Sealing is a remedy offered by courts in some states. Sealing means the public and many employers cannot see your criminal record. In some cases, records related to your criminal conviction are destroyed.
Sealing laws are different depending on your state.
To find out about sealing, select the state where your criminal record is located using the drop-down menu below:
Connecticut does not offer "sealing" of criminal history records, but it does offer "expungement," also known as an "Absolute Pardon."
What is Sealing?
Massachusetts offers "sealing" of both adult and juvenile criminal records. Sealing limits accessibility to the criminal history record. Typically, only courts and law enforcement can see a sealed record.
Massachusetts offers two types of sealing:
Who is Eligible for Sealing?
Generally, you are eligible to have a record sealed for misdemeanor and felony convictions, as well as nonconvictions such as not guilty, no bill, no probable cause, dismissal without probation, and nolle prosequi.
You are eligible for administrative sealing of most misdemeanors after waiting three years and most felonies after waiting seven years.
You are eligible for sealing by a court if your case ended with a not-guilty finding, a dismissal, or a nolle prosequi. You are also eligible if you have a first-time drug-possession conviction and did not violate probation or any court-ordered terms.
What Effect Does Sealing Have?
Once a record is sealed, the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) limits access to the record. Landlords and employers cannot see sealed records. Courts, law enforcement, and authorized agencies still have access to sealed records. Courts cannot use a sealed record against you when you apply for sealing in the future. If you seal your record, you may legally deny having the record.
When Can You Apply For Sealing?
Here is when you can apply for administrative sealing:
To apply for a court sealing, waiting periods do not apply.
How Do I Apply for Sealing by Mail?
Here are the five steps to apply for an administrative sealing:
Commissioner of Probation
1 Ashburton Place, Rm. 405
Boston, MA 02150-1612
How Do I Apply for Sealing by a Court?
Here are the seven steps to apply for sealing by a court:
More Information About Sealing
For more information about sealing in Massachusetts, read the "Know Your CORI Rights" booklet. The booklet includes information about the process, links to forms, and other helpful websites. To access the booklet, visit the Greater Boston Legal Services website here: CORI and Juvenile Record Sealing Booklets.
Related Links
Under New Jersey law, the term “sealing” usually means the same thing as “expungement.” While other states may treat the two terms differently, in New Jersey, expungement serves the same purpose as sealing by removing your criminal record from public view. To learn more about sealing your record, see section: New Jersey - Expungement.
What is Sealing?
Sealing means that your record still exists, but all fingerprint and palm print cards, booking photos, and DNA samples related to the sealed case are returned to you or destroyed. Digital fingerprints, even if they are from the sealed case, are not destroyed if you already have fingerprints on file from a different unsealed case. When your case is sealed, records from the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), Police, Prosecutor, and in some cases, court files, are hidden from the public.
Statewide, under the 2017 sealing law, and then amended by the 2024 Clean Slate Act, your record is automatically sealed after a specified amount of time, depending on the type of criminal conviction.
Who is Eligible for Sealing?
Under the Clean Slate Act, all felony and misdemeanor convictions under New York State law are eligible for sealing, including:
1. Cases where you got a good result. This means:
2. Crimes Committed by Children.
3. Crimes committed by Youthful Offenders.
4. Violations and Traffic Infractions, like disorderly conduct and trespass, are partially sealed.
Automatic sealing only applies to criminal convictions under New York state law, and does not apply to federal crimes or convictions from other states.
What Effect Does Sealing Have?
After you have sealed your arrests, prosecutions, and convictions, you do not have to tell an employer about that part of your criminal record, unless a judge orders otherwise.
Sealing means that the record still exists, but all related fingerprint and palm print cards, booking photos, and DNA samples are returned to you or destroyed. (Digital fingerprints are not destroyed if you already have fingerprints on file from a different unsealed case.)
On your RAP sheet, cases that are sealed will be followed by the code “sealed 160.50” or “sealed 160.55” to indicate their status as sealed. When your RAP sheet is sent to employers, commercial reporting agencies, and other outside agencies that not have access to sealed cases, your cases that have been sealed should not appear at all.
When your case is sealed, records are hidden that are related to the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), Police, Prosecutor, and, in some cases, court files, except in these circumstances:
Under the new law, court files may still be accessible within the criminal justice system. This means that anyone who visits the court, including employers, will be able to view the conviction information.
Out-of-state and federal arrests and convictions are not a part of your New York criminal record. New York’s sealing rules have no effect on them. When the DCJS seals a case, they are supposed to notify the FBI to do the same thing. The FBI does not seal cases on its own; it responds to requests from the DCJS. Therefore, ensure that your case is sealed both with DCJS and the FBI.
See section: How to Get Your RAP Sheet
Seals are conditional, meaning that being arrested for another felony or misdemeanor can result in the records being unsealed.
Records cannot be sealed while any charges are pending. If you are arrested or charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense following the sealing of your records, the records automatically become unsealed. If the case is then closed and ruled in your favor, the case will once again be sealed.
How Long Is the Waiting Period Under Clean Slate?
Under Clean Slate, the waiting period begins the day you are sentenced or released from incarceration (whichever is later). During the waiting period, you cannot have any other criminal convictions and must have completed any probation or parole for the conviction being sealed.
What Happens If You Are Convicted Of a New Crime After An Old Conviction Is Sealed?
Once a case is sealed under the Clean Slate Act, it will not be unsealed if you are arrested or convicted again.
What Happens If You Are Convicted Of a New Crime During the Waiting Period?
If you are convicted of another misdemeanor or felony during the waiting period, the time resets. You will have to wait another three or eight years, depending on the conviction.
Traffic infractions and violations are not criminal convictions, and therefore, will not affect your time calculation.
What Jobs Can Access My Sealed Convictions?
Certain types of jobs will be able to access and review your convictions, even if it is sealed. These job exceptions include:
Can Non-Employment Agencies Access My Sealed Records?
The following entities will be able to access your records even if they are sealed:
Do I Need to Take Any Action to Have My Convictions Sealed?
No. Once you meet the basic eligibility requirements, sealing under Clean Slate will happen automatically. There is no application process to complete, and you will not be notified when your record is sealed. New York State has until November 16, 2027, to seal all eligible convictions.
However, if you would like to confirm that your record has been sealed, you may obtain a Certificate of Disposition (CoD). Additionally, if you were formally represented by indigent legal services or are currently represented by such services, the fee for the certificate is waived. Additionally, individuals who can demonstrate that they are low-income may have the fee waived.
Blank Certificate of Disposition
Example Certificate of Disposition
For more information about the Clean Slate Act, click HERE.
What is Sealing?
Pennsylvania offers sealing, also called "limited access." Sealing a record hides it so that it does not show up on background checks for jobs, school, or housing. Most misdemeanor and many felony convictions can be sealed. Often, sealing requires that a petition is filed in court.
In 2018, the "Clean Slate" law expanded opportunities for sealing. Clean Slate is the first law in the nation to automatically seal certain criminal records from public view. Additionally, more types of offenses are now eligible for sealing under this law. This includes some first-degree misdemeanors, which can now be sealed through petitions.
Who is Eligible for Sealing?
Pennsylvania expanded eligibility for sealing under its Clean Slate law.
Most felony and misdemeanor offenses in these categories can be sealed:
Most misdemeanors can be sealed, including:
Here is a partial list of what you cannot seal:
Eligibility rules are complicated. Use the Community Legal Services of Philadelphia’s Clean Slate Screener to find out how to clear your record.
You do not need to pay court costs, fees, or fines to seal your record.
However, if restitution is ordered, it must be paid before your record can be sealed. Restitution is money owed to a victim. To learn more about court debt, click here.
What Effect Does Sealing Have?
Once a record is sealed, only you, your attorney, law enforcement, judges, and some state licensing agencies can see the record. The general public, schools, landlords, and most employers cannot see a sealed record because it is no longer public.
When Can I Apply For Sealing?
The amount of time you have to wait before your record is sealed is determined by what conviction you are trying to seal.
How Do I Apply for Sealing?
There are two ways records are sealed in Pennsylvania: by automatic sealing or by petition sealing. Automatic sealing means the record will be sealed without you needing to do anything. Petition sealing means that a petition must be filed in court.
Your nonconvictions (“Not Guilty” and dropped charges) and summary convictions will be automatically sealed. Your misdemeanor and felony convictions may be sealed automatically, but some require that a petition be filed in court.
If you file a petition, do so with the local court where your case was heard. Each court has different processes to file petitions, so you should contact your local court or legal aid program for more information.
How do I know if my record is sealed?
You still have access to your full criminal record, so you can see what cases were sealed.
First, look up your record using the Clean Slate Screener. A sealed record will not appear when you search, as it is hidden from the public. If your record does not appear, that could mean that your record is sealed.
If you think that your case has been sealed but want to be sure, you can visit the clerk of courts in any Pennsylvania courthouse and ask for a copy of your complete record, including sealed cases. Bring your ID so you can prove who you are.
You can also get an “Access and Review” record by mail from the Pennsylvania State Police. You can download the form here and mail it to the address listed on the form. You will need to send a money order or check for $20, payable to “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania”, as well as a copy of any government-issued photo ID.