How to Clear Your Criminal Record in Oklahoma

What You Need to Know First

Oklahoma's Clean Slate automatic expungement launched November 1, 2025. Three years after the Clean Slate law was signed, automatic sealing of eligible records began. An estimated 100,000 Oklahomans are eligible. No petition required for qualifying records. The prosecutor has 45 days to object. Check your OSBI criminal history to see if your record has been automatically sealed.

Oklahoma expungement means sealing — not destruction. When records are expunged in Oklahoma, they are sealed from public view. Most expunged records are not visible on standard background checks. However records are retained in the OSBI repository for limited research and statistical purposes. After 10 years from the expungement order, records may be obliterated or destroyed.

Two types of expungement — know the difference. Oklahoma has two main expungement pathways that do very different things. A Section 18 expungement seals both arrest and court records. A Section 991(c) expungement only updates the court record to show dismissal — it does NOT seal the arrest record from background checks. Many people get a 991(c) and don't realize their OSBI arrest record is still showing up.

Oklahoma has three main pathways for clearing a criminal record. The right one depends on your offense type and how your case was resolved.

Section 18 — Full Expungement

SEALS ARREST + COURT RECORDS

The most comprehensive relief. Seals both your arrest record and court records from public view. File a petition in district court. Serves all three major agencies — district attorney, arresting agency, and OSBI. Most employers and landlords cannot see sealed records.

Section 991(c) — Deferred Sentence

COURT RECORD ONLY — NOT ARREST

For deferred sentences only. Updates the court record to show the case was dismissed. Removes the case from OSCN and ODCR public view. Does NOT seal the arrest record from OSBI background checks. Must also file a Section 18 to complete the job.

Clean Slate — Automatic

SINCE NOV. 2025 — NO PETITION

Automatic sealing for eligible records without a petition. Prosecutor has 45 days to object. Applies to arrested-only records, dismissed cases, some misdemeanors, and pardoned convictions. No individual notification currently required. Check your OSBI record.

Who Qualifies Under Section 18

Oklahoma's Section 18 has a detailed list of qualifying categories. Here are the most commonly applicable ones. The full list has 15+ categories — if you're not sure where you fit, request your OSBI record first and consult the statute or an attorney.

ELIGIBLE — COMMON CATEGORIES

Arrested — no charges filed and statute of limitations expired
Acquitted after trial
Conviction reversed and charge dismissed by court
Full pardon from the Governor
Charges dismissed — statute of limitations for refiling expired
Misdemeanor deferred sentence completed — after 1 year
Misdemeanor fine only (under $501), no jail — immediately after fine paid
Misdemeanor with jail or suspended sentence — after 5 years
Nonviolent felony conviction (single felony) — after 5 years
Up to two felony convictions (non-violent, not on § 13.1 list) — after 10 years
Nonviolent felony reclassified as misdemeanor — after 30 days
DNA evidence established factual innocence

NOT ELIGIBLE FOR EXPUNGEMENT

Violent felony convictions (listed in 57 O.S. § 571)
Sex offenses requiring registration
Offenses listed in 21 O.S. § 13.1 (for two-felony pathway)
Pending felony or misdemeanor charges
Unpaid restitution to victims
Incomplete treatment programs ordered by the court
Second or later felony conviction (for single-felony pathway)

Waiting Periods — Section 18

Waiting periods run from completion of sentence — including all probation, fines, restitution, and treatment programs. No pending charges are allowed. The judge weighs whether the harm to your privacy outweighs the public interest in keeping the record open.

Arrest — no charges, statute expired / DA declined

Immediately

Acquittal / dismissal / conviction reversed

Immediately

Misdemeanor fine only (under $501) — no jail

After fine paid

Misdemeanor deferred sentence completed

1 year

Misdemeanor with jail or suspended sentence

5 years

Nonviolent felony conviction (single)

5 years

Up to two nonviolent felony convictions

10 years

How to File a Section 18 Petition — Step by Step

1

Get Your OSBI Criminal History Report

Request your official criminal history from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation at osbi.ok.gov. This is the first essential step — your OSBI record shows everything and confirms exactly what charges and dispositions are on your record before you file. Review it carefully before doing anything else.

2

File the Petition in District Court

File your expungement petition in the district court in the county where the charge was filed. Oklahoma Courts Network (OSCN) provides expungement petition forms at oscn.net. Reference the correct statute paragraph — using the wrong subsection can cause delays or denial. Filing fees vary by county.

3

Serve Three Agencies

Before your hearing you must serve copies of your petition on three parties: the District Attorney, the arresting agency (the law enforcement agency that arrested you), and the OSBI. Keep proof of service for each. All three must be properly notified for the expungement to be valid and for records to be sealed at all agencies.

4

Attend the Hearing

The court schedules a hearing where the judge reviews your petition. The judge must find that you meet the statutory requirements and that the harm to your privacy outweighs the public interest in keeping the record open. If no party objects and you meet the criteria, hearings are usually straightforward. Most Oklahoma expungements take 30 to 90 days from filing to completion.

5

Send Certified Copies of the Order

After the judge signs the expungement order, send a certified copy to each party you served — the District Attorney, the arresting agency, and OSBI. Each agency must then update their records to reflect the expungement. Keep your own certified copy of the order — it's your proof that the expungement was granted.

Official Forms

OSCN — Expungement Petition Forms

Official Oklahoma expungement petition forms from the Oklahoma Courts Network

Visit oscn.net →

OSBI — Criminal History Request

Request your official Oklahoma criminal history from the OSBI before filing your petition

Visit osbi.ok.gov →

Oklahoma Legal Aid — Expungement Guide

Free comprehensive Q&A guide to expungement eligibility and process from Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma

Visit oklaw.org →

Find Your Oklahoma District Court

Find the district court in the county where your charges were filed to file your petition

Visit oscn.net →

Helpful Resources

FREE LEGAL HELP

Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma

Free civil legal help for low-income Oklahomans — including expungement guidance and self-help resources statewide

oklaw.org →

FREE LEGAL HELP

Oklahoma Appleseed

Oklahoma criminal justice reform and reentry resources — including expungement information and advocacy

okappleseed.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 →

CLEAN SLATE INFO

Oklahoma Clean Slate Updates

Track implementation of Oklahoma's Clean Slate automatic expungement law and check eligibility

osbi.ok.gov →

COURT RECORDS

Oklahoma Courts Network (OSCN)

Look up your Oklahoma court record — verify case dispositions and whether any expungements are reflected

oscn.net →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a Section 18 and Section 991(c) expungement? +

This is one of the most important distinctions in Oklahoma expungement law. A Section 18 expungement seals both your arrest record AND your court records — meaning neither will show up on OSBI background checks used by most employers and landlords. A Section 991(c) expungement only updates the court record to show that the deferred sentence case was dismissed — it does NOT seal the arrest record from OSBI background checks. Many people get a 991(c) and then discover their OSBI record still shows the arrest. If you had a deferred sentence, you need both a 991(c) AND a Section 18 to fully clean your record.

Was my record automatically expunged under Clean Slate? +

Oklahoma's Clean Slate automatic expungement began November 1, 2025 — three years after the law was signed. An estimated 100,000 Oklahomans are eligible. The process does not require you to file anything — the prosecutor identifies eligible records and the court seals them after a 45-day objection period. However, there is currently no requirement to notify individuals whose records have been automatically expunged. Request your OSBI criminal history to verify whether your record has been sealed. If it hasn't but you believe you qualify, consult an attorney.

Can a felony be expunged in Oklahoma? +

Yes — for nonviolent felonies. If you have one nonviolent felony conviction not on the violent felony list (57 O.S. § 571), you can petition to expunge it after 5 years with no other felony convictions and no pending charges. If you have up to two nonviolent felony convictions not listed in 21 O.S. § 13.1 and not sex offenses requiring registration, you can petition after 10 years. Violent felony convictions and sex offenses are permanently ineligible.

What is the difference between fully sealed and partially sealed? +

Oklahoma's 2024 law created two levels of sealing. A fully sealed expunged record is not available to the public OR to law enforcement — only designated OSBI employees can access it for research purposes. A partially sealed expunged record is not available to the public but remains available to law enforcement agencies for law enforcement purposes. The level of sealing depends on the category under which you qualify. For most conviction expungements, records are partially sealed — meaning law enforcement can still access them even after expungement.

Does expungement restore my gun rights in Oklahoma? +

A 2025 bill (HB 2054, effective November 1, 2025) added a significant new provision: persons who receive a felony conviction expungement may have their firearm rights restored, allowing them to possess firearms, apply for and carry handguns, and perform duties as a peace officer or gunsmith. This is a major change from prior law. However federal law applies independently — consult a licensed Oklahoma attorney before purchasing or possessing any firearm if you have a felony conviction history.

Do I need an attorney? +

Not required — Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma provides free guides and assistance for those who qualify. For simple dismissed charge or arrested-only expungements, many people file successfully on their own using OSCN forms. For felony expungements, cases with complex histories, or where you need to navigate the Section 18 vs. 991(c) distinction, working with an Oklahoma attorney is strongly recommended. Oklahoma expungement law has 15+ categories with specific conditions — errors in citing the wrong subsection can cause delays or denial.

After Your Record Is Expunged

After expungement in Oklahoma, your records are sealed from public view. Most employers and landlords cannot see sealed records on standard background checks. You may deny the existence of the record on most applications.

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Employment

Section 18 expunged records are sealed from OSBI public background checks. Most employers conducting standard background checks will not see them. You may deny the conviction on most private job applications. Law enforcement agencies retain access to partially sealed records. Fully sealed records are inaccessible to everyone except designated OSBI research staff.

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Gun Rights

Under the 2025 HB 2054 law (effective November 1, 2025), persons who receive a felony conviction expungement may have firearm rights restored. This is a major change — previously expungement did not restore gun rights in Oklahoma. Federal law applies independently. Consult a licensed Oklahoma attorney before purchasing or possessing a firearm if you have any felony conviction history.

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Background Check Databases

After expungement, OSBI updates their records and agencies must seal their copies. Private background check companies may lag. Keep your certified expungement order and dispute any records that still appear. Records not unsealed within 10 years of the expungement order may be obliterated or destroyed — providing stronger long-term protection.

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