How long you wait to clear a record in Ohio
When you can ask to clear a record in Ohio.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.
Short answer
These are the waiting periods in Ohio law. Each one runs from a set event, like the end of your sentence.
- Main remedy
- Sealing or expungement of dismissed, not-guilty and no-bill cases (R.C. 2953.33)
- Waiting periods
- Found not guilty or case dismissed: No waiting period, counted from the not-guilty finding or dismissal
Grand jury no bill: 2 years, counted from the date the grand jury reported the no bill
Minor misdemeanor – seal or expunge: 6 months, counted from final discharge (end of jail, probation, parole or post-release control, and payment of fines)
When can I file in Ohio?
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 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
Waiting periods: 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
Source: Official text
Waiting periods: 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
Waiting periods: 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
In nearby states
- West Virginia: Acquittal or dismissal: File no sooner than 60 days after the acquittal or dismissal, counted from order of acquittal or dismissal
- Indiana: Arrest, charge dismissed or acquitted (petition): 1 year, counted from the date of arrest, charge or juvenile allegation, whichever is later
- Kentucky: Acquittal or dismissal with prejudice, petition: If your case was not expunged automatically, you can petition 60 days after the acquittal or dismissal with prejudice, counted from the order of acquittal or dismissal
Steps after the wait in Ohio
Find your dates
Your court papers show when the case ended and when your sentence was done.
Read the full rule
Exclusions and new offenses can matter more than the wait.
Get the forms
After the wait, the next step is the petition. How to file.
Free legal help in Ohio
Questions about waiting periods in Ohio
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.
What is the waiting period in Ohio?
Found not guilty or case dismissed: No waiting period, counted from the not-guilty finding or dismissal; Grand jury no bill: 2 years, counted from the date the grand jury reported the no bill; Minor misdemeanor – seal or expunge: 6 months, counted from final discharge (end of jail, probation, parole or post-release control, and payment of fines); Misdemeanor – seal or expunge: 1 year, counted from final discharge.
Is there free help to clear a record in Ohio?
Ohio Legal Help – find local legal aid and record-sealing clinics and Ohio Justice & Policy Center – Second Chance program.