How to file to clear a record in Iowa
How to ask a Iowa court to clear your record, what it costs and which forms to use.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.
Short answer
File an Application to Expunge in the criminal case; the prosecutor can also apply, or the court can act on its own. The parties get time to object before the court enters the order.
- Main remedy
- Expungement of acquittals and dismissals (Iowa Code 901C.2)
- Cost
- You must attach an Iowa DCI criminal history record check, which costs $15.
- Forms
- 6
Where and how to file in Iowa
Expungement of acquittals and dismissals (Iowa Code 901C.2)
File an Application to Expunge in the criminal case; the prosecutor can also apply, or the court can act on its own. The parties get time to object before the court enters the order.
Law: Rule 2.86 Form 1
Law: Rule 2.86 Form 1
Misdemeanor expungement (Iowa Code 901C.3)
File an Application to Expunge Misdemeanor Court Records in the county where you were convicted, in every related case, and attach your Iowa DCI criminal history (no more than 30 days old). If you qualify, the court must grant it as a matter of law. If you e-file, the county attorney is notified automatically.
Law: Rule 2.86 Form 2
- Cost
- You must attach an Iowa DCI criminal history record check, which costs $15. Ask the clerk of court whether any court fee applies.
Law: Rule 2.86 Form 2
Expungement of public intoxication, underage alcohol possession and juvenile prostitution convictions (Iowa Code 123.46(6), 123.47(9), 725.1(1)(c))
File the matching application in the criminal case in the county of conviction. If you qualify, the court must grant it, and the conviction is also removed from the Department of Public Safety criminal history files.
Deferred judgment expungement (Iowa Code 907.9)
No application is usually needed; the court record is expunged on discharge. A related charge not in the same charging document needs a court order naming it.
Court self-help
Who cannot use these remedies in Iowa
- Expungement of acquittals and dismissals (Iowa Code 901C.2): Cases dismissed because you were found not guilty by reason of insanity; cases where you were found incompetent to stand trial; dismissals after a deferred judgment. You must have paid all court costs, fees and other court-ordered financial obligations in the case.
- Misdemeanor expungement (Iowa Code 901C.3): Public intoxication; certain underage alcohol offenses; driving while barred, suspended or revoked; OWI; sex offenses; involuntary manslaughter; certain assaults; domestic abuse assault; harassment; stalking; removing an officer's communication device; certain trespass; offenses under chapters 717C, 719, 720, 724 (weapons), 726, 728 and 901A; 721.2, 721.10, 723.1; commercial-driver disqualifying offenses; comparable prior-law offenses. You must have no pending charges, must not have previously received two deferred judgments, and must have paid all fines, costs, fees and restitution.
- Expungement of public intoxication, underage alcohol possession and juvenile prostitution convictions (Iowa Code 123.46(6), 123.47(9), 725.1(1)(c)): Any other criminal conviction during the 2-year period (other than local traffic violations or simple misdemeanor violations of chapter 321).
- Deferred judgment expungement (Iowa Code 907.9): Dismissed counts are not expunged if another count in the case led to a conviction that was not expunged.
Law: Iowa Code 901C.2; Iowa R. Crim. P. 2.86; Iowa Code 901C.3; Iowa Code 123.46(6), 123.47(9), 725.1(1)(c); Iowa Code 907.9(4)
What you can say afterwards
An expunged record becomes confidential and exempt from public access under Iowa Code 22.7. After a misdemeanor expungement, the conviction is removed from the Department of Public Safety criminal history files. Expunged dismissal and deferred-judgment records remain available without a court order to you and to agencies with access to the deferred judgment docket; expunged misdemeanor records are available only by court order.
Law: Iowa Code 901C.2(2), 901C.3(4)-(5), 907.9(4)(b)
Get your own record in Iowa
Iowa Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)
Submit the Criminal History Record Check Request Form and Billing Form online, by mail, fax, email or in person (8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays for your own record). The fee is $15 per last name; no phone requests.
Letter: ask the state records office for a copy of your record
In nearby states
Your next steps in Iowa
Get your papers ready
You need your case numbers, court papers and proof you finished your sentence. Checklist: what to gather before you file.
Prepare the petition
The court's self-help pages explain each form: Iowa Judicial Branch: Instructions for Application to Expunge Misdemeanor Court Records and Iowa Judicial Branch: court forms (e-signing and filing).
File with the clerk
File the petition with the clerk and follow the court's rules for notice to the prosecutor.
Get help
Free help: Iowa Legal Aid.
Free help in Iowa
Questions about filing in Iowa
How long do I have to wait in Iowa?
Acquittal or dismissal of all charges: At least 180 days must pass after the acquittal or dismissal, unless the court finds good cause (for example, identity theft or mistaken identity), counted from the judgment of acquittal or order of dismissal; Misdemeanor conviction: 8 years, counted from the date of conviction; Public intoxication, underage possession, or prostitution under 18: 2 years, counted from the date of conviction; Deferred judgment, probation completed: No waiting period, counted from discharge from probation.
How much does it cost to clear a record in Iowa?
Misdemeanor expungement: You must attach an Iowa DCI criminal history record check, which costs $15. Ask the clerk of court whether any court fee applies.
How do I get a copy of my criminal record in Iowa?
Submit the Criminal History Record Check Request Form and Billing Form online, by mail, fax, email or in person (8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays for your own record). The fee is $15 per last name; no phone requests.