How much does it cost to have your record expunged in Ohio?
Asked by: Dr. Ahmed Baumbach | Last update: May 7, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (71 votes)
EXPUNGEMENT APPLICATION INFORMATION A non-refundable $50 filing fee is to be paid at the Criminal Clerk's office at the time of application for expungement of a Conviction. No filing fee is required for Acquittals or Dismissals.
Do I need a lawyer to expunge my record in Ohio?
You must apply for records to be sealed/expunged, and the judge must hold a hearing. Even if your case is eligible, the judge does not have to grant the request for sealing and/or expungement. Accordingly, you may want representation by an attorney who has experience with record sealing/expungement.
How much does an expungement cost in Ohio?
How much does it cost to seal or expunge a case? There is no fee for non-convictions. There is a $50 non-refundable fee for convictions. Under the Revised Code, an applicant may request to have the records of more than one case in a single application.
How can I get my record expunged for free in Ohio?
- Record Sealing or Expungement. ...
- Safe Harbor Expungement for survivors of human trafficking. ...
- A Certificate of Qualification for Employment (CQE). ...
- Ohio Governor's Expedited Pardon Project (OGEPP). ...
- Housing-Related Legal Needs.
How long does it take to get your record expunged in Ohio?
From start to finish, the expungement process usually takes 6-8 months. Instructions: Step One: Fill out the attached forms. Step Two: Return these forms to the Public Defender's Office in person, by mail or email pdgeneral@cuyahogacounty.us.
📝HOW TO EXPUNGE FELONY CRIMINAL RECORD || 5 Steps
Will my expunged record show up on a background check in Ohio?
In most cases, sealed/expunged records will not appear on background checks. This means it may be easier for you to apply for a job, professional license, get housing, apply to college or apply for credit. But there are exceptions when sealed records may be accessed by some employers or agencies.
What's the difference between getting your record sealed and expunged?
Summary: Record sealing is only available for an adult arrest that did not result in a conviction, or most juvenile criminal records. Criminal record expungement is the only relief available if a conviction occurred, as an adult criminal conviction can never be sealed in California.
What records Cannot be expunged and sealed in Ohio?
- Any first- or second-degree felony,
- Any violent crime,
- DUI/OVI,
- Sexual battery,
- Rape,
- Sexual imposition,
- Gross sexual imposition,
- Domestic Violence,
Can local police see expunged records?
Courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, and other criminal justice agencies can access expunged records for future criminal investigations and charging and sentencing decisions.
What is the new expungement law in Ohio?
As of October 2023, Ohio law was expanded to allow for non-convictions (not guilty, dismissals, no bills) to be sealed AND expunged. Previously, only sealing was available.
What is the clean slate law in Ohio?
It is a legal process provided under Section 2953 of the Ohio Revised Code that allows one to have any and all references to a prior criminal conviction cleared and their court file sealed. The result of this process is as if you were never convicted of the crime.
What agencies can see expunged records?
- 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)
How many things can you get expunged in Ohio?
How Many Misdemeanors Can Be Expunged in Ohio? Depending on a person's past convictions, they may be eligible for EITHER an unlimited number of misdemeanor convictions expunged; OR only two misdemeanor convictions expunged.
How many times can you have your record expunged?
As a general rule, you can have two convictions expunged (one felony and one misdemeanor or two misdemeanors). Minor misdemeanors don't count when counting your convictions (charges that didn't carry any jail time). There are some limited situations where you can have more than two convictions expunged.
Does expungement restore gun rights in Ohio?
Some types of convictions in Ohio, like felony drug convictions, can lead to your firearm rights being restricted. One way to demonstrate to the court that you have returned to a law-abiding life is to have prior convictions sealed or expunged.
How much does it cost to expunge a criminal record in Ohio?
EXPUNGEMENT APPLICATION INFORMATION
A non-refundable $50 filing fee is to be paid at the Criminal Clerk's office at the time of application for expungement of a Conviction. No filing fee is required for Acquittals or Dismissals.
Will an expunged record show up on a federal background check?
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.
How to find out if your criminal record has been expunged?
You can contact the court that issued the expungement order to determine if your records have been successfully expunged or sealed.
What is the 7 year rule in Ohio?
The FCRA contains a seven-year lookback provision that prohibits CRAs from reporting certain information that is seven or more years old. CRAs are not allowed to report arrests not resulting in convictions, liens, collections, civil judgments, or bankruptcies that are at least seven years old.
What crimes cannot be pardoned in Ohio?
To be eligible to apply for an expedited pardon, you must have: No new felony and misdemeanor criminal convictions in the last ten years. No convictions for prohibited offenses including murder, attempted murder, rape, kidnapping, and domestic violence. Read the full list of prohibited offenses here.
What is the difference between expungement and sealing in Ohio?
Generally, sealing a criminal record means concealing it from the public, but it can be re-opened through a court order. Expungement means total removal or destruction of the file. However, the Ohio Revised Code only makes provision for sealing of records.
What convictions Cannot be expunged in Ohio?
The three convictions that are part of a lifelong record include rape, murder, and aggravated murder. In addition, if you were convicted of a crime for which you were required to serve mandatory jail time, regardless of the crime, this conviction cannot be expunged.
Can the USPS see expunged records?
In instances where a criminal conviction is set aside, vacated, or annulled, expunged, or sealed pursuant to state or court order, the conviction may not serve as a basis for the disqualification of the applicant. Further, no inquiry may be made, either oral or written, directly or indirectly, into that conviction.
What is the second chance law in Ohio?
The Second Chance Act of 2007 aims to reduce recidivism, rebuild ties between defendants/persons under supervision and their families, support evidence-based practices, protect the public, and assist in establishing a self-sustaining life.
Do felonies go away after 10 years?
In California, a felony conviction stays on your record forever if you do not get it expunged. You may be eligible for an expungement if you did not serve time in state prison. You can face serious obstacles until you get the conviction removed from your criminal history.