How to file to clear a record in Maryland

How to ask a Maryland court to clear your record, what it costs and which forms to use.

Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.

Short answer

File the petition in the court where the case began (or the court it was transferred or appealed to). The court sends it to the State's Attorney.

Main remedy
Expungement of non-conviction and other favorable dispositions (§ 10-105)
Cost
No filing fee for acquittal, dismissal, PBJ, nolle prosequi, stet or not-criminally-responsible dispositions.
Forms
7

Where and how to file in Maryland

Expungement of non-conviction and other favorable dispositions (§ 10-105)

File the petition in the court where the case began (or the court it was transferred or appealed to). The court sends it to the State's Attorney. If there is no objection within 30 days, the court orders expungement; if there is an objection, the court holds a hearing. Agencies must confirm compliance within 60 days. The court may also grant a petition earlier for good cause.

Law: § 10-105(c)(9)

Cost
No filing fee for acquittal, dismissal, PBJ, nolle prosequi, stet or not-criminally-responsible dispositions.
If you can't pay
Not needed for these dispositions.

Law: § 10-105(c)(9)

Expungement of convictions (§ 10-110)

File in the court where the case began. The court notifies the State's Attorney and any victims. If no one objects within 30 days, the court orders expungement. If someone objects, the court holds a hearing and must find you are not a risk to public safety, have paid restitution (or cannot pay it), and that expungement is in the interest of justice.

Cost
$30 per case, nonrefundable even if denied.
If you can't pay
You may ask the court to waive the fee with a Request for Waiver of Costs (CC-DC-089).

Shielding (Maryland Second Chance Act)

File in the court of conviction. The State's Attorney has 30 days to object; if it objects, the court holds a hearing. In MDEC counties also file a Notice Regarding Restricted Information (MDJ-008).

Cost
No filing fee.

Court self-help

Checklist: what to gather before you file

Records that are not eligible in Maryland

  • Expungement of non-conviction and other favorable dispositions (§ 10-105): PBJ for certain DUI-related offenses under § 21-902(c), (d), (h) or (i), or for offenses under Criminal Law Title 2, Subtitle 5 or § 3-211; anyone with a pending criminal case; the 'unit rule' — if one charge from the same incident cannot be expunged, none of them can (minor traffic and cannabis possession charges do not count).
  • Expungement of convictions (§ 10-110): Any offense not on the § 10-110 list; a new conviction during the waiting period (unless that one also becomes eligible); a pending criminal case; the 'unit rule' (all convictions from the same incident must be eligible).
  • Shielding (Maryland Second Chance Act): Domestically related crimes; a new conviction during the 3-year wait; a pending criminal case; a unit that includes a non-shieldable conviction.

Law: Md. Code, Criminal Procedure §§ 10-105, 10-107; Md. Code, Criminal Procedure § 10-110 (as amended by the Expungement Reform Act of 2025, ch. 95); Md. Code, Criminal Procedure §§ 10-301 to 10-305

Get your own record in Maryland

Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Central Repository, Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services · 410-764-4501

Ask for an Individual Review background check: get fingerprinted at an authorized location in Maryland (or mail a fingerprint card from CJIS, P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville, MD 21282-2708, if you live outside Maryland) and submit form CJIS 015 with the fee; the DPSCS FAQ lists $18 for an Individual Review (fingerprinting fees are extra).

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

What you can say afterwards

Employers, schools and state licensing agencies may not require you to disclose expunged charges, and refusing to disclose them cannot be the sole reason to refuse to hire you or deny a license; a violation is a misdemeanor. Shielded records stay visible to police, courts, and employers or licensing boards that are legally required to check criminal backgrounds.

Law: Criminal Procedure §§ 10-109, 10-302

In nearby states

  • Delaware: $72 to apply (fingerprints and criminal history); if eligible, a $75 money order payable to the Delaware State Police.
  • New Jersey: No filing fee (N.J.S.A. 2C:52-29; NJ Courts: the eCourts Expungement System is free).
  • Pennsylvania: Filing costs are set by each county; ask the clerk of courts.

What to do now in Maryland

  1. Collect what you need

    Gather the papers for each case before you start. Checklist: what to gather before you file.

  2. Use the court's forms

    Use the official forms and instructions: Maryland Judiciary — Expungement (Adult) and Maryland Judiciary — Shielding Criminal Records.

  3. Turn in the petition

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

Free help in Maryland

Questions about filing in Maryland

When can I ask to clear my record in Maryland?

Acquittal, dismissal or nolle prosequi: 3 years, counted from disposition; Probation before judgment (PBJ): 3 years, counted from the later of discharge from probation or 3 years after PBJ was granted; PBJ for DUI/DWI: 15 years, counted from discharge from probation; Stet or compromise: 3 years, counted from the stet or compromise.

Is there a fee to clear a record in Maryland?

Expungement of non-conviction and other favorable dispositions: No filing fee for acquittal, dismissal, PBJ, nolle prosequi, stet or not-criminally-responsible dispositions. Expungement of convictions: $30 per case, nonrefundable even if denied. Shielding (Maryland Second Chance Act): No filing fee.

Where do I get my own record in Maryland?

Ask for an Individual Review background check: get fingerprinted at an authorized location in Maryland (or mail a fingerprint card from CJIS, P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville, MD 21282-2708, if you live outside Maryland) and submit form CJIS 015 with the fee; the DPSCS FAQ lists $18 for an Individual Review (fingerprinting fees are extra).

Who helps for free in Maryland?

Maryland Court Help Center (free legal help by phone and chat), Maryland Legal Aid and Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service.

Related Maryland pages