Sealing and Expunging Criminal Records

The intent of this page is to serve as a guide to the process of sealing or expunging an eligible criminal record and under no circumstance should it be taken as legal advice.  Except as detailed below, the State Attorney’s Office is not able to assist in sealing or expunging a record.  You are encouraged to consult an attorney should you require assistance.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains a website detailing the Seal and Expunge Process.  It offers valuable resources to aid you and includes instructions for applying for a Certificate of Eligibility.  You may find Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Sealing and Expunge website here, or you may contact FDLE by calling (850) 410-7870.

Step 1: Obtaining and Completing the Application 

• The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Application for Certification of Eligibility (hereinafter referred to as “application”) is located on the FDLE website here.
• Complete the application as instructed.  The application must be signed under oath in the presence of a notary. 

Step 2: Submit Application to the State Attorney’s Office

• Submit the application either by mail or in-person to the State Attorney’s Office in the county in which you were charged in. Electronic copies will not be accepted.
• We will complete our portion of the application.  Please note that this could take a few weeks. Once done, we will return the application to you by U.S. Mail to the mailing address you listed on the application. 

Step 3: Submit completed application to FDLE

• When submitting the application, be certain to include everything included in the Application’s Checklist and Instructions.
• If your application is successful, FDLE will send you a “Certificate of Eligibility.” 

Step 4: Complete and File a “Petition and Affidavit to Expunge or Seal”

• Once you have received your “Certificate of Eligibility”, you must complete a “Petition and Affidavit to Expunge or Seal” (hereinafter referred to as “Petition”).
  • For Pinellas County, the forms can be found here under the Criminal Court department.
  • For Pasco County, the forms can be found here. 

Step 5: Filing the Petition

• After completing the Petition, you must file the original petition and the Certificate of Eligibility with the Clerk of the Court in the County where the matter occurred.
• You must also submit copies of these documents must be sent to the State Attorney’s Office in the County where the matter occurred.

Once the State Attorney’s Office receives our copy of the documents referenced in Step 5, we will file a response to your petition.

If we disagree with your request, then the Court may have a hearing on the matter. The Clerk of the Court will notify you of the date and time if there is going to be a hearing.

If we have no objections to your request, then the Clerk will forward all of the documents to the Court, and generally, the Court will issue an Order Sealing or Expunging the Record within a few weeks and will mail you a copy of this signed Order from the Court.