How to Clear Your Criminal Record in Massachusetts

What You Need to Know First

Massachusetts uses a system called CORI — Criminal Offender Record Information. Your CORI is your Massachusetts criminal history. When a record is sealed, it is removed from your CORI and most background checks cannot access it. When a record is expunged, it is permanently destroyed and no longer exists.

2024 marijuana pardon: On April 13, 2024, Governor Healey pardoned all misdemeanor marijuana convictions for anyone age 21 or older on that date. A pardon forgives the conviction but does not automatically seal or expunge it. You can still file to seal or expunge a pardoned marijuana conviction for the strongest protection.

Massachusetts has three main pathways for clearing a criminal record. The right one depends on how your case ended and whether you were convicted.

Administrative Sealing — By Mail

M.G.L. § 100A — FREE

Mail a petition to the Massachusetts Probation Service — completely free, no court appearance required. Available for convictions after 3 years (misdemeanor) or 7 years (felony). Probation seals eligible records and mails you a decision letter. The easiest and most common pathway.

Court Sealing — Discretionary

M.G.L. § 100C — NO WAITING PERIOD

For dismissed charges, nolle prosequi, and not guilty verdicts — seal by filing a petition with the court. No waiting period required. Not guilty verdicts are now automatically sealed at disposition. Dismissals require showing the court that substantial justice is served by sealing.

Expungement

M.G.L. § 100E–100K — LIMITED

Permanently destroys the record. Very limited in Massachusetts — available mainly for offenses committed under age 21, no longer criminal offenses, identity theft victims, and cases involving official errors. More restrictive than sealing but provides complete record relief.

What Can — and Can't — Be Sealed

ELIGIBLE FOR SEALING

Most misdemeanor convictions — after 3 years
Most felony convictions — after 7 years
Not guilty verdicts — automatically sealed at disposition
Dismissed charges — court petition, no waiting period
Nolle prosequi (prosecutor dropped case) — court petition
Sex offense convictions — after 15 years (if no registration required)
First-time drug possession — judge may seal immediately
All cases closed — no pending probation, parole, or open cases

NOT ELIGIBLE / RESTRICTIONS

Sex offenses requiring registration — cannot be sealed
Currently on probation or parole — must wait until case closes
Open criminal cases — all cases must be closed first
New conviction restarts the waiting period clock
Federal records — Massachusetts sealing does not automatically remove FBI records

The CORI clock resets. Every new conviction restarts the waiting period. If you have a misdemeanor from 2018 and a second misdemeanor from 2023, you cannot seal the 2018 case until 3 years after the 2023 case closes — not 3 years after 2018.

Waiting Periods

Waiting periods run from the later of: conviction date, or release from jail or prison. The clock also restarts with every new conviction — your most recent conviction controls when you can seal everything.

Not guilty verdict — automatic sealing

Immediately

Dismissed / nolle prosequi — court petition

No wait

Misdemeanor conviction — administrative sealing

3 years

Felony conviction — administrative sealing

7 years

Sex offense (no registration required) — sealing

15 years

How to Seal by Mail — Step by Step

The administrative sealing process is free and done entirely by mail — no court appearance, no attorney required. This is the most common and simplest pathway for people with convictions.

1

Get Your CORI

Request a copy of your Massachusetts criminal history (CORI) from the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) at mass.gov. Review each case carefully — you need to know the offense, date, and how each case ended.

2

Download the Petition to Seal Form

Download the Petition to Seal Conviction Records form from the Massachusetts Trial Court at mass.gov. The form was updated in 2024. Fill it out completely — list every case you want sealed.

3

Mail to the Commissioner of Probation

Mail your completed petition to the Massachusetts Probation Service Commissioner of Probation. The address is on the form. All cases must be closed before mailing — you cannot be on active probation, parole, or have any open cases. There is no filing fee.

4

Receive Your Decision Letter

The Probation Service reviews your petition and mails you a decision letter listing which cases were sealed and which were not yet eligible. For cases not yet eligible, the letter tells you the date to resubmit. Keep this letter — it is your proof of sealing.

5

For Dismissed Cases — File with the Court

For cases that were dismissed or nolle prossed, use the Petition to Seal Non-Conviction Records form and file it with the court where your case was heard. A judge reviews and must find that substantial justice is served by sealing. No waiting period, no filing fee.

Expungement — When It's Available

Expungement permanently destroys the record. It is much more limited than sealing in Massachusetts but provides the strongest protection available. There are two main expungement pathways:

TIME-BASED EXPUNGEMENT (§ 100E–100J)

Offense committed before age 21
No more than 2 records on file (multiple from same incident = 1)
No subsequent arrests or convictions after the eligible offense
Waiting period met — 3 years for misdemeanor, 7 years for felony
Offense is not an excluded offense under § 100J

NON-TIME-BASED EXPUNGEMENT (§ 100K)

Offense is no longer a crime — including past marijuana possession
Record was created due to identity theft or mistaken identity
Case involved police, witness, or court errors
No waiting period required
Must show clear and convincing evidence of the qualifying ground

Expungement exclusions (§ 100J): Time-based expungement is not available for offenses resulting in death or serious bodily injury, offenses committed with a dangerous weapon, OUI/DUI offenses, any felony under Chapter 265 (assault, robbery, murder), or offenses against the elderly or disabled.

Official Forms

Petition to Seal Conviction Records (by mail)

Official form updated February 2024 — mail to the Commissioner of Probation to seal conviction records

Get form at mass.gov →

Petition to Seal Non-Conviction Records (court)

For dismissed charges and nolle prosequi — file with the court where your case was heard

Get form at mass.gov →

Petition for Expungement

For time-based and non-time-based expungement — including marijuana offenses no longer criminal

Get form at mass.gov →

Request Your CORI

Request your Massachusetts criminal history record from DCJIS before filing your petition

Request at mass.gov →

Helpful Resources

FREE LEGAL HELP

Greater Boston Legal Services

Free legal help for low-income Massachusetts residents — including CORI sealing and expungement assistance

gbls.org →

FREE LEGAL HELP

Massachusetts Legal Services

Statewide legal aid network — find free help with sealing and expungement in your area

masslegalservices.org →

HOUSING, FOOD & BENEFITS

findhelp.org

Search thousands of free and reduced-cost programs for housing, food, work, and more in your area

findhelp.org →

JOB SEARCH HELP

American Job Centers

Free job search assistance, resume help, and training — including resources for people with records

careeronestop.org →

OFFICIAL CORI GUIDE

Know Your CORI Rights — GBLS

Free plain English guide to Massachusetts sealing and expungement — updated June 2024

gbls.org →

COURT LOCATIONS

Massachusetts Courts

Find your district court or superior court to file your sealing or expungement petition

mass.gov →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CORI and why does it matter? +

CORI stands for Criminal Offender Record Information — it is Massachusetts' criminal history system. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards in Massachusetts access your CORI when doing background checks. When a record is sealed, it is removed from your CORI and most background check results will show nothing. When a record is expunged, it is permanently destroyed. Understanding your CORI is the starting point for any sealing or expungement in Massachusetts.

Can I seal my record by mail for free? +

Yes — the administrative sealing process is completely free and done by mail. You do not need an attorney or a court appearance. Download the Petition to Seal Conviction Records form from mass.gov, fill it out, and mail it to the Commissioner of Probation. All your cases must be closed first — no active probation, parole, or open cases. Probation will mail you a decision letter with results.

My case was dismissed — can I seal it now? +

Yes — dismissed charges and nolle prosequi cases have no waiting period and can be sealed by filing a Petition to Seal Non-Conviction Records with the court where your case was heard. A judge must find that substantial justice would be served by sealing. Not guilty verdicts are now automatically sealed at the time of disposition — you may not need to do anything for those.

I got the 2024 marijuana pardon. Is my record now sealed? +

No — a pardon forgives the conviction but does not automatically seal or expunge it. Your marijuana conviction may still appear on background checks until you file to seal or expunge it separately. Under § 100K, past marijuana possession offenses that are no longer criminal can be expunged with no waiting period. Filing for expungement gives you the strongest and most complete protection.

Can I say I have "no record" after sealing? +

Yes — if all of your cases are sealed, Massachusetts law allows you to state that you have no record when applying for most jobs, housing, or professional licenses. Sealed records are not accessible to standard background check employers. Exceptions include law enforcement employers, certain government positions, child protective agencies, and federally funded programs.

Will sealing remove my record from the FBI? +

Massachusetts law requires the Commissioner of Probation to notify the FBI when a record is sealed and request that federal records be updated. In practice, the FBI does not always comply with sealing orders for state cases — sealed records may still appear in federal database searches. Expungement provides stronger federal relief. If federal records are a concern — particularly for immigration purposes — consult a Massachusetts attorney.

After Your Record Is Sealed

After sealing in Massachusetts, your CORI will not show the sealed cases to most background check requestors. If all your cases are sealed you can legally state you have no record on most job, housing, and licensing applications.

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Employment

Sealed records do not appear on most employer background checks in Massachusetts. If all your cases are sealed you can legally say you have no record. Massachusetts ban-the-box law restricts when employers can ask about criminal history. Law enforcement employers, certain government positions, and employers working with vulnerable populations may still access sealed records.

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Gun Rights

Sealing under § 100A does not remove state firearm disabilities in Massachusetts. If your conviction resulted in loss of firearm rights, sealing alone does not restore them. Certain individuals may apply to the Firearm Licensing Review Board 5 years after conviction. Consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney about your specific situation before purchasing or possessing a firearm.

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Professional Licensing

Sealed records generally do not appear on standard licensing background checks. Massachusetts licensing boards with only standard CORI access cannot see sealed records. Some regulated professions with higher-level CORI access — healthcare, law, education, childcare — may still see sealed records. Check with the specific licensing board about their access level.

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Federal Records and Immigration

Massachusetts sealing does not automatically remove records from federal databases. The FBI may retain the record despite a sealing order. For immigration purposes, a sealed record still legally exists and must be disclosed to federal immigration authorities. Non-citizens with any conviction should consult an immigration attorney before filing — immigration consequences are not affected by Massachusetts sealing or expungement.

For general information about what changes after expungement — including housing, employment resources, and more — visit our After Expungement page.