How long does it take to get a pardon in the USA?
Asked by: Aditya Heaney | Last update: February 11, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (12 votes)
Getting a pardon in the U.S. takes anywhere from 1 to 3 years, often longer, with federal pardons typically taking years due to extensive reviews by the Department of Justice and White House, while state processes vary but also involve investigations, board hearings, and gubernatorial approval, requiring applicants to meet strict waiting periods and eligibility rules first. The timeline depends heavily on the jurisdiction (state or federal), the complexity of the case, the volume of applications, and whether a governor or president is making the final decision.
How long does it take to get a US pardon?
The average processing time at the National Pardon Centre for a waiver is 8 – 12 months, start to finish. This includes the time it takes to complete the steps required to complete the government paperwork.
What crimes cannot be pardoned?
The President of the United States may pardon anyone who commits a federal offense against the United States. They may also pardon anyone who commits a federal offense against the District of Columbia. The president cannot grant pardons for violations of state laws.
How hard is it to get pardoned?
An applicant must satisfy a minimum waiting period of five years before he becomes eligible to apply for a presidential pardon of his federal conviction, although the President can choose to pardon at an earlier time without the applicant formally applying for one.
How much does it cost to get pardoned?
Applications generally will not be considered unless the applicant has been discharged from probation or parole for at least 10 years without further criminal activity during that period. There is no fee for applying for a pardon.
How long does it take to get a presidential pardon?
What is a good reason to ask for a pardon?
it may restore your ability to serve as a juror, it restores your ability to hold public office, it restores your ability to legally possess a firearm, it restores your ability to volunteer in certain settings, and.
How many pardons did Trump give?
List of people granted executive clemency in the second Trump presidency. In his role as the 47th president of the United States (January 20, 2025 – present), Donald Trump granted executive clemency to more than 1,600 individuals as of July 23, 2025, all of whom were charged or convicted of federal criminal offenses.
Can you refuse to be pardoned?
In United States v. Wilson (1833), the U.S. Supreme Court held that a pardon can be rejected by the intended recipient and must be affirmatively accepted to be officially recognized by the courts. In that case, George Wilson was convicted of robbing the US Mail and was sentenced to death.
Do you still have a record if you get pardoned?
Does a pardon erase a conviction from the record? No. A pardon To release someone from punishment for a crime they were convicted of committing forgives the conviction When someone is declared guilty of a crime by a court but does not erase it from the record.
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.
How much does a pardon attorney cost?
A pardon lawyer's cost varies significantly, with hourly rates from $100 to over $500/hour and flat fees ranging from $1,000 to $10,000+, depending on lawyer experience, case complexity (state vs. federal), and jurisdiction; some firms offer packages, while others charge for eligibility assessments. Expect higher fees for complex federal cases or those requiring hearings, with potential costs sometimes reaching thousands of dollars.
What is the acceptance rate for pardons?
Frequent and Regular: The overall grant rate of those eligible for both types of relief has increased steadily in recent years from 47% in 2013 to 77% in 2018, when 767 of 983 eligible applicants were granted pardon, 443 by the expedited procedure authorized in 2015.
Does a pardon remove your criminal record in the USA?
Does a certificate of pardon expunge or erase a criminal conviction? No. Expungement is a judicial remedy that cannot be granted by a presidential pardon. Both the conviction and the pardon would appear on the person's record.
How to get a US waiver fast?
Summary: Your Fast-Track Strategy
To optimize your US Waiver processing time: Submit your application through the eSAFE online platform. Ensure your application is complete and clearly presented. Begin preparing your personal statement and recommendation letters while waiting for official documents.
How many pardons did Barack Obama hand out?
Of the acts of clemency, 1,715 were commutations (including 504 life sentences) and 212 were pardons. Most individuals granted executive clemency by Obama had been convicted on drug charges, and had received lengthy and sometimes mandatory sentences at the height of the war on drugs.
Has anyone rejected a pardon?
6, 2021, on his first day back in the Oval Office. Two of those convicted Jan. 6 rioters declined to accept the presidential pardon. Northeastern University law experts say that a presidential pardon can not only be refused, but it may be practical for some recipients to do so.
What are the requirements to be pardoned?
Five Year Waiting Period. Under the Department of Justice's rules governing petitions for executive clemency, there is a minimum waiting period of five years after completion of sentence before anyone convicted of a federal offense becomes eligible to apply for a presidential pardon.
How many people did Bill Clinton pardon?
President Bill Clinton granted pardons or commutations to 459 people during his two terms, with a significant number, around 140, issued in a controversial batch on his final day in office in January 2001, bringing his total to a higher number than recent predecessors.
Did Trump pardon Rudy Giuliani?
In April 2024, he was indicted on charges related to the 2020 election in Arizona. He was later disbarred in the state of New York in July, and in the District of Columbia in September. In November 2025, Trump pardoned Giuliani.
What is better than a pardon?
The choice between expungement and a pardon depends on your goals and circumstances: If you want to completely erase a criminal record, expungement is the better option.
Why did Barack Obama pardon so many people?
President Obama pardoned and commuted many sentences, particularly near the end of his term, to address the harsh, outdated sentencing laws, especially for nonviolent drug offenses, aiming for a fairer, smarter criminal justice system, and to provide second chances to rehabilitated individuals, using clemency as a tool while urging Congress for broader reforms. His actions aimed to correct disparities, reduce prison overcrowding, and encourage states to follow suit with reforms.
What are the four types of pardons?
Pardons can be full or partial, absolute or conditional.
- Full. Unconditionally absolves the person of the conviction and all of the crime's consequences.
- Partial. Only relieves the person from some of the crime's punishment or consequences.
- Absolute. Granted without any conditions.
- Conditional.