What is Expungement?
Connecticut offers expungement, also known as an “absolute pardon.” Once you are granted an absolute pardon, all police and court records about your case are erased. The state destroys all of your court records. The state may not share this information with anyone, including law enforcement.
Who is Eligible for Expungement?
Under the Clean Slate law, certain state criminal convictions are supposed to be automatically erased. The law requires automatic erasure of eligible offenses that occurred on or after January 1, 2000. The law became effective in 2023; however, implementation has been delayed, and automatic erasure of eligible connections began in January 2024. Under Clean Slate, you qualify for an automatic expungement if:
- You have completed your sentence and supervised release for the crime you’re asking the court to erase, AND for any charges you were convicted of in Connecticut state court on or after January 1, 2000.
- You were convicted of a misdemeanor (except family violence and sex crimes), and it has been 7 years since your most recent conviction.
- You committed a Class D, Class E, and/or unclassified felony conviction (except family violence and sex crimes), and it has been 10 years since your most recent conviction.
You are eligible to request an Absolute Pardon if:
- You have a criminal record in Connecticut
- It has been 3 years since your last misdemeanor conviction
- It has been 5 years since your previous felony conviction
- You are not on parole or probation
- You have not had a nolle (dismissal of criminal charges) in the past 13 months, and
- You do not have any pending charges or other open cases against you in any other jurisdiction, state, or federal.
What effect does expungement have?
All police and court records related to your case are erased after expungement. Your expunged record cannot be shared with anyone, including law enforcement, and the state is required to destroy the record. You may legally deny the arrest and/or conviction.
When can I apply for Expungement?
You can apply for an expungement or absolute pardon 3 years after the date of your most recent misdemeanor conviction and/or 5 years after the date of your most recent felony conviction.
How do I apply for an Absolute Pardon?
- Determine if you are eligible for a pardon.
- Read the Frequently Asked Questions section of the BOPP website.
- Obtain all documents outlined in the ‘Documents Required for Absolute Pardon Application’ section above.
- Compile any additional documents you want to include with your Absolute Pardon Application. Please make sure documents don't have extensive formatting and special symbols.
- Ensure all documents you will be submitting with your Absolute Pardon Application are in one of the following formats: .jpeg, .pdf, or .png.
- Utilize Microsoft Edge to complete your application. (You can download the Microsoft Edge web browser for free online if you do not already have it installed on your device.)
- Apply for an Absolute Pardon by visiting the Board’s ePardons Portal below.
How Do I Apply for Expungement?
Here are the six steps to apply for an expungement, also known as an absolute pardon, in Connecticut:
- Determine if you are eligible for an absolute pardon.
- Collect all of the documentation that must accompany the Absolute Pardon application. To access the forms, visit the Connecticut Board of Pardons & Paroles website here: State of Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles.
- "Application for a Connecticut Absolute Pardon." The application will ask for your name and contact information, family information, criminal history, educational background, military records, employment history, substance abuse and treatment information, and volunteer or charitable activities.
- "Background Investigation Authorization" form. The Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles will conduct a background check and review personal information such as personnel records, employment records, criminal records, and education records. They will also contact your friends, family members, employers, and others.
- Identify three references to complete the "Absolute Reference Questionnaire" forms. Credible references may include church leaders, employers, co-workers, and teachers. Only one reference may come from a family member who is related to you by blood or marriage.
- Get the completed "Absolute Reference Questionnaire" form from the references. References may attach a dated and signed letter to the Questionnaire. They must indicate they understand you are applying for an absolute pardon and complete the remainder of the form, including a signature and date. The form must be completed within one year of your application.
- Obtain the police reports for arrests that resulted in convictions within the last 10 years, or letters from the arresting police department stating the reports no longer exist. Make sure to mention all of your convictions on your application, even those you received in other states. To obtain a police report for an arrest/conviction that occurred in another state, contact the arresting agency from that state. If you do not remember the details of an arrest or conviction that occurred in the last 10 years, get a copy of your criminal history record.
- Obtain and submit a probation letter with the docket number(s), completion date(s), and probation completion status for each period of probation served.
- Submit your "Report of Separation" from military service or a photocopy of your Uniformed Services ID (USID) Card if you previously served in the military. For more information about how to obtain your Report of Separation, visit the National Archives website here: Veterans' Service Records. For information on how to obtain a Uniformed Services ID (USID) Card, visit the Department of Defense website here: DoD Common Access Card.
- Submit a photocopy of your current, non-expired Driver’s License or State Identification Card.
- Submit proof of employment or sources of income, such as unemployment or disability payments, recent W-2 forms, and letters from sources of financial support.
- Complete the "Statistical and Research Information Sheet." This is an optional form that requests race/ethnic data for research and statistical purposes only. It is not given to the Board members and has no impact on whether your application will be granted.
- Include any other additional documentation that you would like the Board to consider when evaluating your application, such as certificates, resumes, or work evaluations.
- Write a personal statement to the board. This is not required, but it is suggested. Make sure to include accountability for the crime and demonstrate that you understand the effects the crime had on the victim and society. Include all of your positive accomplishments since your last conviction, such as educational achievements, employment, marriage or children, community involvement, charitable services or donations, and law-abiding behavior.
- Make a copy of the completed application and supporting documentation for your records.
- Mail or upload the completed application and supporting documentation using the ePardons Portal. To access the ePardons portal, visit the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Parole website here: State of Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles.
- Wait to be contacted.
More Information About Expungement
For more information about expungement or an absolute pardon, call the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles at (203) 805-6643