Expungement of non-conviction records (Ala. Code 15-27-1(a), 15-27-2(a)) in Alabama: which records can be cleared
Which records Alabama lets you clear, who is not eligible and what changes after the court says yes.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.
Short answer
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.
- Main remedy
- Expungement of non-conviction records (Ala. Code 15-27-1(a), 15-27-2(a))
- What it covers
- 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.
- Ways to clear a record
- 3
Which records can 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
What changes afterwards
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)
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)
In nearby states
- Mississippi: Expunction (expungement)
- Georgia: Record restriction and sealing (often called expungement)
- Tennessee: Expunction (expungement)
- Louisiana: Expungement
Your next steps in Alabama
See what is on your record
Find out exactly what your record shows: every arrest, charge and outcome. ALEA: Criminal Record Expungement and Alabama Unified Judicial System eForms: Petition for Expungement (CR-65).
See if enough time has passed
Waiting periods differ by case and remedy. Waiting periods.
Ask the court
You file the request in the court that handled the case. How to file.
Get help
Free help: Legal Services Alabama.
Where to get free help in Alabama
Questions about clearing a record in Alabama
What is the legal term 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 I clear a conviction 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.
What happens to 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.
Who can still see a cleared record 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).