Florida provides several forms of relief for qualifying criminal history records, but the process starts with determining eligibility.
This is general public information, not legal advice.
Start with the FDLE process
For court-ordered sealing or expungement, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement says the first step is applying for a Certificate of Eligibility.
Gather the required materials
Current FDLE instructions call for a completed application, an authorized fingerprint card, and a nonrefundable $75 processing fee. Case-specific documents may also be required.
Understand what the certificate means
A Certificate of Eligibility does not itself seal or expunge the record. It allows an eligible person to petition the proper court.
Know that relief has limits
Eligibility depends on the disposition, prior history, and statutory exclusions. Some offenses and records cannot be sealed or expunged under the standard process.
Official FDLE Seal and Expunge Process
Keep records before relief is entered
FDLE recommends keeping copies of important case documents before a record is sealed or expunged.
