Sealing of convictions by the Commissioner of Probation (G.L. c. 276, § 100A) in Massachusetts: which records can be cleared
Each way to clear a record in Massachusetts, what it covers, the exclusions and the effect.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.
Short answer
In Massachusetts it is called sealing (CORI sealing) or expungement: sealing hides the record: the Probation Service reports 'no record' to most people who ask. Some misdemeanor and felony convictions may be cleared, and Massachusetts also clears some records automatically.
- Main remedy
- Sealing of convictions by the Commissioner of Probation (G.L. c. 276, § 100A)
- What it covers
- Misdemeanor and felony convictions and other court appearances on your adult record. Offenses that are no longer crimes can be sealed right away.
- Ways to clear a record
- 4
- Automatic relief
- Yes
What each remedy covers in Massachusetts
Sealing (CORI sealing); expungement — Sealing hides the record: the Probation Service reports 'no record' to most people who ask, but police, courts and some employers and agencies allowed by law can still see it. Expungement permanently destroys the record so no court or agency can access it.
Massachusetts has 4 ways to clear a record. Each covers different records and has its own waiting period.
Sealing of convictions by the Commissioner of Probation (G.L. c. 276, § 100A)
Misdemeanor and felony convictions and other court appearances on your adult record. Offenses that are no longer crimes can be sealed right away.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Misdemeanor | 3 years You may ask to seal a misdemeanor 3 years after the case ended, including any time in custody, if you have no new guilty finding in that time. | The later of the guilty finding or the end of any jail or prison time |
Felony | 7 years You may ask to seal a felony 7 years after the case ended, including any time in custody, if you have no new guilty finding in that time. | The later of the guilty finding or the end of any prison time |
Eligible sex offense | 15 years Sex offenses can be sealed only after 15 years, or after your duty to register ends, whichever is later. | Disposition, including end of supervision, probation or incarceration (or longer while you must register) |
Offense that is no longer a crime | No waiting period You may ask to seal it right away. | Anytime |
- Not eligible
- Firearms convictions under c. 140 §§ 121-131H; convictions under c. 268 (crimes against public justice, e.g. perjury) except resisting arrest; c. 268A (ethics) convictions; sex offenders ever classified Level 2 or Level 3. Violations of restraining orders count as felonies for the waiting period. Under § 100A(5), the Commissioner seals only if your record has no conviction for one of these excluded offenses.
- Limits
- The waiting period applies to your whole record: a new conviction or jail time restarts it.
Law: G.L. c. 276, § 100A
Source: Official text
Court sealing of not-guilty, no-bill, nolle prosequi and dismissed cases (G.L. c. 276, § 100C)
Cases that ended in not guilty, no bill by the grand jury, or no probable cause (sealed automatically); cases that ended in nolle prosequi or dismissal (sealed by a judge on petition).
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Not guilty, no bill, or no probable cause | No waiting period These are sealed automatically unless you ask in writing that they not be sealed. | The disposition |
Nolle prosequi or dismissal | No waiting period You may file a petition at any time; a judge decides whether sealing serves 'substantial justice'. | The disposition |
Law: G.L. c. 276, § 100C
Source: Official text
Time-based expungement (G.L. c. 276, §§ 100F-100J)
Up to 2 records (charges from one incident count as one) — convictions, juvenile adjudications or non-conviction records — for offenses committed before your 21st birthday.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Misdemeanor(s) only | 3 years You may file 3 years after every part of the sentence is finished. | The end of the case, including any incarceration, custody or probation |
Record includes a felony | 7 years You may file 7 years after every part of the sentence is finished. | The end of the case, including any incarceration, custody or probation |
- Not eligible
- Offenses causing (or meant to cause) death or serious bodily injury; offenses while armed with a dangerous weapon; offenses against an elderly or disabled person; sex offenses; OUI; firearms offenses; violating restraining or harassment orders; assault and battery on a family or household member; any felony under c. 265. You also cannot have any other record in Massachusetts or elsewhere (except minor traffic fines up to $50) or be under active criminal investigation.
- Limits
- No more than 2 records in total; all offenses must have occurred before age 21.
Law: G.L. c. 276, §§ 100F, 100G, 100H, 100I, 100J
Source: Official text
Non-time-based expungement (G.L. c. 276, § 100K)
Records created because of false identification or identity theft, an offense that is no longer a crime, or demonstrable errors by police, witnesses or court staff, or fraud on the court.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Any qualifying record | No waiting period No waiting period; you must prove the reason by clear and convincing evidence. | Anytime |
Law: G.L. c. 276, § 100K
Source: Official text
Marijuana relief in Massachusetts
A judge must, within 30 days of your petition, order expungement of records for possession or cultivation of amounts of marijuana that are now legal or decriminalized (2 ounces or less; 10 ounces or less in your home; up to 6 plants for personal use / 12 on the premises), including intent to distribute or distribution based on those amounts. Separately, the Governor's pardon approved by the Governor's Council on April 3, 2024 forgives all Massachusetts misdemeanor marijuana possession convictions before March 13, 2024 (it does not cover people who were under 21 on the date of the pardon, possession with intent, distribution, OUI, or cases continued without a finding); records are being updated automatically, and you may request a pardon certificate and ask for sealing on that form.
Law: G.L. c. 276, § 100K¼
Source: form TC0021
What changes afterwards
With a sealed record you may answer 'no record' to questions about prior arrests, court appearances or convictions on applications for employment, housing, or an occupational or professional license; the Commissioner reports 'no record' to most inquirers, but police, courts and certain agencies or employers allowed by law can still see it, and it can be used for sentencing in a later case. After expungement you can say you have no record and cannot be charged with perjury or a false statement for not acknowledging it (G.L. c.
Law: 276, §§ 100A, 100C, 100Q
Records from when you were under 18
You may ask the Commissioner of Probation to seal a juvenile delinquency record 3 years after all parts of the case ended, if you have no new adjudication, conviction or commitment in that time. Juvenile adjudications for offenses before age 21 may also qualify for time-based expungement.
Law: G.L. c. 276, § 100B; § 100F
Records Massachusetts clears on its own
- Law
- Automatic sealing of not-guilty, no-bill and no-probable-cause cases
- What is cleared
- When a case ends in not guilty, a grand jury no bill, or a finding of no probable cause, the Commissioner of Probation and the court seal it without a petition, unless you ask in writing that it not be sealed. Convictions are not sealed automatically.
Law: G.L. c. 276, § 100C
Pardons in Massachusetts
- Who decides
- The Governor, with the advice and consent of the Governor's Council; the Parole Board acts as the Advisory Board of Pardons
- How
- File a written pardon petition with the Parole Board (Executive Clemency Unit). The Board reviews it and may hold a hearing, then advises the Governor. If granted and approved by the Council, all records of the pardoned offense are sealed, and you may answer 'no' when asked whether you were convicted of it.
Law: G.L. c. 127, §§ 152, 154
In nearby states
- Rhode Island: Expungement; sealing (for acquittals and dismissals)
- Connecticut: Erasure (Clean Slate erasure, absolute pardon)
- Vermont: Sealing; expungement (only for conduct that is no longer a crime)
- New York: Sealing (and expungement for certain marijuana convictions)
Steps to clear a record in Massachusetts
Start with your record
Your record lists each case; you need it to see which remedy fits. Mass.gov — Find out if you can seal your criminal record and Mass.gov — Find out if you can expunge your criminal record.
See if enough time has passed
Each kind of case has its own waiting period. Waiting periods.
Start the case
Most remedies start with a petition to the court. How to file.
Ask for free help
Legal aid can help for free: Office of the Commissioner of Probation (questions on sealing and expungement) and MassLegalHelp — CORI and criminal records.
Where to get free help in Massachusetts
Questions about clearing a record in Massachusetts
What does Massachusetts call expungement?
Sealing (CORI sealing); expungement. Sealing hides the record: the Probation Service reports 'no record' to most people who ask, but police, courts and some employers and agencies allowed by law can still see it. Expungement permanently destroys the record so no court or agency can access it.
Can I clear a conviction in Massachusetts?
Sealing of convictions by the Commissioner of Probation: Misdemeanor and felony convictions and other court appearances on your adult record. Offenses that are no longer crimes can be sealed right away. Court sealing of not-guilty, no-bill, nolle prosequi and dismissed cases: Cases that ended in not guilty, no bill by the grand jury, or no probable cause (sealed automatically); cases that ended in nolle prosequi or dismissal (sealed by a judge on petition). Time-based expungement: Up to 2 records (charges from one incident count as one) — convictions, juvenile adjudications or non-conviction records — for offenses committed before your 21st birthday. Non-time-based expungement: Records created because of false identification or identity theft, an offense that is no longer a crime, or demonstrable errors by police, witnesses or court staff, or fraud on the court.
Is there a Clean Slate law in Massachusetts?
When a case ends in not guilty, a grand jury no bill, or a finding of no probable cause, the Commissioner of Probation and the court seal it without a petition, unless you ask in writing that it not be sealed. Convictions are not sealed automatically.
Can a marijuana record be cleared in Massachusetts?
A judge must, within 30 days of your petition, order expungement of records for possession or cultivation of amounts of marijuana that are now legal or decriminalized (2 ounces or less; 10 ounces or less in your home; up to 6 plants for personal use / 12 on the premises), including intent to distribute or distribution based on those amounts. Separately, the Governor's pardon approved by the Governor's Council on April 3, 2024 forgives all Massachusetts misdemeanor marijuana possession convictions before March 13, 2024 (it does not cover people who were under 21 on the date of the pardon, possession with intent, distribution, OUI, or cases continued without a finding); records are being updated automatically, and you may request a pardon certificate and ask for sealing on that form.
What happens to juvenile records in Massachusetts?
You may ask the Commissioner of Probation to seal a juvenile delinquency record 3 years after all parts of the case ended, if you have no new adjudication, conviction or commitment in that time. Juvenile adjudications for offenses before age 21 may also qualify for time-based expungement.
What changes after a record is cleared in Massachusetts?
With a sealed record you may answer 'no record' to questions about prior arrests, court appearances or convictions on applications for employment, housing, or an occupational or professional license; the Commissioner reports 'no record' to most inquirers, but police, courts and certain agencies or employers allowed by law can still see it, and it can be used for sentencing in a later case. After expungement you can say you have no record and cannot be charged with perjury or a false statement for not acknowledging it (G.L. c.