What Do I Need To Do When Sealing or Expunging A Criminal Record?

APPLICATION

As I have discussed before, the application is the first step when sealing or expunging a criminal record.  If expunging your record, the application must be submitted to the State Attorney's Office in the county in which you were arrested.  If sealing your record, the application can be sent directly to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Click here to find out the differences between sealing and expunging your record.

This application, which I always provide to my clients, must be signed and notarized by you, the applicant.  You need only fill out Part A, or the top half, of the application.  You must sign it and notarize it.  Make sure the notary puts a stamp on it, not just a signature.  You may get your application notarized at your bank (usually free of charge), at a Kinkos, PakMail, or UPS store for a small fee, or by a friend or family member who is a notary.  You may not notarize your own application.

FINGERPRINTS

In order to process your application, FDLE needs your fingerprints.  They will compare these fingerprints against a national database to ensure that you are eligible to have your record sealed or expunged.  If you are in Miami-Dade County, your fingerprints can be taken at the following Miami-Dade Police Department locations:

Intracoastal District