see expunged records?

Who Can See My Criminal Record after It Is Expunged?
  • Criminal justice agencies (court administrative jobs, positions with juvenile court or state prisons, police officer jobs)
  • Human service agencies (social work positions, probation officer positions, counselors)
  • Department of Education (working in a public school)

What crimes disqualify you from TSA PreCheck?

If you commit certain violations of federal security regulations, such as assault, threat, intimidation, or interference with flight crew, physical or sexual assault or threat of physical or sexual assault of any individual on an aircraft, interference with security operations, access control violations, providing ...

Can Canada see expunged records?

Can I Visit Canada with a Criminal Record That Has Been Expunged? Even if a criminal record has been sealed or expunged in the United States, it will typically still be visible to the CBSA.

How far back is the background check for Global Entry?

How far back do Global Entry background checks go? They will go back 10-20 years of your record, but if you have at least kept your record clean for the past ten years, then it won't prevent you from getting a Global Entry membership.

Can you travel to the USA from Canada with a criminal record?

If a Canadian citizen or PR is approved for a US Waiver, they can travel to the United States with a criminal record as often as they wish so long as the permit has not expired. If a Canadian attempts to enter the US with a record and has not obtained a Waiver, he or she may be denied entry on grounds of criminality.

Can the FBI see expunged charges?

A Level 2 FBI Background Check

A Level 2 check will even uncover those sealed or expunged records – especially if they involve the mistreatment of children, the elderly, or the disabled.

What disqualifies you from security clearance?

What can disqualify you?
  • You are not a U.S. citizen.
  • You were dishonorably discharged from the military.
  • You are currently involved in illegal drug use.
  • You have been judged as mentally incompetent or mentally incapacitated by a mental health professional.
  • You have had a clearance revoked for security reasons.

How do you know if your criminal record has been expunged?

The defendant has to affirmatively fill out papers, go to court, etc. If you're in California and you haven't done any of that, then I doubt you have an expungement. The sure fire way to know whether you have an expungement is to go to the courthouse where you got convicted and ask to see the file from your case.

Does your criminal record clear after 7 years in Canada?

It's a common misconception. And the question is, does your criminal record in Canada clear after seven years? Unfortunately, the answer is, it does not magically disappear.

Can customs see sealed records?

“I was granted entry without a problem, but I am wondering how the officer knew my history without seeing my case?” Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) still have access to records that are sealed. Even if you have an expunged or sealed record, the U.S. government has access to that documentation and can see your records.

How much does it cost to get your record expunged in Canada?

While there is no fee to apply for an expungement order, please note that costs may be incurred in terms of retrieving the documentation needed for your application. IMPORTANT! Keep a photocopy for yourself of all documents you submit to the Parole Board of Canada.

Can TSA see your criminal record?

However, to safeguard the ranks of this vital agency, a rigorous and thorough background check was set into place as part of the TSA hiring process. From checking credit rating to unpaid debts, and criminal convictions, there are a number of factors that can you lead to automatic disqualification.

What gets flagged at TSA?

Here are some reasons that are believed to get a person flagged on TSA's Selectee List.
  • Booking a one-way ticket.
  • Paying for a ticket with cash.
  • Making flight reservations on short notice.
  • Recent travel to certain countries.
  • Holding a passport from a country that the U.S. does not have a good relationship with.

What fails a TSA background check?

You cannot pass a TSA background check if you've served jail time (foreign or domestic) for longer than 365 consecutive days. You may also fail if you have a history of security-related offenses that violate transport safety regulations, for example, intimidating flight crew members.

Do you have to disclose expunged records for security clearance?

The answer to this question will almost always be emphatic: yes, you should disclose the record even though it has been expunged. Although expungement laws vary from state to state, generally speaking, they are not actually deleted or destroyed when criminal records are expunged.

Will an expunged record show on a fingerprint check?

In California, specific labor codes, such as under the California Labor Code 437.2 (c), prevent employers from considering expunged convictions during the hiring application process.

Will a felony show up on a background check after 10 years?

Under Cal. Civ. Code 1786.18(a)(7), California mandates that a conviction can't be reported when it's older than seven years. Arrests that didn't lead to convictions can't be reported regardless of how much time has elapsed.