How to file to clear a record in Kentucky

The steps, cost, fee waiver and forms to clear a record in Kentucky.

Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.

Short answer

File AOC-497.2 Petition for Expungement in the court where the case ended; no eligibility certification is needed. The court must grant a proper petition.

Main remedy
Expungement of acquittals, dismissals and charges not indicted (KRS 431.076)
Cost
No filing fee (AOC expungement page; Kentucky Justice Online).
Forms
5

Filing step by step in Kentucky

Expungement of acquittals, dismissals and charges not indicted (KRS 431.076)

File AOC-497.2 Petition for Expungement in the court where the case ended; no eligibility certification is needed. The court must grant a proper petition. For charges not indicted, the prosecutors get 90 days to respond, then the court dismisses and expunges if no indictment has issued.

Cost
No filing fee (AOC expungement page; Kentucky Justice Online).

Misdemeanor, violation and traffic infraction expungement (KRS 431.078)

Get an Expungement Certification from the Administrative Office of the Courts, then file AOC-496.2 in the court where you were convicted. The court sets a hearing at least 30 days later and notifies the county attorney and any victim. If you qualify and the convictions come from one incident, the court must grant it; for several incidents, the court may grant it.

Cost
$100 filing fee plus $40 for the required Expungement Certification (AOC).

Law: KRS 431.078(7)

Felony vacate and expunge (KRS 431.073)

Get an Expungement Certification, then file AOC-496.3 Application to Vacate and Expunge Felony Conviction as a motion in the original case in circuit court. The prosecutor has 60 days to respond. With no objection (or no response within 120 days) the judge may grant it without a hearing. If the prosecutor objects to a general Class D felony application, you must prove at a hearing, by clear and convincing evidence, that it is consistent with public safety, supported by your conduct and in the interests of justice; the victim may be heard.

Cost
$50 non-refundable filing fee, plus a $250 expungement fee if granted (payable in installments), plus $40 for the Expungement Certification - $340 in total (KRS 431.073(10)-(11); AOC).
If you can't pay
The $250 fee can be paid on an installment plan, and no one can be jailed for failing to finish the plan, but the record is not expunged until it is paid in full.

Law: KRS 431.073(11)

Court self-help

Checklist: what to gather before you file

Records that are not eligible in Kentucky

  • Expungement of acquittals, dismissals and charges not indicted (KRS 431.076): Dismissals in exchange for a guilty plea to another charge. Records held by the Department for Community Based Services are not expunged.
  • Misdemeanor, violation and traffic infraction expungement (KRS 431.078): Sex offenses; offenses committed against a child; offenses still subject to enhancement for a later offense. You must have no felony or misdemeanor conviction in the 5 years before you file and nothing pending.
  • Felony vacate and expunge (KRS 431.073): Class A, B and C felonies (unless pardoned); violations of KRS 189A.010 (DUI), 508.032 or 519.055; abuse of public office; sex offenses; offenses against a child; felonies that caused serious physical injury or death. You must have no felony or misdemeanor conviction in the 5 years before you apply and nothing pending.

Law: KRS 431.076; KRS 431.078; KRS 431.079; KRS 431.073

What you can say afterwards

After expungement the proceedings are deemed never to have occurred; courts and agencies remove the records from official state background checks and reply that no record exists, and you do not have to disclose the record on applications for employment, credit or other purposes. After a felony vacate-and-expunge, your right to vote is restored if nothing else bars it.

Law: KRS 431.073(7), 431.076(6), 431.078(6)

Get your own record in Kentucky

Kentucky State Police and Administrative Office of the Courts (Expungement Certification)

Request an Expungement Certification (a criminal record report showing which records are eligible) online, by mail, or at the AOC drive-thru at 1001 Vandalay Drive, Frankfort; the fee is $40.

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

In nearby states

  • Tennessee: Free for dismissed, nolle prosequi, no true bill and not-guilty charges. Dismissals after pretrial or judicial diversion: $100 nonrefundable clerk fee (Knox County District Attorney; TBI says clerk fees apply).
  • Indiana: No filing fee.
  • Ohio: No filing fee to seal a dismissal, not-guilty or no-bill case (Ohio Legal Help).

Your next steps in Kentucky

  1. Get your papers ready

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

  3. File with the clerk

    After you file, the prosecutor may respond and the court decides.

Where to get free help in Kentucky

Questions about filing in Kentucky

How long do I have to wait in Kentucky?

Acquittal or dismissal with prejudice, petition: If your case was not expunged automatically, you can petition 60 days after the acquittal or dismissal with prejudice, counted from the order of acquittal or dismissal; Felony charge not indicted: You can petition 6 months after the case was sent to the grand jury, counted from the District Court decision to hold the matter to the grand jury; Felony charge dismissed without prejudice: 3 years, counted from the order of dismissal without prejudice; Misdemeanor charge dismissed without prejudice: 1 year, counted from the order of dismissal without prejudice.

How much does it cost to clear a record in Kentucky?

Expungement of acquittals, dismissals and charges not indicted: No filing fee (AOC expungement page; Kentucky Justice Online). Misdemeanor, violation and traffic infraction expungement: $100 filing fee plus $40 for the required Expungement Certification (AOC). Felony vacate and expunge: $50 non-refundable filing fee, plus a $250 expungement fee if granted (payable in installments), plus $40 for the Expungement Certification - $340 in total (KRS 431.073(10)-(11); AOC).

Where do I get my own record in Kentucky?

Request an Expungement Certification (a criminal record report showing which records are eligible) online, by mail, or at the AOC drive-thru at 1001 Vandalay Drive, Frankfort; the fee is $40.

Who helps for free in Kentucky?

Kentucky Justice Online (statewide legal aid information and eligibility screening) and Department of Public Advocacy: Expungement.

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