How to file to clear a record in Arizona

The steps, cost, fee waiver and forms to clear a record in Arizona.

Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.

Short answer

File the Petition to Seal Criminal Case Records in the court where you were convicted (or where the charges were filed, or where you had your first appearance; if none, the superior court in the county of arrest).

Main remedy
Record sealing (A.R.S. 13-911)
Cost
The law sets no state court filing fee for the petition. The Department of Public Safety may charge a fee set by its director for the background report and, if you win, for correcting your record, unless you are indigent or your case was dismissed, not filed or ended in a not-guilty verdict.
Forms
7

How to file in Arizona

Record sealing (A.R.S. 13-911)

File the Petition to Seal Criminal Case Records in the court where you were convicted (or where the charges were filed, or where you had your first appearance; if none, the superior court in the county of arrest). The prosecutor and victims are notified; the court waits at least 60 days (unless the prosecutor and victims say they do not object) and may rule without a hearing unless someone asks for one. File in each court where you have a case.

Cost
The law sets no state court filing fee for the petition. The Department of Public Safety may charge a fee set by its director for the background report and, if you win, for correcting your record, unless you are indigent or your case was dismissed, not filed or ended in a not-guilty verdict. Ask your court clerk whether a local fee applies.
If you can't pay
DPS fees do not apply if you are indigent. For court fees, see the courts' Fee Waiver and Deferral forms.

Law: A.R.S. 13-911(H), (I)(3)

Set aside of judgment of guilt and Certificate of Second Chance (A.R.S. 13-905)

Apply to the court that sentenced you (you, your lawyer or your probation officer can apply). The prosecutor or victim has 30 days to object, and the court may set a hearing. The court looks at the offense, your compliance, other convictions, victim input, time passed and your age.

Cost
No filing fee: the clerk may not charge a filing fee for an application to set aside.

Law: A.R.S. 13-905(B)

Marijuana expungement (A.R.S. 36-2862, Proposition 207)

File the petition in the court that handled the case (municipal/justice, superior, or juvenile court form). The prosecutor has 30 days to respond. The court must grant it unless the prosecutor proves by clear and convincing evidence that you are not eligible. A prosecutor or the Attorney General may also file for you.

Court self-help

Checklist: what to gather before you file

What you can say afterwards

After sealing, you may say you were never arrested, charged or convicted for that crime, including on job, housing, financial aid and loan applications, with exceptions: fingerprint clearance card applications; jobs with police, prosecutors, courts, probation, child welfare or corrections; certain jobs related to the type of offense (for example driving jobs after a DUI, money-handling jobs after fraud, in-home service jobs after burglary or theft, child or elder care jobs after abuse); background checks for placing a foster child with you; Medicare/Medicaid program rules; and when state or federal law requires disclosure. A sealed or set-aside conviction can still be used as a prior conviction if you are charged again. A set aside restores gun rights except for serious offenses.

Law: A.R.S. 13-911(I)(5); A.R.S. 13-905(O)

Who cannot use these remedies in Arizona

  • Record sealing (A.R.S. 13-911): Dangerous offenses; dangerous crimes against children; serious offenses and violent or aggravated felonies; offenses involving use or threatening display of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, or knowingly causing serious physical injury; sex trafficking; class 2-5 felony sex offenses
  • Set aside of judgment of guilt and Certificate of Second Chance (A.R.S. 13-905): Dangerous offenses; offenses requiring sex offender registration; offenses with a finding of sexual motivation; felonies where the victim was under 15
  • Marijuana expungement (A.R.S. 36-2862, Proposition 207): Offenses above these amounts and other charges in the same case (for example a DUI) are not expunged

Law: A.R.S. § 13-911; A.R.S. § 13-905; A.R.S. § 36-2862

Get your own record in Arizona

Arizona Department of Public Safety, Central State Repository · (602) 223-2000

Complete a Record Review Packet from the DPS website or by calling, get fingerprinted at a law enforcement agency, and mail it in. DPS mails a copy of your record within 15 days of receiving the packet. DPS does not run background checks for private citizens for jobs, visas or immigration.

Source: instructions, fingerprint card and contact sheet

Letter: ask the state records office for a copy of your record

In nearby states

  • New Mexico: District court civil filing fee; e.g. $132 in the Second Judicial District Court, Bernalillo County (court instructions, rev.
  • Utah: BCI application fee $65 (non-refundable). No BCI certificate issuance fee for dismissals, acquittals or declined cases (except dismissals after a plea in abeyance or diversion).
  • Nevada: Court filing fees vary by court: e.g. $74 in Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas Justice Courts, $270 in the Eighth Judicial District Court; $71 in Sparks Justice Court (Washoe County).

Steps to file in Arizona

  1. Get your papers ready

    You need your case numbers, court papers and proof you finished your sentence. Checklist: what to gather before you file.

  3. File with the clerk

    After you file, the prosecutor may respond and the court decides.

Free legal help in Arizona

Questions about filing in Arizona

How long do I have to wait in Arizona?

Arrest with no charges, dismissal, or acquittal: No waiting period, counted from end of the case; Petty offense conviction: No waiting period, counted from completion of the sentence; Conviction vacated because you were a sex trafficking victim: No waiting period, counted from the order vacating the conviction; Class 2 or 3 misdemeanor conviction: 2 years, counted from completion of the non-money terms of probation or sentence and discharge by the court.

Is there a fee to clear a record in Arizona?

Record sealing: The law sets no state court filing fee for the petition. The Department of Public Safety may charge a fee set by its director for the background report and, if you win, for correcting your record, unless you are indigent or your case was dismissed, not filed or ended in a not-guilty verdict. Ask your court clerk whether a local fee applies. Set aside of judgment of guilt and Certificate of Second Chance: No filing fee: the clerk may not charge a filing fee for an application to set aside.

How can I see my Arizona record?

Complete a Record Review Packet from the DPS website or by calling, get fingerprinted at a law enforcement agency, and mail it in. DPS mails a copy of your record within 15 days of receiving the packet. DPS does not run background checks for private citizens for jobs, visas or immigration.

Who helps for free in Arizona?

AZLawHelp.org (Arizona Bar Foundation) - apply for free or low-cost legal help and AZCourtHelp.org (forms, court locations, live chat).

Related Arizona pages