How to Clear Your Criminal Record in Pennsylvania

What You Need to Know First

Pennsylvania was the first state in the nation to pass a Clean Slate law in 2018. The most recent update — Clean Slate 3.0, effective February 2024 — expanded eligibility to include certain felony records for the first time and reduced the misdemeanor waiting period from 10 to 7 years. Your record may already qualify for automatic sealing.

Pennsylvania has three pathways for clearing a criminal record. Understanding which applies to your situation is the critical first step.

Expungement

RECORD DESTRUCTION

Permanently destroys the record. Very limited in Pennsylvania — available mainly for non-convictions, ARD completions, summary offenses after 5 years, and pardoned offenses. Convictions generally cannot be expunged unless age 70+ or pardoned.

Clean Slate — Automatic

NO ACTION NEEDED

Pennsylvania automatically seals eligible records — non-convictions within 60 days, summary convictions after 5 years, and qualifying misdemeanors after 7 years. Free, no petition required. Records are sealed from public view but not destroyed.

Limited Access — Petition

COURT ORDER REQUIRED

For records not eligible for automatic sealing — including certain first-degree misdemeanors and qualifying felonies (new under Clean Slate 3.0). File a petition in the Court of Common Pleas. Filing fee $132–$215 depending on county.

What Can — and Can't — Be Expunged or Sealed

ELIGIBLE FOR EXPUNGEMENT OR SEALING

Dismissed, withdrawn, nolle prossed charges — automatic within 60 days
Acquittals — automatic within 60 days
ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) completions
Summary offenses — after 5 years arrest-free (expungement)
M2 and M3 misdemeanors — automatic sealing after 7 years
Certain M1 misdemeanors — petition-based sealing after 7 years
Certain non-violent felonies — petition-based sealing after 10 years (new under Clean Slate 3.0)
Pardoned offenses — automatically expunged as of June 2024
Persons age 70+ — arrest-free for 10 years after release

NOT ELIGIBLE

Most felony convictions (except qualifying non-violent felonies after 10 years)
Offenses involving danger to persons — M1 level
Crimes against families
Firearm offenses — M1 level
Sex offenses requiring registration
Any new misdemeanor or felony conviction during waiting period
Unpaid fines, costs, or restitution
Federal convictions or out-of-state convictions

Waiting Periods

Non-convictions — automatic sealing

60 days

Summary offense — expungement

5 years

M2 / M3 misdemeanor — automatic sealing

7 years

M1 misdemeanor — petition sealing

7 years

Qualifying felony — petition sealing (Clean Slate 3.0)

10 years

You must have completed all court-ordered obligations — including paying all fines, costs, and restitution in full — and have no new misdemeanor or felony convictions during the waiting period. Outstanding financial obligations will block automatic sealing.

ARD — Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition

Pennsylvania's ARD program is a pre-trial diversion available to first-time, non-violent offenders — most commonly used for DUI. Upon successful completion, the charges are dismissed and the record becomes eligible for expungement. This is one of the most powerful tools available in Pennsylvania for first-time offenders.

If you completed ARD and your charges were dismissed, you can file a petition to expunge the arrest record. ARD completion is one of the few pathways to full expungement — not just sealing — in Pennsylvania. The filing fee is typically $132–$215 depending on your county.

How to File — Step by Step

1

Check If Your Record Was Already Sealed

Pennsylvania automatically seals eligible records on a rolling basis. Check your record at mycleanslatepa.com — Community Legal Services' free tool that shows what's on your record and whether it qualifies for sealing or expungement. You can also request your official PA State Police criminal history report.

2

Get Your PA State Police Criminal History Report

For petition-based sealing, you must attach a current criminal history report obtained within 60 days of filing. Request your report from the Pennsylvania State Police at epatch.state.pa.us. The fee is $22.

3

Download the Correct Forms

For expungement use Pa.R.Crim.P. 490 or 790 petition forms. For petition-based sealing use Order for Limited Access Form 791. All forms are available from the Unified Judicial System at pacourts.us.

4

File in the Court of Common Pleas

File your petition in the Court of Common Pleas in the county where the case was heard. Pay the filing fee — typically $132–$215 — or request a fee waiver if you qualify. Serve a copy on the District Attorney's office at the same time.

5

District Attorney Review

The District Attorney has 30 days to consent, object, or take no action. If the DA consents or takes no action, the court may grant your petition without a hearing. If the DA objects, the judge will schedule a hearing.

6

After the Order Is Granted

For expungement, records are physically destroyed. For sealing, the Pennsylvania State Police and court records are sealed from public view — law enforcement retains access. The process typically takes 4 to 6 months from filing to completion.

Official Forms

Expungement Petitions (Pa.R.Crim.P. 490 / 790)

Official expungement petition forms from the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania

Download at pacourts.us →

Order for Limited Access (Form 791)

Petition form for sealing under Clean Slate — for records not eligible for automatic sealing

Download at pacourts.us →

My Clean Slate PA — Free Eligibility Tool

Free tool from Community Legal Services — shows what's on your record and whether it qualifies for sealing or expungement

Check at mycleanslatepa.com →

PA State Police Criminal History Report

Request your official PA criminal history — required for petition-based sealing applications

Request at epatch.state.pa.us →

Helpful Resources

FREE LEGAL HELP

Community Legal Services — My Clean Slate PA

Free statewide eligibility tool, guides, and legal assistance for expungement and Clean Slate sealing

mycleanslatepa.com →

FREE LEGAL HELP

PA Legal Aid Network

Find free legal aid in your county — including expungement clinics and record sealing assistance statewide

palawhelp.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 →

PARDONS

Pennsylvania Board of Pardons

Apply for a Governor's pardon — now leads to automatic expungement as of June 2024

pa.gov/agencies/bop →

COURT LOCATIONS

PA Unified Judicial System

Find your county Court of Common Pleas and self-help resources

pacourts.us →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between expungement and Clean Slate sealing in Pennsylvania? +

Expungement permanently destroys the record — it no longer exists anywhere in the criminal justice system. Clean Slate sealing hides the record from public view but does not destroy it — law enforcement and judicial officers retain access. Expungement is only available in limited situations in Pennsylvania. Clean Slate sealing is available to many more people and happens automatically for eligible records.

Was my record automatically sealed? How do I check? +

Pennsylvania seals eligible records automatically on a rolling basis — non-convictions within 60 days, summary convictions after 5 years, and qualifying misdemeanors after 7 years. Visit mycleanslatepa.com for a free tool that shows what's on your record and whether it qualifies. You can also request your official criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police at epatch.state.pa.us.

Can a felony be sealed in Pennsylvania? +

Yes — for the first time under Clean Slate 3.0, effective February 2024, certain non-violent felonies including some drug and property offenses can be sealed by petition after a 10-year waiting period with no new convictions. This does not apply to violent felonies, sex offenses, or most serious felonies. Consult a Pennsylvania attorney or use the mycleanslatepa.com tool to check your specific offense.

Can I legally say I was never convicted after sealing? +

Yes — under Pennsylvania law, a person whose record has been sealed under Clean Slate may respond to questions about their criminal record as if the offense did not occur. Employers, landlords, and schools cannot require disclosure of sealed records or use them in most decision-making. Exceptions include law enforcement employers and positions regulated by federal law.

What is ARD and how does it help? +

ARD stands for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition — a pre-trial diversion program for first-time, non-violent offenders, most commonly used for DUI. If you successfully complete ARD, your charges are dismissed and the arrest record becomes eligible for expungement — full destruction of the record, not just sealing. ARD completion is one of the most valuable tools for first-time offenders in Pennsylvania.

Do I need an attorney? +

For automatic Clean Slate sealing — no, nothing is required from you. For petition-based sealing or expungement, the mycleanslatepa.com tool can help prepare your forms and Community Legal Services offers free legal assistance for those who qualify. For felony sealing under Clean Slate 3.0 — which is new and complex — working with a Pennsylvania attorney is strongly recommended.

After Your Record Is Cleared

After sealing or expungement in Pennsylvania, you can generally respond to questions about your criminal record as if the offense did not occur. Employers, landlords, and schools cannot require disclosure of or use sealed records against you.

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Employment

Pennsylvania law prohibits employers from using sealed records in hiring decisions. You generally do not have to disclose a sealed conviction to private employers. Law enforcement employers, positions regulated by federal law, and certain licensed professions may still require disclosure.

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Gun Rights

Expungement of a non-conviction or ARD completion generally leaves gun rights intact since there was no conviction. Sealing of a misdemeanor or felony conviction under Clean Slate does not restore federal firearms rights lost due to that conviction. If you have a conviction that affected your gun rights, consult a licensed Pennsylvania attorney before purchasing or possessing a firearm.

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Professional Licensing

Pennsylvania state licensing agencies retain access to sealed records only when the record is relevant to the specific license being sought. In practice, many licensing boards cannot automatically deny a license based on a sealed conviction. Contact the specific licensing board before applying and check whether your record type is relevant to that profession.

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Background Check Databases

Third-party background check companies may take time to update their databases after sealing. Keep a copy of your expungement or sealing order. If an old record appears, provide the order to the reporting agency and dispute it. Note that records held by federal agencies are not subject to Pennsylvania expungement or sealing orders.

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