How long you wait to clear a record in Arizona
The Arizona waiting periods case by case, with a helper that adds the wait to your date.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.
Short answer
In Arizona you wait a set time before you can ask. The time depends on the case.
- Main remedy
- Record sealing (A.R.S. 13-911)
- Waiting periods
- 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 (A.R.S. 13-909): No waiting period, counted from the order vacating the conviction
When can I file in Arizona?
Pick your kind of case and the date the waiting period runs from. We add the waiting period from the law; nothing else.
Waiting periods: Record sealing (A.R.S. 13-911)
Arrests with no charges filed, dismissed charges, not-guilty verdicts, and misdemeanor and felony convictions
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Arrest with no charges, dismissal, or acquittal | No waiting period You can file once the case is over. | End of the case |
Petty offense conviction | No waiting period You can file right away once you finish your sentence and pay what you owe (added by a 2026 law). | Completion of the sentence |
Conviction vacated because you were a sex trafficking victim (A.R.S. 13-909) | No waiting period You can file right away (added by a 2026 law). | The order vacating the conviction |
Class 2 or 3 misdemeanor conviction | 2 years You can file 2 years after you finish probation or your sentence and are discharged. | Completion of the non-money terms of probation or sentence and discharge by the court |
Class 1 misdemeanor conviction | 3 years You can file 3 years after you finish probation or your sentence and are discharged. | Completion of the non-money terms of probation or sentence and discharge by the court |
Class 4, 5 or 6 felony conviction | 5 years You can file 5 years after you finish probation or your sentence and are discharged. | Completion of the non-money terms of probation or sentence and discharge by the court |
Class 2 or 3 felony conviction | 10 years You can file 10 years after you finish probation or your sentence and are discharged. | Completion of the non-money terms of probation or sentence and discharge by the court |
New felony after an earlier sealing | 5 years If you commit a felony after a record was sealed, you can seal the new felony only after its normal waiting period plus 5 more years. | End of the normal waiting period for the new felony |
- Not eligible
- 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
- Limits
- You must have paid all fines, fees and restitution before filing. If the court denies your petition, you must wait 3 years to file again. There is no rule that you must have no other convictions: a 2024 law removed it, even though some court info sheets still mention it.
Law: A.R.S. § 13-911
Source: Official text
Waiting periods: Set aside of judgment of guilt and Certificate of Second Chance (A.R.S. 13-905)
Misdemeanor and felony convictions
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Set aside, any eligible conviction | No waiting period You can apply once you have finished probation or your sentence and been discharged. | Completion of probation or sentence and discharge by the court |
Certificate of second chance, misdemeanor | No waiting period The court includes the certificate when it sets aside a misdemeanor. | Set aside |
Certificate of second chance, class 4, 5 or 6 felony | 2 years Available if at least 2 years have passed since you finished probation or your sentence. | Completion of probation or sentence |
Certificate of second chance, class 2 or 3 felony | 5 years Available if at least 5 years have passed since you finished probation or your sentence. | Completion of probation or sentence |
- Not eligible
- Dangerous offenses; offenses requiring sex offender registration; offenses with a finding of sexual motivation; felonies where the victim was under 15
- Limits
- Only one certificate of second chance for a felony set aside.
Law: A.R.S. § 13-905
Source: Official text
Waiting periods: Marijuana expungement (A.R.S. 36-2862, Proposition 207)
Arrests, charges, convictions and juvenile adjudications for possessing up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana, up to six plants at home for personal use, or related paraphernalia, for conduct before November 30, 2020
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Eligible marijuana offense | No waiting period You can file at any time; petitions have been accepted since July 12, 2021. | July 12, 2021 |
- Not eligible
- Offenses above these amounts and other charges in the same case (for example a DUI) are not expunged
Law: A.R.S. § 36-2862
Source: Official text
In nearby states
- New Mexico: Municipal ordinance violation or misdemeanor: 2 years, counted from the last date you completed a sentence for any conviction in any jurisdiction
- Utah: Arrest or charge, no conviction: At least 30 days must pass after the arrest or charge, and the case must have ended with no charges, a dismissal with prejudice, an acquittal, or an expired statute of limitations, counted from arrest or charge
- Nevada: Misdemeanor (most): 1 year, counted from release from actual custody or end of a suspended sentence, whichever is later
Steps after the wait in Arizona
Check your dates
The dates on your papers decide when the wait ends.
Read the full rule
Exclusions and new offenses can matter more than the wait.
Prepare your petition
Once enough time has passed, see how to file. How to file.
Get help
Legal aid can help for free: AZLawHelp.org (Arizona Bar Foundation) - apply for free or low-cost legal help and AZCourtHelp.org (forms, court locations, live chat).
Free legal help in Arizona
Questions about waiting periods in Arizona
Which records can be cleared in Arizona?
Record sealing: Arrests with no charges filed, dismissed charges, not-guilty verdicts, and misdemeanor and felony convictions. Set aside of judgment of guilt and Certificate of Second Chance: Misdemeanor and felony convictions. Marijuana expungement: Arrests, charges, convictions and juvenile adjudications for possessing up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana, up to six plants at home for personal use, or related paraphernalia, for conduct before November 30, 2020.
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.
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).