How Do I Seal or Expunge My Criminal Record in Florida?

What Sealing or Expunging Means in Florida

Sealing hides a record from public view. Expunging destroys most of the record. Florida allows either only once in a lifetime, and only for certain charges — not for every case.

Who Can Apply

Generally, you can only seal or expunge a charge if you were never adjudicated guilty of it. That means:

The court withheld adjudication of guilt, or
The charge was dismissed, or
Charges were never filed

If you were convicted — adjudicated guilty — that charge generally cannot be sealed or expunged in Florida. Some dismissed charges are now sealed automatically. FDLE's Seal and Expunge page can confirm your specific situation.

How the Process Works

Florida law covers sealing under Fla. Stat. 943.059 and expunction under Fla. Stat. 943.0585. Before either can happen, you need a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Start at FDLE's Seal and Expunge page for the application and current requirements.

What This Guide Cannot Tell You

This page cannot predict whether your specific charge qualifies. Only FDLE, the court, or a lawyer can confirm eligibility for your case. Get legal help if you are unsure — this is not legal advice.

Where to Get Help

FDLE Seal and Expunge — application, Certificate of Eligibility, current rules
floridalawhelp.org — free legal aid

What to Do Next

The free Reentry Roadmap FL tool reads your own record details — the charge, the outcome, the county — and gives you a plain-language next step based on official sources. It does not store anything you enter, and it is not legal advice. Confirm your specific eligibility with FDLE or a lawyer before applying.

The full version — $49

Program plan · Your organization's name on the page, unlimited 90-day checklists, monthly

Use the free tool

Reentry Roadmap FL explains Florida's reentry steps in plain language using official sources; it can be wrong, and it is not legal advice. It never predicts what a court, board, agency or housing authority will decide. Confirm voting eligibility before registering. Free legal aid: floridalawhelp.org. Crisis: 988. Nothing you enter is stored.