How long you wait to clear a record in Nevada
When you can ask to clear a record in Nevada.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.
Short answer
These are the waiting periods in Nevada law. Each one runs from a set event, like the end of your sentence.
- Main remedy
- Sealing Records After Conviction (NRS 179.245)
- Waiting periods
- Misdemeanor (most): 1 year, counted from release from actual custody or end of a suspended sentence, whichever is later
Misdemeanor battery, harassment, stalking or violating a protection order: 2 years, counted from release from actual custody or end of a suspended sentence, whichever is later
Misdemeanor DUI, misdemeanor domestic battery, or Medicaid fraud (NRS 422.540-422.570): 7 years, counted from release from actual custody or end of a suspended sentence, whichever is later
Your earliest date in Nevada
Pick your kind of case and the date the waiting period runs from. We add the waiting period from the law; nothing else.
Waiting periods: Sealing Records After Conviction (NRS 179.245)
Most misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor and felony convictions (category A to E).
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Misdemeanor (most) | 1 year You can petition 1 year after your release or after your suspended sentence ends. | Release from actual custody or end of a suspended sentence, whichever is later |
Misdemeanor battery, harassment, stalking or violating a protection order | 2 years Wait 2 years. | Release from actual custody or end of a suspended sentence, whichever is later |
Misdemeanor DUI, misdemeanor domestic battery, or Medicaid fraud (NRS 422.540-422.570) | 7 years Wait 7 years. | Release from actual custody or end of a suspended sentence, whichever is later |
Gross misdemeanor | 2 years Wait 2 years. | Release from actual custody or discharge from probation, whichever is later |
Category E felony | 2 years Wait 2 years. | Release from actual custody or discharge from parole or probation, whichever is later |
Category B, C or D felony | 5 years Wait 5 years. | Release from actual custody or discharge from parole or probation, whichever is later |
Category A felony, crime of violence, or residential burglary | 10 years Wait 10 years. | Release from actual custody or discharge from parole or probation, whichever is later |
- Not eligible
- Crimes against a child; sexual offenses; home invasion with a deadly weapon; felony DUI; DUI causing death or substantial harm; vehicular homicide; felony boating under the influence. You must have no new conviction (other than minor traffic) and no pending charges during the waiting period.
- Limits
- If denied, you can ask for a rehearing after 2 years, or appeal.
Law: NRS 179.2405-179.301 (esp. 179.245, 179.2445, 179.265)
Source: Official text
Waiting periods: Sealing After Dismissal, Declined Prosecution or Acquittal (NRS 179.255)
Arrests where charges were dismissed, the prosecutor declined to charge, or you were acquitted.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Charges dismissed | No waiting period You can petition any time after the dismissal. | The dismissal |
Acquittal | No waiting period You can petition any time after the acquittal; the court must seal if no further action is expected. | The acquittal |
Prosecution declined | 8 years You can petition 8 years after the arrest, or earlier once the statute of limitations has run or if the prosecutor agrees. | The arrest |
- Limits
- Rehearing after denial: 2 years.
Law: NRS 179.255
Source: Official text
Waiting periods: Sealing of Decriminalized Offenses (NRS 179.271)
Convictions for conduct that is no longer a crime, such as possessing small amounts of marijuana before legalization (not traffic offenses).
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Decriminalized offense | No waiting period You can send a written request at any time. | No waiting period |
- Not eligible
- Traffic offenses.
Law: NRS 179.271
Source: Official text
Waiting periods: Sealing After Discharge From Deferred Probation (NRS 176A.265)
Cases where the court suspended proceedings and placed you on probation, then dismissed the case or set aside the conviction.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Deferred judgment completed | No waiting period The court must order the records sealed without a hearing, unless the Division of Parole and Probation shows good cause. | Discharge from probation or dismissal |
Deferred DUI or domestic battery case | 7 years You may petition after 7 years and the court must seal. | The conditional dismissal or set-aside |
- Not eligible
- Records cannot be sealed under this section if you were charged with child abuse or neglect or abuse, neglect or exploitation of an older or vulnerable person.
Law: NRS 176A.265
Source: Official text
Waiting periods: Sealing After Reentry Program (NRS 179.259)
A single non-violent felony for people who completed a correctional or judicial reentry program.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Reentry program completed | 4 years The court may seal 4 years after you complete the program, usually without a hearing. | Completing the reentry program |
- Not eligible
- Crimes against a child and sexual offenses.
Law: NRS 179.259
Source: Official text
Records Nevada clears on its own
The court seals records without a petition when you finish a deferred-judgment probation or certain specialty court treatment programs; the court and the Central Repository seal records once they receive a certified unconditional pardon; juvenile records are sealed within 60 days after age 18. There is no automatic sealing of ordinary adult convictions.
Law: NRS 176A.265; NRS 176A.245, 176A.295; NRS 179.273; NRS 62H.140
Pardon sealing added in 2021; juvenile automatic sealing since 2003 (amended 2015, 2021); deferred-probation sealing since 2001.
Law: NRS 176A.265; NRS 179.273; NRS 62H.140
In nearby states
- California: Misdemeanor or felony with probation: No waiting period, counted from end of probation (or early termination of probation)
- Utah: Arrest or charge, no conviction: At least 30 days must pass after the arrest or charge, and the case must have ended with no charges, a dismissal with prejudice, an acquittal, or an expired statute of limitations, counted from arrest or charge
- Idaho: Arrest or summons, never charged: 1 year, counted from date of arrest or summons
Steps after the wait in Nevada
Find your dates
Use the dates on your court papers, not your memory.
Look at the exclusions
Some offenses are never eligible, and a new case can restart or stop the clock.
File when you are ready
Once enough time has passed, see how to file. How to file.
Talk to legal aid
Legal aid can help for free: Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada - Criminal Record Sealing classes and forms clinic and Nevada Legal Services - record sealing forms.
Free legal help in Nevada
Questions about waiting periods in Nevada
Which records can be cleared in Nevada?
Sealing Records After Conviction: Most misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor and felony convictions (category A to E). Sealing After Dismissal, Declined Prosecution or Acquittal: Arrests where charges were dismissed, the prosecutor declined to charge, or you were acquitted. Sealing of Decriminalized Offenses: Convictions for conduct that is no longer a crime, such as possessing small amounts of marijuana before legalization (not traffic offenses). Sealing After Discharge From Deferred Probation: Cases where the court suspended proceedings and placed you on probation, then dismissed the case or set aside the conviction. Sealing After Reentry Program: A single non-violent felony for people who completed a correctional or judicial reentry program.
How long do I have to wait in Nevada?
Misdemeanor (most): 1 year, counted from release from actual custody or end of a suspended sentence, whichever is later; Misdemeanor battery, harassment, stalking or violating a protection order: 2 years, counted from release from actual custody or end of a suspended sentence, whichever is later; Misdemeanor DUI, misdemeanor domestic battery, or Medicaid fraud: 7 years, counted from release from actual custody or end of a suspended sentence, whichever is later; Gross misdemeanor: 2 years, counted from release from actual custody or discharge from probation, whichever is later.
Is there a Clean Slate law in Nevada?
The court seals records without a petition when you finish a deferred-judgment probation or certain specialty court treatment programs; the court and the Central Repository seal records once they receive a certified unconditional pardon; juvenile records are sealed within 60 days after age 18. There is no automatic sealing of ordinary adult convictions.
Who helps for free in Nevada?
Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada - Criminal Record Sealing classes and forms clinic and Nevada Legal Services - record sealing forms.