How to file to clear a record in Arkansas

Where and how you file in Arkansas, the fee and the official forms.

Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.

Short answer

Fill out the ACIC Petition and Order to Seal Misdemeanors and file them with the court where you were sentenced. Serve the prosecutor within 3 days; the prosecutor has 30 days to oppose.

Main remedy
Sealing of misdemeanor and violation convictions (Ark. Code 16-90-1405)
Cost
No filing fee: the clerk may not collect a fee for filing a uniform petition to seal.
Forms
9

Where and how to file in Arkansas

Sealing of misdemeanor and violation convictions (Ark. Code 16-90-1405)

Fill out the ACIC Petition and Order to Seal Misdemeanors and file them with the court where you were sentenced. Serve the prosecutor within 3 days; the prosecutor has 30 days to oppose. The court must seal unless there is clear and convincing evidence it should not.

Cost
No filing fee: the clerk may not collect a fee for filing a uniform petition to seal.

Law: Ark. Code 16-90-1419, as amended by Act 680 of 2019

Sealing of felony convictions (Ark. Code 16-90-1406)

Fill out the ACIC Petition and Order to Seal Felony and file them, notarized, in the circuit court where you were sentenced, and serve the prosecutor within 3 days. The prosecutor has 30 days to oppose; if so, the court may hold a hearing. The court may grant it if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that sealing furthers the interests of justice.

Cost
No filing fee for a uniform petition to seal.

Law: Ark. Code 16-90-1419

Sealing of arrests, dismissals, nolle prosequi and acquittals (Ark. Code 16-90-1409, 16-90-1410)

File the ACIC petition and order in the court where the case was dismissed (or, for an arrest, in the county of arrest). The court must grant it unless the state shows it would put the public at risk or not further the interests of justice.

Cost
No filing fee for a uniform petition to seal.

Law: Ark. Code 16-90-1419

Sealing after a governor's pardon (Ark. Code 16-90-1411)

Use the ACIC Petition and Order to Seal Records of a Pardoned Offender if the record was not sealed automatically.

Cost
No filing fee for a uniform petition to seal.

Law: Ark. Code 16-90-1419

Dismissal and sealing after a specialty court program (Ark. Code 16-90-1601 to 16-90-1603, Act 691 of 2025)

Ask your specialty court team or judge. The judge decides after a recommendation from the prosecutor and a review of your criminal history; sealing follows the usual ACIC uniform order.

Cost
No filing fee for a uniform petition to seal.

Law: Ark. Code 16-90-1419

Court self-help

Checklist: what to gather before you file

Who cannot use these remedies in Arkansas

  • Sealing of misdemeanor and violation convictions (Ark. Code 16-90-1405): Traffic offenses (other than parking, weight or vehicle defect) committed in a motor vehicle while you held a commercial driver license or learner's permit
  • Sealing of felony convictions (Ark. Code 16-90-1406): Class Y felonies; Class A or B felonies (except drug felonies); manslaughter; unclassified felonies with a maximum over 10 years; felony sex offenses; felonies involving violence listed in Ark. Code 5-4-501(d)(2); felony traffic offenses committed while holding a commercial driver license or learner's permit
  • Sealing of arrests, dismissals, nolle prosequi and acquittals (Ark. Code 16-90-1409, 16-90-1410): Acquittals by reason of mental disease or defect
  • Sealing after a governor's pardon (Ark. Code 16-90-1411): Pardons for offenses against a victim under 18, sex offenses, or offenses causing death or serious physical injury

Law: Ark. Code Ann. §§ 16-90-1405, 16-90-1413, 16-90-1415(a), 16-90-1419; Ark. Code Ann. §§ 16-90-1406, 16-90-1407, 16-90-1408, 16-90-1415(b); Ark. Code Ann. §§ 16-90-1409, 16-90-1410, 16-90-1415(d); Ark. Code Ann. § 16-90-1411

What changes afterwards

After the order to seal, your underlying conduct is deemed never to have occurred, and you may state that it did not occur and that a sealed record does not exist. Sealed records can still be released to you, to criminal justice agencies for jobs with them, to courts after a later conviction, to prosecutors and to ACIC (16-90-1416), and a sealed conviction can still be used in later criminal cases, for habitual offender status and for impeachment.

Law: Ark. Code 16-90-1417(b)(1)

Get your own record in Arkansas

Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC), Arkansas Department of Public Safety

Pay the $22 non-refundable search fee online by card, then complete and submit the Authorization for Review of Criminal History Information form. ACIC does not do background checks for employers (Arkansas State Police does).

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

In nearby states

  • Mississippi: $150 filing fee for each petition under § 99-19-71, collected by the circuit clerk; the statute sets no separate fee for § 99-15-59 applications.
  • Missouri: No special expungement surcharge since August 28, 2023.
  • Louisiana: Up to $550 in total: State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification $250, sheriff $50, district attorney $50, clerk up to $200.

Steps to file in Arkansas

  1. Gather your papers

    Collect your case numbers, final court papers and proof of payment. Checklist: what to gather before you file.

  3. File and serve

    The clerk takes the petition; the court may set a hearing.

  4. Talk to legal aid

    Legal aid can help for free: Legal Aid of Arkansas (Arkansas Law Help) and Arkansas Legal Services Partnership.

Free legal help in Arkansas

Questions about filing in Arkansas

When can I ask to clear my record in Arkansas?

Most misdemeanors and violations: No waiting period, counted from completion of sentence, including restitution, court costs and any driver's license reinstatement fees; Class A negligent homicide, battery 3rd degree, indecent exposure, public sexual indecency, sexual assault 4th degree, domestic battering 3rd degree: 5 years, counted from completion of sentence; Misdemeanor DWI or BWI (5-65-103): 10 years, counted from your first DWI/BWI conviction; Nonviolent Class C or D felony, unclassified felony, Class A/B drug felony, nonviolent felony committed under 18: No waiting period, counted from completion of sentence.

What is the filing fee in Arkansas?

Sealing of misdemeanor and violation convictions: No filing fee: the clerk may not collect a fee for filing a uniform petition to seal. Sealing of felony convictions: No filing fee for a uniform petition to seal. Sealing of arrests, dismissals, nolle prosequi and acquittals: No filing fee for a uniform petition to seal. Sealing after a governor's pardon: No filing fee for a uniform petition to seal. Dismissal and sealing after a specialty court program: No filing fee for a uniform petition to seal.

Where do I get my own record in Arkansas?

Pay the $22 non-refundable search fee online by card, then complete and submit the Authorization for Review of Criminal History Information form. ACIC does not do background checks for employers (Arkansas State Police does).

Is there free help to clear a record in Arkansas?

Legal Aid of Arkansas (Arkansas Law Help) and Arkansas Legal Services Partnership.

Related Arkansas pages