Does a pardon take it off your record?

Asked by: Willa Kub  |  Last update: June 7, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (48 votes)

No, a pardon generally does not remove a conviction from your record; it's an official forgiveness that restores rights but leaves the conviction visible on public records, while an expungement or sealing actually removes or hides it, though some specific types of pardons (like Connecticut's Absolute Pardon) can erase records. A pardon adds a notation to your record, but background checks will still show the conviction, limiting job/housing opportunities, so you often need a separate legal process for removal, like expungement.

Does your record get wiped when you're pardoned?

A pardon has many benefits, but it does not erase your criminal history.

What crimes cannot be expunged in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, you generally cannot expunge serious violent felonies (like murder, rape, kidnapping), Class Y felonies, sex offenses involving a minor, or crimes requiring lifetime sex offender registration, along with offenses involving firearms or serious bodily injury. Other disqualifiers include having multiple felony convictions or not completing all sentence conditions (fines, probation).
 

What crimes cannot be expunged in KY?

In Kentucky, you generally cannot expunge serious violent felonies (like murder, manslaughter, rape, arson), Class A, B, or C felonies (unless specific exceptions apply), federal charges, or offenses involving child abuse/sexual offenses against children, plus you must have no pending charges and meet strict waiting periods (usually 5 years after sentence completion) without new convictions, notes <Kentucky Justice Online, <Smith & Wilcutt, LLC, <Cessna & George Law Firm, and <The Simon Law Office. Offenses against children, public corruption, and drug trafficking are also often excluded, though some Class D felonies and certain drug possession offenses are eligible under new laws. 

How much does expungement cost in KY?

In Kentucky, expungement costs depend on the offense: misdemeanors/violations generally cost $100 ($50 refundable if denied), while felonies cost around $300 ($50 non-refundable application fee plus a $250 fee if granted), plus a $40 Certificate of Eligibility fee from the Kentucky State Police for both. These fees cover court costs and state processing, with the full amount often required before records are cleared. 

📝HOW TO EXPUNGE FELONY CRIMINAL RECORD || 5 Steps

33 related questions found

What states restore gun rights to felons?

While most states prohibit felons from possessing firearms, some offer pathways to restoration, often automatically after sentence completion (like Michigan, after 3 years) or through court/executive action, with examples including Kansas (automatic relief after 3/8 years), Texas (automatic in-home possession after 5 years), Wyoming (non-violent first-time), and Virginia (petitioning the court). States vary greatly, with some offering relief only for non-violent offenses or after specific waiting periods, while federal law still generally prohibits possession. 

Are you still a felon if you're pardoned?

When the president grants a pardon, it erases any punishment and guilt of the pardoned person. It also restores the civil rights of the pardoned. However, a pardon does not remove an offense from a person's criminal record.

Do pardoned people still have a record?

A Pardon is an act of official forgiveness and is granted only in exceptional cases. It may serve as a means for the petitioner to advance in employment or education. A pardon does not expunge (remove) an offense from your record.

Is it better to seal or expunge your record?

It's better to get your record expunged if you're eligible, as it erases the record, making it like it never happened, but sealing is often more accessible, hiding it from the public but allowing law enforcement and some agencies access, so the "better" option depends on your specific offense, state laws, and desired level of privacy. Expungement offers a "clean slate," while sealing provides confidentiality for certain background checks. 

Can police pull up expunged records?

Police and other law enforcement agencies can access an expunged record only for certain purposes, such as if you apply for a law enforcement job or certification. In fact, if you seek employment as a police officer or similar role, you are required to disclose expunged convictions during the background process.

Do pardons show on background checks?

A pardon, unlike an expungement — a process by which criminal convictions are essentially erased from records — may not remove a charge or conviction from all background checks depending on the state and the background check provider.

What is a good reason to ask for a pardon?

Reason for seeking pardon

A pardon is not a sign of vindication and does not connote or establish innocence. For that reason, when considering the merits of a pardon petition, pardon officials take into account the petitioner's acceptance of responsibility, remorse, and atonement for the offense.

What cannot be pardoned?

Under the Constitution, the President has the authority to grant pardon for federal offenses, including those obtained in the United States District Courts, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, and military courts-martial. The President cannot pardon a state criminal offense.

Has Donald Trump pardoned anyone?

Trump issued a total of 144 pardons during his first four years in office: 1 in 2017, 6 in 2018, 11 in 2019, 52 in 2020, and 74 in January 2021.

Does a pardon mean no criminal record?

The California Constitution gives the Governor the right to pardon someone convicted of a crime in California. A pardon can restore some, but not all, rights lost due to a conviction. It does not erase or seal a record. California Constitution, Article 5, §8.

How does a pardon affect employment?

Will a pardon make it easier to get a job? Yes, a pardon can increase your chances of securing a job, but it depends. The pardon will not erase your conviction, but the pardon will appear on your record. This has some bearing for employers as it indicates that the state believes you have been rehabilitated.

What is the best state for felons?

50-State Comparison: Limits on Use of Criminal Record in Employment, Licensing & Housing

  • Utah. ...
  • Vermont. ...
  • Virgin Islands. ...
  • Virginia. ...
  • Washington. ...
  • West Virginia. ...
  • Wisconsin. ...
  • Wyoming. Wyoming has no laws restricting consideration of criminal record in employment, including limits on application-stage employer inquiries.