How to file to clear a record in Wisconsin

How to ask a Wisconsin court to clear your record, what it costs and which forms to use.

Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.

Short answer

Ask the judge at sentencing; the judge must find that you will benefit and society will not be harmed. If you were on probation or in jail or prison, your probation agent or the institution sends a certificate of discharge to the clerk, and the clerk expunges the record; you do not need to file anything (State v.

Main remedy
Expungement for offenders under 25 (Wis. Stat. § 973.015)
Cost
No fee.
Forms
3

How to file in Wisconsin

Expungement for offenders under 25 (Wis. Stat. § 973.015)

Ask the judge at sentencing; the judge must find that you will benefit and society will not be harmed. If you were on probation or in jail or prison, your probation agent or the institution sends a certificate of discharge to the clerk, and the clerk expunges the record; you do not need to file anything (State v. Hemp, 2014). If no certificate was sent, contact your agent or the institution. If you were not on probation and not jailed (for example, only a fine), file form CR-266 when you have completed the sentence, including paying all court-ordered money. Successful completion means no new conviction, no probation revocation, and all conditions met, including Department of Corrections rules.

Expungement for victims of human trafficking (Wis. Stat. § 973.015(2m))

Petition the court that convicted you.

Law: Wis. Stat. § 973.015(2m), created by 2013 Wisconsin Act 362

Law: Wis. Stat. § 973.015(2m), created by 2013 Wisconsin Act 362

Removal of arrest information from the state repository (Wis. Stat. § 165.84)

Send the Wisconsin DOJ Crime Information Bureau form DJ-LE-250B with your fingerprints (needed to match the arrest card), plus any papers showing dismissal or no prosecution. The FBI is also asked to remove the arrest. This does not remove records held by courts, police or other agencies.

Cost
No fee.

Court self-help

Checklist: what to gather before you file

Who cannot use these remedies in Wisconsin

  • Expungement for offenders under 25 (Wis. Stat. § 973.015): The judge must decide at sentencing; you cannot ask for expungement later (State v. Matasek, 2014; State v. Arberry, 2018). A Class H or Class I felony is not eligible if you have a prior felony conviction or if it is a "violent offense" under § 301.048(2)(bm). Also excluded: Class H felonies of stalking, physical abuse of a child and sexual assault of a student by a school staff person; and the Class I felony of hiding the death of a child. Felonies above Class H, civil forfeitures (such as most traffic and ordinance tickets), dismissed charges and acquittals cannot be expunged by the court.
  • Removal of arrest information from the state repository (Wis. Stat. § 165.84): A conviction (even an expunged one) cannot be removed from the repository.

Law: Wis. Stat. § 973.015(1m); Wis. Stat. § 165.84(1)

After your record is cleared

After expungement, the court seals the case file and a search of the public court website (WCCA) will not show the case. The conviction is not vacated: it stays in the DOJ criminal history repository, which anyone can search for a fee, and in records of police, prosecutors, the DOT and other agencies.

Source: Wisconsin court system brochure; form CR-266

Get your own record in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Department of Justice, Crime Information Bureau (Wisconsin Criminal History Repository) · 608-266-7314

Anyone can request adult criminal history online through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS, recordcheck.doj.wi.gov) for a fee. To fix errors, use DOJ's record challenge process.

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

In nearby states

  • Michigan: $50 processing fee to the Michigan State Police with the fingerprint card.
  • Minnesota: $310 civil filing fee.
  • Iowa: You must attach an Iowa DCI criminal history record check, which costs $15.

What to do now in Wisconsin

  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.

  3. Turn in the petition

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

Free help in Wisconsin

Questions about filing in Wisconsin

What is the waiting period in Wisconsin?

Eligible offense, judge ordered expungement at sentencing: No waiting period, counted from successful completion of the sentence.

What is the filing fee in Wisconsin?

Removal of arrest information from the state repository: No fee.

Where do I get my own record in Wisconsin?

Anyone can request adult criminal history online through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS, recordcheck.doj.wi.gov) for a fee. To fix errors, use DOJ's record challenge process.

Is there free help to clear a record in Wisconsin?

WisLawHelp (Wisconsin legal aid information) and Legal Action of Wisconsin.

Keep reading about Wisconsin