Clearing a criminal record in Alabama
In Alabama it is called expungement: if a court grants expungement, records held by the court and other agencies are expunged and the case is treated as never having happened. Some misdemeanor and felony convictions may be cleared.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026. · Free letter and checklist ↓
Can my record be cleared in Alabama?
Expungement — If a court grants expungement, records held by the court and other agencies are expunged and the case is treated as never having happened. Some agencies, such as prosecutors, licensing agencies, utilities and banks, can still learn about or inspect it.
Alabama has 3 ways to clear a record. Each covers different records and has its own waiting period.
Expungement of non-conviction records (Ala. Code 15-27-1(a), 15-27-2(a))
Misdemeanor, violation, traffic, municipal and felony charges that were dismissed, no-billed, nolle prossed, quashed, ended in acquittal, or dismissed after a drug court, diversion or other deferred prosecution program. Also charges committed while you were a victim of human trafficking.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Dismissed with prejudice, no-billed, not guilty, or nolle prossed (any charge) | See the rule You can file once more than 90 days have passed. | The dismissal, no-bill, acquittal or nolle pros |
Indictment quashed | See the rule You can file once the time limit for refiling has run out, or the prosecutor confirms the charge will not be refiled. | The quash order |
Charge dismissed after a drug court, diversion or other deferred prosecution program | 1 year You can file one year after you complete the program. | Successful completion of the program |
Misdemeanor or violation dismissed without prejudice | 1 year You can file if more than one year has passed, the charge was not refiled, and you had no other conviction (except minor traffic) in the last 2 years. | The dismissal |
Felony dismissed without prejudice | 5 years You can file if more than five years have passed, the charge was not refiled, and you had no other conviction (except minor traffic) in the last 5 years. | The dismissal |
- Limits
- The law sets no fixed number: after your first expungement, the judge decides how many more cases may be expunged. The petition form CR-65 asks whether earlier expungements were granted, and you must list them in your sworn statement (15-27-3(a)).
Law: Ala. Code §§ 15-27-1(a), 15-27-2(a), 15-27-3 to 15-27-5; Ala. Code 15-27-1(a)(8), 15-27-2(a)(8); Ala. Code 15-27-5(e)
Source: Official text
Expungement of misdemeanor, violation, traffic and municipal convictions (Ala. Code 15-27-1(b))
Misdemeanor, violation, traffic violation and municipal ordinance convictions, and youthful offender adjudications for those charges (since 2024)
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Misdemeanor, violation, traffic or municipal conviction | 3 years You can file three years after the date of conviction, once probation or parole is complete and all fines, costs and restitution are paid. | Date of conviction |
- Not eligible
- Violent offenses; sex offenses (15-20A-5); crimes involving moral turpitude, except some former felonies reclassified as misdemeanors in 2015 if you had no arrest for 15 years; serious traffic offenses; certain commercial driver offenses if you were driving a commercial vehicle or held a CDL
- Limits
- The law sets no fixed number: after your first expungement, the judge decides how many more cases may be expunged. The petition form CR-65 asks whether earlier expungements were granted, and you must list them in your sworn statement (15-27-3(a)).
Law: Ala. Code § 15-27-1(b); Ala. Code 12-25-32; 17-3-30.1; Ala. Code 15-27-5(e)
Source: Official text
Expungement of a pardoned felony conviction (Ala. Code 15-27-2(c))
Felony convictions for which you received a pardon with restoration of civil and political rights
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Pardoned felony conviction | See the rule You can file 180 days after your certificate of pardon was issued, once all your civil and political rights have been restored. | Date the certificate of pardon was issued |
- Not eligible
- Violent offenses (except some offenses committed while a trafficking victim); sex offenses; crimes involving moral turpitude (with the 2015 reclassification exception); serious traffic offenses; certain commercial driver offenses
- Limits
- The law sets no fixed number: after your first expungement, the judge decides how many more cases may be expunged. The petition form CR-65 asks whether earlier expungements were granted, and you must list them in your sworn statement (15-27-3(a)).
Law: Ala. Code § 15-27-2(c); Ala. Code 15-27-5(e)
Source: Official text
When can I file? Waiting periods in Alabama
Pick your kind of case and the date the waiting period runs from. We add the waiting period from the law; nothing else.
How to file in Alabama
Expungement of non-conviction records (Ala. Code 15-27-1(a), 15-27-2(a))
File a Petition for Expungement of Records in the criminal division of the circuit court in the county where you were charged, one petition per charge, with a sworn statement, a certified case record and a certified criminal record from ALEA. Serve the district attorney, the arresting agency and the court clerk. The DA and victim have 45 days to object; if they object, the court sets a hearing at least 30 days later. The court decides at its discretion.
Source: Form CR-65
- Cost
- $500 administrative filing fee per arrest, plus court costs or docket fees.
- If you can't pay
- You can ask for indigent status with an Affidavit of Substantial Hardship and Order filed with the petition; if granted, the $500 fee is waived.
Law: Ala. Code 15-27-4; Ala. Code 15-27-4(c)
Expungement of misdemeanor, violation, traffic and municipal convictions (Ala. Code 15-27-1(b))
Same process as above: file Form CR-65 in circuit court in the county where you were charged, serve the DA, arresting agency and clerk, and wait 45 days for any objection.
- Cost
- $500 administrative filing fee per arrest, plus court costs or docket fees.
- If you can't pay
- Affidavit of Substantial Hardship and Order.
Law: Ala. Code 15-27-4; Ala. Code 15-27-4(c)
Expungement of a pardoned felony conviction (Ala. Code 15-27-2(c))
First get a pardon from the Board of Pardons and Paroles, then file Form CR-65 in the circuit court of the county where you were charged.
- Cost
- $500 administrative filing fee per arrest, plus court costs or docket fees.
- If you can't pay
- Affidavit of Substantial Hardship and Order.
Law: Ala. Code 15-27-4; Ala. Code 15-27-4(c)
Court self-help
Free help in Alabama
National help
Free letter and checklist
Letter: ask for a copy of your own record
A request to the state records office (Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Criminal Records and Identification Unit) with your name, date of birth and mailing address.
Checklist: what to gather before you file
Case numbers, court papers, proof you finished your sentence, forms and fees for Alabama.
Clearing a record in Alabama by topic
Expungement of non-conviction records (Ala. Code 15-27-1(a), 15-27-2(a)) in Alabama
Which records each remedy covers, who is not eligible and what changes afterwards.
Waiting periods in Alabama
How long you wait for each kind of case, and a date helper.
How to file in Alabama
The steps, the cost, fee waivers, the forms and court self-help.
Juvenile records in Alabama
You can ask the juvenile court to seal your juvenile files 2 years after final discharge from custody or supervision, if you have no later felony or misdemeanor involving sex offenses, drugs, weapons or violence and nothing is pending. A later such conviction cancels the sealing.
Law: Ala. Code 12-15-136
Pardons in Alabama
- Who decides
- Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles
- How
- A pardon can be granted only after you complete at least 3 years of permanent parole, or after your sentence ends if it was shorter than 3 years. Mail or email the Pardon Application and release waiver to the Pardons Unit; the Board investigates and holds a hearing. If denied, you generally must wait 2 years to reapply. A pardon with restoration of rights lets you then petition to expunge an eligible felony.
Law: Ala. Code § 15-22-36; Ala. Code 15-22-36(c)
After your record is cleared in Alabama
After expungement the proceedings are deemed never to have occurred, and you do not have to disclose the record on applications for employment, credit or other applications. You must still disclose it to government regulatory or licensing agencies, utilities, and banks or financial institutions, which may inspect the records. Law enforcement and corrections job applicants must disclose it to the Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission (15-27-18).
Law: Ala. Code 15-27-6(b)
Get your own record in Alabama
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Criminal Records and Identification Unit
Complete ALEA CJIS Form 46, signed before two witnesses or a notary, with a copy of photo ID, your fingerprints taken by a law enforcement agency, and a $25.00 money order or cashier's check. Mail to ALEA Criminal Records and Identification Unit, P.O. Box 1511, Montgomery, AL 36102-1511. You need a certified record to file for expungement.
Source: Application to Review Alabama Criminal History Record
Letter: ask the state records office for a copy of your record
Good to know in Alabama
- Alabama charges a $500 administrative fee per arrest for each expungement petition, which the court waives only if it finds you indigent.
Law: Ala. Code 15-27-4
- There is no right to expungement: the judge may deny any petition in its discretion.
Law: Ala. Code 15-27-5(d)
- Most felony convictions can only be expunged after a pardon with restoration of rights.
Law: Ala. Code 15-27-2(c)
Changes in 2024–2026
Act 2024-407 (SB153) lets people adjudged youthful offenders on misdemeanor, violation, traffic or municipal charges petition to expunge those records. Act 2025-427 (SB88) increased the minimum time before a hearing on an objection from 14 to 30 days and lets the court hold a hearing even if no one objects.
Questions about clearing a record in Alabama
What is clearing a record called in Alabama?
Expungement. If a court grants expungement, records held by the court and other agencies are expunged and the case is treated as never having happened. Some agencies, such as prosecutors, licensing agencies, utilities and banks, can still learn about or inspect it.
Can convictions be cleared in Alabama?
Expungement of non-conviction records: Misdemeanor, violation, traffic, municipal and felony charges that were dismissed, no-billed, nolle prossed, quashed, ended in acquittal, or dismissed after a drug court, diversion or other deferred prosecution program. Also charges committed while you were a victim of human trafficking. Expungement of misdemeanor, violation, traffic and municipal convictions: Misdemeanor, violation, traffic violation and municipal ordinance convictions, and youthful offender adjudications for those charges (since 2024). Expungement of a pardoned felony conviction: Felony convictions for which you received a pardon with restoration of civil and political rights.
How long do I have to wait in Alabama?
Dismissed with prejudice, no-billed, not guilty, or nolle prossed (any charge): You can file once more than 90 days have passed, counted from the dismissal, no-bill, acquittal or nolle pros; Indictment quashed: You can file once the time limit for refiling has run out, or the prosecutor confirms the charge will not be refiled, counted from the quash order; Charge dismissed after a drug court, diversion or other deferred prosecution program: 1 year, counted from successful completion of the program; Misdemeanor or violation dismissed without prejudice: 1 year, counted from the dismissal.
How much does it cost to clear a record in Alabama?
Expungement of non-conviction records: $500 administrative filing fee per arrest, plus court costs or docket fees. Expungement of misdemeanor, violation, traffic and municipal convictions: $500 administrative filing fee per arrest, plus court costs or docket fees. Expungement of a pardoned felony conviction: $500 administrative filing fee per arrest, plus court costs or docket fees.
Can juvenile records be cleared in Alabama?
You can ask the juvenile court to seal your juvenile files 2 years after final discharge from custody or supervision, if you have no later felony or misdemeanor involving sex offenses, drugs, weapons or violence and nothing is pending. A later such conviction cancels the sealing.
What can I say after my record is cleared in Alabama?
After expungement the proceedings are deemed never to have occurred, and you do not have to disclose the record on applications for employment, credit or other applications. You must still disclose it to government regulatory or licensing agencies, utilities, and banks or financial institutions, which may inspect the records. Law enforcement and corrections job applicants must disclose it to the Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission (15-27-18).
How do I get a copy of my criminal record in Alabama?
Complete ALEA CJIS Form 46, signed before two witnesses or a notary, with a copy of photo ID, your fingerprints taken by a law enforcement agency, and a $25.00 money order or cashier's check. Mail to ALEA Criminal Records and Identification Unit, P.O. Box 1511, Montgomery, AL 36102-1511. You need a certified record to file for expungement.