How to file to clear a record in Utah

Where and how you file in Utah, the fee and the official forms.

Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.

Short answer

Apply to the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) for a certificate of eligibility (fingerprints required). Then file a petition in the court where the case was filed (or, if no charges were filed, the district court in the county of arrest).

Main remedy
Petition for expungement of an arrest, investigation or detention (no conviction)
Cost
BCI application fee $65 (non-refundable). No BCI certificate issuance fee for dismissals, acquittals or declined cases (except dismissals after a plea in abeyance or diversion).
Forms
6

How to file in Utah

Petition for expungement of an arrest, investigation or detention (no conviction)

Apply to the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) for a certificate of eligibility (fingerprints required). Then file a petition in the court where the case was filed (or, if no charges were filed, the district court in the county of arrest). The prosecutor and any victim can object; if anyone objects there is a hearing. If no objection is received within 60 days, the judge may grant it without a hearing.

Cost
BCI application fee $65 (non-refundable). No BCI certificate issuance fee for dismissals, acquittals or declined cases (except dismissals after a plea in abeyance or diversion). Court filing fee for a petition for expungement: $150.
If you can't pay
If you cannot afford the fees, ask the court to waive them with the Motion to Waive Fees for Expungement (Criminal). BCI will let you apply for the certificate without the issuance fee if you indicate you expect the court to waive its fee.

Law: Utah Code 78A-2-301(1)(i); Utah Code 77-40a-304(3)

Petition for expungement of a conviction

Apply to BCI for a certificate of eligibility (valid 180 days), then file a petition in the court where the case was filed, citing the certificate number. The prosecutor has 35 days and any victim 60 days to object. If anyone objects, the court holds a hearing. The judge must find by clear and convincing evidence that the requirements are met and that granting it would not harm the public interest.

Cost
BCI application fee $65 plus a $65 certificate fee for each conviction or plea in abeyance case. Court filing fee $150 per petition.
If you can't pay
Motion to Waive Fees for Expungement (Criminal) in court. If one court waived your fee within the last 180 days, a later court must waive it on request.

Law: Utah Code 78A-2-301(1)(i); Utah Code 77-40a-305(12)

Petition to expunge a traffic case without a certificate of eligibility

File a petition directly in the court where the traffic case was filed; no BCI certificate is needed.

Cost
Court filing fee for a petition for expungement: $150.
If you can't pay
Motion to Waive Fees for Expungement (Criminal).

Law: Utah Code 78A-2-301(1)(i)

Court self-help

Checklist: what to gather before you file

Who cannot use these remedies in Utah

  • Petition for expungement of an arrest, investigation or detention (no conviction): You cannot get a certificate if you have a pending misdemeanor or felony case, a pending plea in abeyance (other than traffic), you are in jail or prison or on probation or parole (other than for an infraction, traffic or minor regulatory offense), or a criminal protective order or stalking injunction is in effect for the case.
  • Petition for expungement of a conviction: Capital felonies; first degree felonies; violent felonies as defined in 76-3-203.5(1)(c)(i); felony DUI; offenses requiring registration as a sex, kidnap or child abuse offender (with a narrow exception for some offenses committed at age 14-17). You are also ineligible while a case is pending, while in custody or on probation or parole, or while a civil or criminal protective order or stalking injunction against you is in effect. All court-ordered fines, interest and restitution must be paid in full.
  • Petition to expunge a traffic case without a certificate of eligibility: Not available if you have another traffic case or traffic plea in abeyance pending, or you are on probation for a traffic case.

Law: Utah Code 77-40a-301, 77-40a-302, 77-40a-304, 77-40a-305, 77-40a-306; Utah Code 77-40a-303, 77-40a-304, 77-40a-305, 77-40a-306; Utah Code 77-40a-305(3)

What changes afterwards

After the expungement order, you may answer any question as though the arrest, investigation, detention, prosecution or conviction did not occur, unless another law or a court says otherwise. Exceptions: certain agencies (Board of Pardons and Parole, POST, the State Board of Education, federal authorities when federal law requires, judicial-applicant investigations) can see expunged records, and a prosecutor can ask a court to open them if you are later charged with a felony or an offense that can be enhanced.

Law: Utah Code 77-40a-401(5), 77-40a-403

Get your own record in Utah

Utah Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) · (801) 965-4445

Request your own Utah criminal history (Right of Access) from BCI with valid ID; the fee is $20 since July 1, 2025. To see what has been automatically or petition-expunged, use the Expungement Verification Application ($15).

Letter: ask the state records office for a copy of your record

In nearby states

  • Nevada: Court filing fees vary by court: e.g. $74 in Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas Justice Courts, $270 in the Eighth Judicial District Court; $71 in Sparks Justice Court (Washoe County).
  • Colorado: No fees or costs.
  • Wyoming: No filing fee (W.S. 7-13-1401(e)).

Your next steps in Utah

  1. Collect what you need

    You need your case numbers, court papers and proof you finished your sentence. Checklist: what to gather before you file.

  2. Prepare the petition

    Official forms and instructions: Utah Courts: Expunging Adult Criminal Records and Utah BCI: Expungements.

  3. File and serve

    After you file, the prosecutor may respond and the court decides.

Where to get free help in Utah

Questions about filing in Utah

When can I ask to clear my record in 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; Charge dismissed without prejudice: If a charge was dismissed without prejudice, you need the prosecutor's written consent, or you wait 180 days after the dismissal, counted from dismissal; Case that also has a class C misdemeanor or infraction traffic conviction: 3 years, counted from traffic conviction; Case that also has a class B misdemeanor traffic conviction: 4 years, counted from traffic conviction.

What is the filing fee in Utah?

Petition for expungement of an arrest, investigation or detention (no conviction): BCI application fee $65 (non-refundable). No BCI certificate issuance fee for dismissals, acquittals or declined cases (except dismissals after a plea in abeyance or diversion). Court filing fee for a petition for expungement: $150. Petition for expungement of a conviction: BCI application fee $65 plus a $65 certificate fee for each conviction or plea in abeyance case. Court filing fee $150 per petition. Petition to expunge a traffic case without a certificate of eligibility: Court filing fee for a petition for expungement: $150.

How can I see my Utah record?

Request your own Utah criminal history (Right of Access) from BCI with valid ID; the fee is $20 since July 1, 2025. To see what has been automatically or petition-expunged, use the Expungement Verification Application ($15).

Is there free help to clear a record in Utah?

Utah Legal Services, Clean Slate Utah (Fresh Start screening and intake) and Utah Courts: Legal Clinics.

Keep reading about Utah