Expungement of arrest records (K.S.A. 22-2410) in Kansas: which records can be cleared
What Kansas law lets you clear, record by record.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.
Short answer
In Kansas it is called expungement: expungement seals the court file and the state record of an arrest, diversion or conviction; the record is not destroyed. Some misdemeanor and felony convictions may be cleared.
- Main remedy
- Expungement of arrest records (K.S.A. 22-2410)
- What it covers
- Arrests that did not lead to a conviction: mistaken identity, no probable cause, not-guilty verdicts, dismissed charges, or no charges filed.
- Ways to clear a record
- 2
Which records can be cleared in Kansas
Expungement — In Kansas, expungement seals the court file and the state record of an arrest, diversion or conviction; the record is not destroyed. After expungement you are treated as never having been arrested, convicted or diverted, but police, courts and some licensing agencies and employers can still see it.
Kansas has 2 ways to clear a record. Each covers different records and has its own waiting period.
Expungement of arrest records (K.S.A. 22-2410)
Arrests that did not lead to a conviction: mistaken identity, no probable cause, not-guilty verdicts, dismissed charges, or no charges filed.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Arrest, dismissal or acquittal | No waiting period There is no waiting period; you can petition at any time. | The arrest or end of the case |
Law: K.S.A. 22-2410
Source: Official text
Expungement of convictions and diversions (K.S.A. 21-6614)
Misdemeanors, traffic infractions, completed diversion agreements, and most felonies (except the listed serious sex, homicide and child-abuse offenses).
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Misdemeanor, traffic infraction, Class D/E felony or lower-level felony (nondrug levels 6-10, drug level 5, or drug level 4 for 1993-2012 crimes) | 3 years You can petition 3 years after you finish your sentence or are discharged from supervision. | Satisfying the sentence or discharge from probation, community corrections, parole, postrelease supervision, conditional release or suspended sentence |
Completed diversion agreement | 3 years You can petition 3 years after you complete the diversion. | Fulfilling the terms of the diversion |
Higher-level felony (Class A-C, off-grid, nondrug levels 1-5, high drug levels) and listed traffic-related crimes (vehicular homicide, driving while suspended, hit-and-run, no insurance, felony using a vehicle, etc.) | 5 years You must wait 5 years after you finish your sentence or supervision. | Satisfying the sentence or discharge from supervision |
First DUI (K.S.A. 8-1567), including diversion | 5 years You must wait 5 years for a first DUI. | Satisfying the sentence or discharge from supervision |
Second or later DUI | 10 years You must wait 10 years for a second or later DUI. | Satisfying the sentence or discharge from supervision |
Specialty court program completed | No waiting period You can petition after completing a specialty court program; the court may waive the docket fee. | Completion of the specialty court program |
Prostitution conviction or diversion, if you were coerced | 1 year If you can show you were coerced, you can petition after 1 year. | Satisfying the sentence or diversion, or discharge from supervision |
- Not eligible
- Rape; indecent liberties or aggravated indecent liberties with a child; criminal sodomy and aggravated criminal sodomy; indecent solicitation of a child; sexual exploitation of a child; internet trading in child pornography; aggravated incest; endangering or abuse of a child; capital murder, first- and second-degree murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter; sexual battery of a minor; aggravated sexual battery; commercial driver DUI; attempts of these. No expungement while you are required to register as an offender.
Law: K.S.A. 21-6614; K.S.A. 8-2,144
Source: Official text
After your record is cleared
After expungement you are treated as not having been arrested, convicted or diverted, and on most job, license and other applications you may say you were never arrested, convicted or diverted of that crime. You must still disclose it for jobs or licenses such as private detective and security, law enforcement, practice of law, lottery and gaming, securities registration, bail enforcement, commercial driver's licenses and some state institution jobs; it can also count as a prior conviction if you are charged again. Expungement of a crime that barred gun possession restores your firearm rights. K.S.A. 21-6614(i)-(m); 22-2410(d).
Juvenile records in Kansas
Juvenile records can be expunged on application once you turn 23 or 2 years after final discharge (1 year for certain prostitution adjudications), if you have had no later conviction or adjudication and the court finds it warranted. Murder, manslaughter, rape and other listed serious sex and child-abuse offenses cannot be expunged. The petition carries the same $176 docket fee (plus up to $19 from July 1, 2026). K.S.A. 38-2312.
Pardons in Kansas
- Who decides
- The Governor; applications go through the Kansas Prisoner Review Board
- How
- Send a clemency application (Kansas Department of Corrections forms) to the Prisoner Review Board, 714 SW Jackson, Suite 300, Topeka, KS 66603. The Board reviews the case, may interview you, and sends a recommendation to the Governor, who decides. The prosecutor, the convicting judge and (for violent or sex crimes) the victim or family must get written notice at least 30 days before a pardon can be granted.
Law: K.S.A. 22-3701
In nearby states
Steps to clear a record in Kansas
Start with your record
Find out exactly what your record shows: every arrest, charge and outcome. Kansas Judicial Council: Expungement (Adult) forms and Douglas County District Court: Getting an Expungement (step-by-step example).
Check the waiting period
Waiting periods differ by case and remedy. Waiting periods.
File with the court
The court decides each request. How to file.
Talk to legal aid
Legal aid can help for free: Kansas Legal Services: Expungement.
Free legal help in Kansas
Questions about clearing a record in Kansas
What does Kansas call expungement?
Expungement. In Kansas, expungement seals the court file and the state record of an arrest, diversion or conviction; the record is not destroyed. After expungement you are treated as never having been arrested, convicted or diverted, but police, courts and some licensing agencies and employers can still see it.
Can I clear a conviction in Kansas?
Expungement of arrest records: Arrests that did not lead to a conviction: mistaken identity, no probable cause, not-guilty verdicts, dismissed charges, or no charges filed. Expungement of convictions and diversions: Misdemeanors, traffic infractions, completed diversion agreements, and most felonies (except the listed serious sex, homicide and child-abuse offenses).
What happens to juvenile records in Kansas?
Juvenile records can be expunged on application once you turn 23 or 2 years after final discharge (1 year for certain prostitution adjudications), if you have had no later conviction or adjudication and the court finds it warranted. Murder, manslaughter, rape and other listed serious sex and child-abuse offenses cannot be expunged. The petition carries the same $176 docket fee (plus up to $19 from July 1, 2026). K.S.A. 38-2312.
Who can still see a cleared record in Kansas?
After expungement you are treated as not having been arrested, convicted or diverted, and on most job, license and other applications you may say you were never arrested, convicted or diverted of that crime. You must still disclose it for jobs or licenses such as private detective and security, law enforcement, practice of law, lottery and gaming, securities registration, bail enforcement, commercial driver's licenses and some state institution jobs; it can also count as a prior conviction if you are charged again. Expungement of a crime that barred gun possession restores your firearm rights. K.S.A. 21-6614(i)-(m); 22-2410(d).