How long you wait to clear a record in Missouri
When you can ask to clear a record in Missouri.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.
Short answer
In Missouri you wait a set time before you can ask. The time depends on the case.
- Main remedy
- Petition for expungement (RSMo 610.140)
- Waiting periods
- Misdemeanor, municipal violation or infraction: 1 year, counted from completion of the sentence or other authorized disposition
Felony: 3 years, counted from completion of the sentence or other authorized disposition
Arrest with no charges: 18 months, counted from the arrest
Missouri waiting period helper
Pick your kind of case and the date the waiting period runs from. We add the waiting period from the law; nothing else.
Automatic relief in Missouri
Starting no later than January 1, 2027, the Highway Patrol's central repository must screen records at least weekly and automatically expunge convictions for possession of a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia once 1 year (misdemeanor) or 3 years (felony) has passed since you completed all court-imposed terms and were released, with no new misdemeanor or felony conviction in that time, no pending charges or outstanding arrest, and no class A felony; the case must contain only qualifying convictions. These count toward the lifetime limit of 3 misdemeanors and 2 felonies. Separately, if your case was nolle prossed or dismissed, you were found not guilty, or you received a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS), the records become closed records when the case ends (for SIS, after probation). Closed records are hidden from the public but police, courts and some employers and agencies can still see them.
Law: RSMo 579.015, 579.074, or former 195.202, 195.233
RSMo 610.141 took effect August 28, 2026; automatic expungements must begin when technically feasible and no later than January 1, 2027.
Law: RSMo 610.141 (2026 S.B. 1421); RSMo 610.105
Waiting periods: Petition for expungement (RSMo 610.140)
Arrests, misdemeanor, municipal and infraction records, and felony convictions in Missouri courts that are not on the excluded list.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Misdemeanor, municipal violation or infraction | 1 year You may petition 1 year after you complete your sentence, with no new misdemeanor or felony (traffic excepted) in that time. | Completion of the sentence or other authorized disposition |
Felony | 3 years You may petition 3 years after you complete your sentence, with no new misdemeanor or felony (traffic excepted) in that time. | Completion of the sentence or other authorized disposition |
Arrest with no charges | 18 months You may petition 18 months after the arrest if you were not charged and have no new guilty finding. | The arrest |
- Not eligible
- Class A felonies; dangerous felonies; offenses requiring sex-offender registration; felonies with death as an element; felony assault, any domestic assault, and felony kidnapping; chapter 566 sex offenses and a long list of other named offenses (many weapons, child-endangerment, public-corruption and election offenses); intoxication-related traffic or boating offenses; traffic offenses by commercial driver's license holders; most unlawful-use-of-weapon offenses. Since January 1, 2025, offenses that were 'previously listed' or are successors to listed offenses are also excluded.
- Limits
- In your lifetime: no more than 3 misdemeanors or ordinance violations that carry jail time, and no more than 2 felonies (infractions are unlimited). Crimes from the same course of conduct count as one, at the highest level. If dismissed, wait 1 year to refile.
Law: RSMo 610.140 (as amended by 2024 S.B. 754, effective Jan. 1, 2025)
Source: Official text
Waiting periods: Expungement of a first intoxication-related traffic or boating offense (RSMo 610.130)
One first-offense misdemeanor or ordinance DWI/BWI (not in a commercial vehicle).
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
First DWI/BWI misdemeanor | 10 years You may apply 10 years after the plea or conviction if you have had no other intoxication-related offense or alcohol-related enforcement contact. | The plea or conviction |
- Not eligible
- Commercial driver's license holders.
- Limits
- Only one expungement under this section in your lifetime.
Law: RSMo 610.130
Source: Official text
Waiting periods: Expungement of an arrest based on false information or mistaken/stolen identity (RSMo 610.122, 610.123, 610.145)
Arrests based on false information with no probable cause; dismissed or not-guilty minor traffic arrests; charges filed because someone used your identity or you were misidentified.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Qualifying arrest | No waiting period No waiting period; the court holds a hearing at least 30 days after filing. | Anytime |
- Not eligible
- Intoxication-related traffic offenses; commercial drivers; arrests where you received a suspended imposition of sentence.
Law: RSMo 610.122, 610.123, 610.145
Source: Official text
In nearby states
- Illinois: Arrest without charges, acquittal, dismissal, reversed or vacated conviction: No waiting period, counted from the end of the case
- Arkansas: Most misdemeanors and violations: No waiting period, counted from completion of sentence, including restitution, court costs and any driver's license reinstatement fees
- 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
Your next steps in Missouri
Get your court papers
Use the dates on your court papers, not your memory.
Read the full rule
Some offenses are never eligible, and a new case can restart or stop the clock.
Prepare your petition
Once enough time has passed, see how to file. How to file.
Talk to legal aid
Free help: Legal Services of Eastern Missouri and Legal Aid of Western Missouri.
Free help in Missouri
Questions about waiting periods in Missouri
Can convictions be cleared in Missouri?
Petition for expungement: Arrests, misdemeanor, municipal and infraction records, and felony convictions in Missouri courts that are not on the excluded list. Expungement of a first intoxication-related traffic or boating offense: One first-offense misdemeanor or ordinance DWI/BWI (not in a commercial vehicle). Expungement of an arrest based on false information or mistaken/stolen identity: Arrests based on false information with no probable cause; dismissed or not-guilty minor traffic arrests; charges filed because someone used your identity or you were misidentified.
When can I ask to clear my record in Missouri?
Misdemeanor, municipal violation or infraction: 1 year, counted from completion of the sentence or other authorized disposition; Felony: 3 years, counted from completion of the sentence or other authorized disposition; Arrest with no charges: 18 months, counted from the arrest; First DWI/BWI misdemeanor: 10 years, counted from the plea or conviction.
Will Missouri clear my record on its own?
Starting no later than January 1, 2027, the Highway Patrol's central repository must screen records at least weekly and automatically expunge convictions for possession of a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia once 1 year (misdemeanor) or 3 years (felony) has passed since you completed all court-imposed terms and were released, with no new misdemeanor or felony conviction in that time, no pending charges or outstanding arrest, and no class A felony; the case must contain only qualifying convictions. These count toward the lifetime limit of 3 misdemeanors and 2 felonies. Separately, if your case was nolle prossed or dismissed, you were found not guilty, or you received a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS), the records become closed records when the case ends (for SIS, after probation). Closed records are hidden from the public but police, courts and some employers and agencies can still see them.
Is there free help to clear a record in Missouri?
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Legal Aid of Western Missouri and Mid-Missouri Legal Services.