Sealing or expungement of dismissed, not-guilty and no-bill cases (R.C. 2953.33) in Ohio: which records can be cleared
Which records Ohio lets you clear, who is not eligible and what changes after the court says yes.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.
Short answer
In Ohio it is called sealing and expungement: sealing hides the record from the public and most employers and landlords. Some misdemeanor and felony convictions may be cleared.
- Main remedy
- Sealing or expungement of dismissed, not-guilty and no-bill cases (R.C. 2953.33)
- What it covers
- Cases that ended in a not-guilty finding or dismissal, grand jury no-bills, and convictions pardoned by the governor (sealing only)
- Ways to clear a record
- 4
Which records can be cleared in Ohio
Sealing and expungement — Sealing hides the record from the public and most employers and landlords, but it still exists and some employers, licensing boards, police and courts can see it. Expungement goes further: the record is permanently destroyed, except that the state Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) keeps a copy only for law enforcement hiring.
Ohio has 4 ways to clear a record. Each covers different records and has its own waiting period.
Sealing or expungement of dismissed, not-guilty and no-bill cases (R.C. 2953.33)
Cases that ended in a not-guilty finding or dismissal, grand jury no-bills, and convictions pardoned by the governor (sealing only)
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Found not guilty or case dismissed | No waiting period You can apply at any time after the case ends. | The not-guilty finding or dismissal |
Grand jury no bill | 2 years You can apply 2 years after the grand jury returned a no bill. | The date the grand jury reported the no bill |
- Not eligible
- Expungement (not sealing) is not available for dismissed or no-billed cases involving traffic and motor vehicle offenses, felony offenses of violence, registrable sex offenses, victims under 13, first- or second-degree felonies, domestic violence or protection-order violations, and some third-degree felonies.
Law: Ohio Rev. Code § 2953.33
Source: Official text
Sealing or expungement of convictions (R.C. 2953.32)
Misdemeanor convictions, and felony convictions of the third, fourth or fifth degree; misdemeanor bail forfeitures; out-of-state and federal convictions can be filed in a common pleas court
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Minor misdemeanor – seal or expunge | 6 months You can apply 6 months after final discharge. | Final discharge (end of jail, probation, parole or post-release control, and payment of fines) |
Misdemeanor – seal or expunge | 1 year You can apply 1 year after final discharge. | Final discharge |
Fourth- or fifth-degree felony (not a felony offense of violence) – seal | 1 year You can apply to seal 1 year after final discharge. | Final discharge |
One or two third-degree felonies – seal | 3 years You can apply to seal 3 years after final discharge. | Final discharge |
Felony – expunge | 10 years You can apply to expunge a felony 10 years after you could first apply to seal it (11 years after discharge for a 4th/5th degree felony, 13 years for a 3rd degree felony). | The date you first became eligible to seal that felony |
Sex offense, after registration ends – seal | 5 years You can apply to seal 5 years after your registration duties end or are terminated. | The end of the registration requirement |
Soliciting improper compensation (R.C. 2921.43) – seal | 7 years You can apply to seal 7 years after final discharge. | Final discharge |
- Not eligible
- First- and second-degree felonies; felony offenses of violence (other than sex offenses); sex offenses while you must still register; offenses where the victim was under 13 (except nonsupport); theft in office; first- or second-degree misdemeanor domestic violence; most traffic and motor vehicle offenses (R.C. chapters 4506, 4507, 4510, 4511, 4549). Third-degree felonies are excluded if you have more than one other felony, or if you have two third-degree felonies plus more than two misdemeanors. Third- and fourth-degree misdemeanor domestic violence and protection-order violations can be sealed but not expunged. Bail forfeitures in misdemeanor cases can also be sealed (any time) or expunged (after 1 year, or 6 months for a minor misdemeanor). You cannot be granted relief while a criminal case is pending.
- Limits
- No set lifetime number for misdemeanors and 4th/5th degree felonies; the third-degree felony counting rule above applies. Convictions from the same act, or related acts in one case within three months, may count as one.
Law: Ohio Rev. Code §§ 2953.31, 2953.32, 2953.34; R.C. 2921.41
Source: Official text
Prosecutor-initiated sealing or expungement of low-level drug convictions (R.C. 2953.39)
Drug convictions under R.C. chapter 2925 (or a similar city ordinance) that were misdemeanors of the fourth degree or minor misdemeanors
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Fourth-degree misdemeanor or minor misdemeanor drug conviction | See the rule The prosecutor may apply once the normal sealing or expungement waiting period has passed. | Final discharge, using the same waiting periods as R.C. 2953.32 |
Law: Ohio Rev. Code § 2953.39
Source: Official text
Expungement of marijuana and hashish possession offenses (R.C. 2953.321)
Convictions, guilty pleas and dismissed charges, from before March 20, 2026, for minor-misdemeanor possession of marijuana, possession of hashish under 2925.11(C)(7)(a) or (b), or possession of hashish under (C)(7)(c) or (d) involving not more than 15 grams
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Eligible marijuana or hashish possession case | No waiting period You can apply at any time on or after March 20, 2026. | March 20, 2026 (effective date of the law) |
Law: Ohio Rev. Code § 2953.321 (S.B. 56, 136th G.A.)
Source: Official text
What you can say afterwards
After a conviction is sealed or expunged, you may be asked on job, license and other applications only about convictions that are not sealed, unless the question bears a direct and substantial relationship to the job. For dismissed, not-guilty and no-bill cases sealed or expunged under R.C. 2953.33, you may not be asked about them at all and may answer as if the arrest and case never happened. Exceptions: certain jobs (such as law enforcement and work with children or vulnerable adults) and some licensing boards can see sealed records, and a sealed conviction can be used in sentencing for a later crime.
Law: R.C. 2953.34(N)(2); R.C. 2953.34(L); R.C. 2953.32(D)(2)(b)
Marijuana records in Ohio
Since March 20, 2026, people with pre-March 20, 2026 convictions, guilty pleas or dismissed charges for minor-misdemeanor marijuana possession (under 100 grams), or for small hashish possession (including felony-level hashish possession of up to 15 grams), can apply to the sentencing court to have the records expunged (destroyed). There is no waiting period. The fee is $50 unless you are indigent.
Law: S.B. 56, 136th General Assembly; Ohio Rev. Code § 2953.321
Juvenile records in Ohio
The juvenile court must promptly seal records in many cases, for example when a case ends without a complaint, is dismissed, or after successful diversion, and you can apply to seal other juvenile records. Sealed juvenile records are expunged automatically 5 years after the sealing order or at age 23, whichever comes first. Records of delinquency for aggravated murder, murder or rape cannot be sealed.
Law: Ohio Rev. Code §§ 2151.356, 2151.358
Pardons in Ohio
- Who decides
- Governor of Ohio, after a recommendation from the Ohio Parole Board (Adult Parole Authority)
- How
- Download and complete the Application for Executive Clemency and mail it with all required documents to the Adult Parole Authority. The Parole Board decides whether to hold a hearing and makes a recommendation to the Governor. A pardon seals the record as provided in R.C. 2967.04(C). An Expedited Pardon Project (through the University of Akron School of Law) is open to people with no new convictions for 10 years who finished their sentence at least 10 years ago and have no prohibited offenses.
Law: Ohio Const. art. III, § 11; Ohio Rev. Code §§ 2967.04, 2967.07
In nearby states
- West Virginia: Expungement
- Indiana: Expungement (sealing) and "marked as expunged"
- Kentucky: Expungement (felonies: vacate and expunge)
- Pennsylvania: Expungement; limited access (including Clean Slate automatic limited access)
Your next steps in Ohio
Get your own record
Your record lists each case; you need it to see which remedy fits. Ohio Legal Help – How to seal or expunge a criminal record and Ohio Legal Help – How to find your criminal records.
Count the waiting period
Each kind of case has its own waiting period. Waiting periods.
Start the case
You file the request in the court that handled the case. How to file.
Free legal help in Ohio
Questions about clearing a record in Ohio
What is the legal term in Ohio?
Sealing and expungement. Sealing hides the record from the public and most employers and landlords, but it still exists and some employers, licensing boards, police and courts can see it. Expungement goes further: the record is permanently destroyed, except that the state Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) keeps a copy only for law enforcement hiring.
Which records can be cleared in Ohio?
Sealing or expungement of dismissed, not-guilty and no-bill cases: Cases that ended in a not-guilty finding or dismissal, grand jury no-bills, and convictions pardoned by the governor (sealing only). Sealing or expungement of convictions: Misdemeanor convictions, and felony convictions of the third, fourth or fifth degree; misdemeanor bail forfeitures; out-of-state and federal convictions can be filed in a common pleas court. Prosecutor-initiated sealing or expungement of low-level drug convictions: Drug convictions under R.C. chapter 2925 (or a similar city ordinance) that were misdemeanors of the fourth degree or minor misdemeanors. Expungement of marijuana and hashish possession offenses: Convictions, guilty pleas and dismissed charges, from before March 20, 2026, for minor-misdemeanor possession of marijuana, possession of hashish under 2925.11(C)(7)(a) or (b), or possession of hashish under (C)(7)(c) or (d) involving not more than 15 grams.
Can a marijuana record be cleared in Ohio?
Since March 20, 2026, people with pre-March 20, 2026 convictions, guilty pleas or dismissed charges for minor-misdemeanor marijuana possession (under 100 grams), or for small hashish possession (including felony-level hashish possession of up to 15 grams), can apply to the sentencing court to have the records expunged (destroyed). There is no waiting period. The fee is $50 unless you are indigent.
What happens to juvenile records in Ohio?
The juvenile court must promptly seal records in many cases, for example when a case ends without a complaint, is dismissed, or after successful diversion, and you can apply to seal other juvenile records. Sealed juvenile records are expunged automatically 5 years after the sealing order or at age 23, whichever comes first. Records of delinquency for aggravated murder, murder or rape cannot be sealed.
What changes after a record is cleared in Ohio?
After a conviction is sealed or expunged, you may be asked on job, license and other applications only about convictions that are not sealed, unless the question bears a direct and substantial relationship to the job. For dismissed, not-guilty and no-bill cases sealed or expunged under R.C. 2953.33, you may not be asked about them at all and may answer as if the arrest and case never happened. Exceptions: certain jobs (such as law enforcement and work with children or vulnerable adults) and some licensing boards can see sealed records, and a sealed conviction can be used in sentencing for a later crime.