Clearing a criminal record in Indiana
In Indiana it is called expungement (sealing) and "marked as expunged": expungement of arrests, misdemeanors and most Level 6 / Class D felonies seals the records from the public. Some misdemeanor and felony convictions may be cleared, and Indiana also clears some records automatically.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026. · Free letter and checklist ↓
Can my record be cleared in Indiana?
Expungement (sealing) and "marked as expunged" — In Indiana, expungement of arrests, misdemeanors and most Level 6 / Class D felonies seals the records from the public; they are not destroyed. For more serious felonies the records stay public but are marked as expunged, and either way your rights are restored and most employers may not hold the record against you.
Indiana has 6 ways to clear a record. Each covers different records and has its own waiting period.
Expungement of arrest records (IC 35-38-9-1)
Arrests, charges and juvenile allegations that did not lead to a conviction (including cases that ended only in an infraction), and convictions that were vacated.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Arrest, charge dismissed or acquitted (petition) | 1 year You can petition 1 year after the arrest or charge, or sooner if the prosecutor agrees in writing. | The date of arrest, charge or juvenile allegation, whichever is later |
Arrest after June 30, 2022, no charges pending | 1 year If 1 year has passed and no charges are pending, the judge must order the arrest records expunged on your petition. | The date of arrest |
- Not eligible
- You cannot use this while you are in a pretrial diversion program unless the prosecutor allows it, or while charges are pending.
- Limits
- No limit; you can expunge non-conviction records as many times as needed.
Law: IC 35-38-9-1
Source: Official text
Expungement of misdemeanor convictions (IC 35-38-9-2)
Misdemeanor convictions, including Class D or Level 6 felonies that were reduced to misdemeanors.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Misdemeanor conviction | 5 years You can file 5 years after the conviction (sooner if the prosecutor agrees in writing), if you have had no new conviction in the last 5 years. | The date of conviction |
- Not eligible
- Sex or violent offenders; people with two or more unrelated felonies involving unlawful use of a deadly weapon.
- Limits
- You can petition to expunge convictions only once in your lifetime. Include every conviction you want expunged; petitions in different counties count as one if filed within 365 days.
Law: IC 35-38-9-2, -6, -8, -9
Source: Official text
Expungement of Class D / Level 6 felony convictions (IC 35-38-9-3)
Class D felonies (crimes before July 1, 2014) and Level 6 felonies (after June 30, 2014).
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Class D / Level 6 felony conviction | 8 years You can file 8 years after the conviction (sooner if the prosecutor agrees in writing), if you have had no new conviction in the last 8 years. | The date of conviction |
- Not eligible
- Sex or violent offenders; felonies that caused bodily injury; perjury; official misconduct; homicide offenses, human trafficking and sex crimes; officials convicted while in office; two or more unrelated deadly-weapon felonies.
- Limits
- One conviction-expungement petition per lifetime (see misdemeanor rule).
Law: IC 35-38-9-3, -6; IC 35-42-1; IC 35-42-3.5; IC 35-42-4
Source: Official text
Marked as expunged: other felonies (IC 35-38-9-4)
Felonies that do not qualify under section 3 (for example, older Class A, B, C felonies and Level 1-5 felonies) that did not cause serious bodily injury or death.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Felony not eligible under section 3 | 8 years You can file 8 years after the conviction or 3 years after your sentence ends, whichever is later, if you have had no new conviction in the last 8 years. | The date of conviction, or 3 years after you complete the sentence, whichever is later |
- Not eligible
- Sex or violent offenders; felonies causing serious bodily injury or death; official misconduct; homicide, trafficking and sex offenses (including attempts); officials convicted in office; two or more unrelated deadly-weapon felonies; unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.
- Limits
- One conviction-expungement petition per lifetime.
Law: IC 35-38-9-4, -7
Source: Official text
Marked as expunged: serious felonies with prosecutor consent (IC 35-38-9-5)
Other felonies, including felonies that caused serious bodily injury, offenses by elected officials or judicial officers (other than official misconduct in office), and official misconduct by a person who is not an elected official or judicial officer.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Serious felony | 10 years You can file 10 years after the conviction or 5 years after your sentence ends, whichever is later, if you have had no new conviction in the last 10 years. | The date of conviction, or 5 years after you complete the sentence, whichever is later |
- Not eligible
- Sex or violent offenders; felonies resulting in death; homicide, trafficking and sex offenses (including attempts); official misconduct by an official in office; two or more unrelated deadly-weapon felonies; serious violent felon in possession of a firearm.
- Limits
- One conviction-expungement petition per lifetime. You must attach the prosecutor's written consent.
Law: IC 35-38-9-5, -7
Source: Official text
Limited criminal history restriction (IC 35-38-5-5)
Your whole Indiana State Police limited criminal history, for people who cannot or do not expunge.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Any convictions | 15 years After 15 years you can ask the State Police to release your limited criminal history only to criminal justice agencies. | Discharge from probation, imprisonment or parole for your last conviction, whichever is later |
Law: IC 35-38-5-5
Source: Official text
When can I file? Waiting periods in Indiana
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 Indiana
Expungement of arrest records (IC 35-38-9-1)
File a verified petition in the circuit or superior court of the county where the charges were filed (or where you were arrested, if no charges were filed). The court serves the prosecutor and must grant the petition if you qualify.
- Cost
- No filing fee.
Law: IC 35-38-9-1(e)
Expungement of misdemeanor convictions (IC 35-38-9-2)
File a verified petition in the county of conviction and serve the prosecutor, who has 30 days to reply. You must have no pending charges and must have paid all fines, fees, court costs and restitution. If you qualify, the court must grant it; a hearing is set only if the prosecutor objects.
- Cost
- The civil-case filing fee; for example, $157 for a conviction expungement (XP) in Clark County, per its posted fee schedule.
- If you can't pay
- The court may reduce or waive the fee if you are indigent; Indiana Legal Help has expungement fee waiver forms.
Law: IC 35-38-9-8(d)
Expungement of Class D / Level 6 felony convictions (IC 35-38-9-3)
Same as misdemeanor expungement. If you qualify, the court must grant it and the records are sealed.
- Cost
- Civil-case filing fee (for example, $157 for a conviction expungement (XP) in Clark County, per its posted fee schedule).
- If you can't pay
- The court may reduce or waive the fee if you are indigent.
Marked as expunged: other felonies (IC 35-38-9-4)
Same petition process. The judge has discretion to grant or deny. The records stay public but are clearly marked as expunged.
- Cost
- Civil-case filing fee (for example, $157 for a conviction expungement (XP) in Clark County, per its posted fee schedule).
- If you can't pay
- The court may reduce or waive the fee if you are indigent.
Marked as expunged: serious felonies with prosecutor consent (IC 35-38-9-5)
Same petition process plus the prosecutor's written consent. The judge has discretion. Records stay public but are marked as expunged.
- Cost
- Civil-case filing fee (for example, $157 for a conviction expungement (XP) in Clark County, per its posted fee schedule).
- If you can't pay
- The court may reduce or waive the fee if you are indigent.
Limited criminal history restriction (IC 35-38-5-5)
Petition the Indiana State Police directly. Court records are not affected.
Court self-help
Free help in Indiana
- Indiana Legal Services: Criminal Record Expungement · 317-631-9410
- Indiana Legal Help (find legal clinics by county)
- Find free legal aid at LawHelp.org
National help
Free letter and checklist
Letter: ask for a copy of your own record
A request to the state records office (Indiana State Police, Criminal Justice Information Services Section) 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 Indiana.
Clearing a record in Indiana by topic
Expungement of arrest records (IC 35-38-9-1) in Indiana
Which records each remedy covers, who is not eligible and what changes afterwards.
Waiting periods in Indiana
How long you wait for each kind of case, and a date helper.
How to file in Indiana
The steps, the cost, fee waivers, the forms and court self-help.
Automatic relief in Indiana
- Law
- Automatic expungement of dismissed and acquitted cases
- What is cleared
- For charges filed after June 30, 2022, when a court dismisses all charges, you are acquitted of all charges, or your conviction is vacated, the court must immediately order the records expunged without a petition. The order takes effect 60 days later (the prosecutor can ask to delay it up to 1 year). Convictions are never expunged automatically.
- Started
- July 1, 2022
Law: IC 35-38-9-1(b), added by P.L.14-2022
Juvenile records in Indiana
For children adjudicated delinquent after June 30, 2021, the juvenile court must automatically expunge records of non-felony acts (other than certain gun offenses) when the child turns 19 or one year after discharge, whichever is later, unless that would not serve the interests of justice. Other juvenile records can be expunged by petition.
Law: IC 31-39-8-3.5
Pardons in Indiana
- Who decides
- The Governor, after an investigation and recommendation by the Indiana Parole Board
- How
- Download the Pardon Packet from the Parole Board, complete it, and mail it to the Parole Board office (402 W. Washington Street, Room W466, Indianapolis, IN 46204). The Board holds a hearing and sends its recommendation to the Governor.
Law: IC 11-9-2
After your record is cleared in Indiana
After expungement you are treated as if you had never been convicted, and your civil rights (vote, office, jury service, firearms except for domestic violence) are restored. Applications may only ask about records "that have not been expunged," and it is unlawful to refuse to hire, license or admit you because of an expunged or sealed record. Exceptions: law enforcement, probation and community corrections employers, schools, the bar, mortgage-licensing (SAFE Act) checks and federal CDL reporting; an expunged conviction can still count if you are charged with a new crime.
Law: IC 35-38-9-6, -10
Get your own record in Indiana
Indiana State Police, Criminal Justice Information Services Section · 317-232-8262
For your full Indiana record, schedule a fingerprint appointment with IdentoGO (choose "Criminal Record Review Challenge") and pay at scheduling; you get your transcript or a no-record letter. A name-based Limited Criminal History is also available online or by mail (money order).
Letter: ask the state records office for a copy of your record
Good to know in Indiana
- You can expunge convictions only once in your lifetime, so all convictions in all counties should be included in petitions filed within one 365-day period.
Law: IC 35-38-9-9(i)
- A plea agreement cannot make you give up your right to expungement.
Law: IC 35-38-9-11
- Background check companies that report an expunged conviction face penalties.
Law: IC 35-38-9-12
Changes in 2024–2026
P.L.77-2025 (SEA 281, effective July 1, 2025) amended the expungement laws: official misconduct can now be marked as expunged under IC 35-38-9-5 if you were not an elected official and the prosecutor consents; courts may not order the BMV to expunge certain convictions of people who held a commercial driver's license or permit at the time of the offense; sealed records may be shared with the State Police when needed to carry out an expungement; and juvenile records about acts that would be serious violent felonies are kept (not destroyed) after expungement and stay available to law enforcement.
Law: IC 35-38-9-0.6(d); IC 31-39-8-5, -6
Questions about clearing a record in Indiana
What is clearing a record called in Indiana?
Expungement (sealing) and "marked as expunged". In Indiana, expungement of arrests, misdemeanors and most Level 6 / Class D felonies seals the records from the public; they are not destroyed. For more serious felonies the records stay public but are marked as expunged, and either way your rights are restored and most employers may not hold the record against you.
Can convictions be cleared in Indiana?
Expungement of arrest records: Arrests, charges and juvenile allegations that did not lead to a conviction (including cases that ended only in an infraction), and convictions that were vacated. Expungement of misdemeanor convictions: Misdemeanor convictions, including Class D or Level 6 felonies that were reduced to misdemeanors. Expungement of Class D / Level 6 felony convictions: Class D felonies (crimes before July 1, 2014) and Level 6 felonies (after June 30, 2014). Marked as expunged: other felonies: Felonies that do not qualify under section 3 (for example, older Class A, B, C felonies and Level 1-5 felonies) that did not cause serious bodily injury or death. Marked as expunged: serious felonies with prosecutor consent: Other felonies, including felonies that caused serious bodily injury, offenses by elected officials or judicial officers (other than official misconduct in office), and official misconduct by a person who is not an elected official or judicial officer. Limited criminal history restriction: Your whole Indiana State Police limited criminal history, for people who cannot or do not expunge.
How long do I have to wait in Indiana?
Arrest, charge dismissed or acquitted (petition): 1 year, counted from the date of arrest, charge or juvenile allegation, whichever is later; Arrest after June 30, 2022, no charges pending: 1 year, counted from the date of arrest; Misdemeanor conviction: 5 years, counted from the date of conviction; Class D / Level 6 felony conviction: 8 years, counted from the date of conviction.
Does Indiana clear records automatically?
For charges filed after June 30, 2022, when a court dismisses all charges, you are acquitted of all charges, or your conviction is vacated, the court must immediately order the records expunged without a petition. The order takes effect 60 days later (the prosecutor can ask to delay it up to 1 year). Convictions are never expunged automatically.
How much does it cost to clear a record in Indiana?
Expungement of arrest records: No filing fee. Expungement of misdemeanor convictions: The civil-case filing fee; for example, $157 for a conviction expungement (XP) in Clark County, per its posted fee schedule. Expungement of Class D / Level 6 felony convictions: Civil-case filing fee (for example, $157 for a conviction expungement (XP) in Clark County, per its posted fee schedule). Marked as expunged: other felonies: Civil-case filing fee (for example, $157 for a conviction expungement (XP) in Clark County, per its posted fee schedule). Marked as expunged: serious felonies with prosecutor consent: Civil-case filing fee (for example, $157 for a conviction expungement (XP) in Clark County, per its posted fee schedule).
Can juvenile records be cleared in Indiana?
For children adjudicated delinquent after June 30, 2021, the juvenile court must automatically expunge records of non-felony acts (other than certain gun offenses) when the child turns 19 or one year after discharge, whichever is later, unless that would not serve the interests of justice. Other juvenile records can be expunged by petition.
What can I say after my record is cleared in Indiana?
After expungement you are treated as if you had never been convicted, and your civil rights (vote, office, jury service, firearms except for domestic violence) are restored. Applications may only ask about records "that have not been expunged," and it is unlawful to refuse to hire, license or admit you because of an expunged or sealed record. Exceptions: law enforcement, probation and community corrections employers, schools, the bar, mortgage-licensing (SAFE Act) checks and federal CDL reporting; an expunged conviction can still count if you are charged with a new crime.
How do I get a copy of my criminal record in Indiana?
For your full Indiana record, schedule a fingerprint appointment with IdentoGO (choose "Criminal Record Review Challenge") and pay at scheduling; you get your transcript or a no-record letter. A name-based Limited Criminal History is also available online or by mail (money order).
Where can I get free help in Indiana?
Indiana Legal Services: Criminal Record Expungement and Indiana Legal Help (find legal clinics by county).