How much does it cost to get your record expunged in Utah?
Asked by: Ariel Gerlach | Last update: April 8, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (6 votes)
In Utah, expunging your record involves several fees, primarily a $65 BCI application fee for the Certificate of Eligibility, plus a $135 court petition fee, with extra $65 fees for each conviction expunged, totaling potentially a few hundred dollars or more depending on how many records you're clearing, though you can apply to waive court fees if you can't afford them.
Is expunging your record worth it?
Yes, for most eligible individuals, expungement is generally considered worth the effort as it removes barriers to employment, housing, education, and financial stability, offering a fresh start and reduced stigma, though it has limitations and eligibility depends on state laws and crime type. The benefits of greater opportunity and peace of mind often outweigh the costs and time involved in the process, but it doesn't erase records from all government databases or guarantee clearance for certain high-level professions.
How long do you have to wait to get your record expunged in Utah?
To be eligible for a petition-based expungement, one of the following must be true: 180 days have passed since the case was dismissed. You have received written consent from the prosecuting attorney to expunge the record.
What cannot be expunged in Utah?
Exclusions: While Utah law allows most types of records to be expunged, due to their nature, certain types of records cannot be expunged under Utah law. These include capital felonies, certain violent felonies, felony automobile homicide, registrable sex offenses, and registrable child abuse offenses.
Is it better to seal or expunge?
It's generally better to get a record expunged if you qualify, as it erases the record, making it as if it never happened and completely removing it from most background checks. Sealing a record hides it from public view, but law enforcement and some government agencies can still access it with a court order, making expungement the superior, though often harder to get, option for a truly clean slate.
What are the fees for expunging my Utah criminal records?
Is it better to get your record expunged or sealed?
It's generally better to get a record expunged if you qualify, as it erases the record, making it as if it never happened and completely removing it from most background checks. Sealing a record hides it from public view, but law enforcement and some government agencies can still access it with a court order, making expungement the superior, though often harder to get, option for a truly clean slate.
Does an expunged record ever go away?
In most cases, your criminal records are sealed when you get an expungement. However, the government still maintains evidence of your conviction. If you are applying for government jobs the conviction will still likely show up in a criminal background check.
How much does it cost to get an expungement in Utah?
After receiving the Certificate for Expungement Eligibility, you can obtain an expungement packet at the Justice Court or online at utcourts.gov. There is a $135 fee for a petition to expunge records with a certificate of eligibility.
How far back does a background check go in Utah?
Employers that choose to work with a background check partner, like Checkr, are also required to comply with the federal FCRA's allowable reporting periods. Under this act, bankruptcies have a ten year lookback period, but other civil matters can only go back seven years.
What crimes are not eligible for expungement?
Crimes that generally cannot be expunged include serious violent offenses (murder, rape, assault), sex offenses (especially against minors, requiring registration), human trafficking, terrorism, DUI/DWI, domestic violence, and certain federal crimes, though specific exclusions vary significantly by state and often involve felonies or crimes involving serious bodily harm or vulnerable victims.
What is the hardest background check to pass?
The hardest background checks are typically US government security clearances (especially Top Secret/SCI) and those for high-level law enforcement, involving deep dives into criminal, financial (credit), employment, and personal history (interviews with associates) via extensive forms like the SF-86, far exceeding standard employment screening. These checks scrutinize all life aspects for integrity, reliability, and potential security risks, often requiring disclosure of past drug use, financial issues, and undisclosed criminal records, making them incredibly difficult to pass if issues exist.
What is the clean slate law in Utah?
In 2019, Utah enacted one of the nation's first “clean slate” laws, providing for automatic expungement of a variety of non-conviction, infraction, and minor misdemeanor criminal records. HB 431.
What shows up on a Utah background check?
Criminal History: A criminal history check includes arrests, charges, misdemeanors, felonies, and convictions on file with the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI). It won't include sealed or expunged records, but if someone forgot to mention that felony conviction from 2018, it will surface here.
Can the FBI see my expunged record?
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 makes a person fail a background check?
You fail a background check due to red flags like criminal history, lying on your application (education, job history), a failed drug test, a poor driving record, or issues like bad credit for finance roles, all of which signal a potential mismatch with the job's requirements or company standards. Other common reasons include unverifiable credentials, negative references, or even inconsistent personal identification details.
What are red flags on a background check?
Red flags on a background check are discrepancies or concerning findings like criminal records (especially violent, financial, or drug-related), significant inconsistencies in employment/education history, poor credit history (for finance roles), negative references, failed drug tests, or unprofessional social media activity, all raising concerns about a candidate's integrity, judgment, or suitability for a role.
Can you see if anyone has a criminal record?
Yes, you can often find someone's criminal record through public court records, state repositories, or specialized online services, though access varies by state and record type, with federal records sometimes requiring specific FBI requests, and generally requiring effort, potential fees, and sometimes specific details like full name and date of birth for thorough searches.
How long does the expungement process take in Utah?
Having a case expunged in Utah can take as long as six to twelve months, and there are some costs involved in the process. It is, therefore, worth determining whether you are eligible for expungement before you start the application process.
How fast can a record be expunged?
Generally speaking, you can count on your expungement taking in the neighborhood of 90 to 120 days, but certain courts or older cases can take longer. Several factors impact the length of time an expungement takes to go through the court system.
Is expungement the same as sealing a record?
In the State of California, a true expungement does not exist. However, many people are eligible to have negative court records sealed from public view after a certain amount of time or after specific criteria are met.
Can judges see expunged records?
Importantly, an expunged charge is invisible to jurors, the general public, and anyone outside the justice system. Even within the justice system, any access by a judge or DA is for “eyes only” and legal evaluation – the record remains sealed in court archives, not public view.
Is my life ruined if I get a misdemeanor?
A misdemeanor won't necessarily ruin your life, but it can have significant, long-lasting impacts on employment, housing, education, and professional licensing, though these effects often lessen over time and can sometimes be expunged or sealed. While it's not as severe as a felony, a conviction creates a criminal record that can show up on background checks, making it harder to get certain jobs or loans, but many employers overlook misdemeanors, especially after several years or if the conviction is expunged.
What criminal records can not be expunged?
Several types of offenses are automatically excluded from expungement eligibility in California:
- Serious Sex Crimes Involving Minors. ...
- Felonies That Resulted in Prison Time (Not Jail) ...
- Crimes Related to Public Corruption. ...
- Crimes Not Eligible Due to a Violation of Probation or Parole.
Does expunged mean erased?
“Expungement” means the court orders law enforcement and all relevant court personnel to remove information about the expunged conviction or arrest from your record.
What employers can see a sealed record?
While most jobs cannot ask about or consider sealed or expunged records, there are a few exceptions—especially when federal or licensing rules apply. You may still need to disclose past records for the following types of jobs: Law enforcement or corrections. Positions requiring federal security clearance.