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Georgia Expungement Laws: How to Clear or Seal a Criminal Record

How to expunge or seal a criminal record in Georgia: arrests, misdemeanors, felonies, DUI, juvenile records, waiting periods, fees and how to file.

Quick answers for Georgia

What relief the state offers
Georgia's main form of relief is "record restriction" (often called expungement) under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. A restricted record is not deleted; O.C.G.A. §§ 35-3-37, 42-8-60; GBI Obtaining Criminal History Record Information FAQ
Misdemeanor convictions
Georgia's 2020 law (SB 288, Act 582, effective January 1, 2021) expanded the ability of certain individuals to request record restriction for certain misdemeanors and conditional discharges. O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 (as amended by 2020 Ga. Laws Act 582, SB 288); Georgia General Assembly 2020 Summary of General Statutes
Felony convictions
Felony conviction restriction rules were not verified for this entry. A person who completes a First Offender Act sentence (including probation, early release by the court, or release from confinement and parole) is exonerated of guilt and discharged as a matter of law, and the record is… O.C.G.A. §§ 35-3-37, 42-8-60, 42-8-63.1; GBI FAQ
Automatic (clean slate) relief
Yes, in part. GCIC must restrict an arrest record when no notice of referral to a prosecutor has been received after a set time from the arrest: two years for a misdemeanor, four years for most felonies, and seven years for serious violent felonies and certain sex offenses against… O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(h)(1)(A)(ii); GBI, Georgia Law Regarding Time Expired Restrictions

Last verified: 2026-10-27

Who qualifies

What relief the state offersGeorgia's main form of relief is "record restriction" (often called expungement) under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. A restricted record is not deleted; it is hidden from private employers, licensing agencies and the public, but remains available to judges and criminal justice agencies. People who complete a First Offender Act sentence are exonerated of guilt and the record is sealed. Some arrests without a reported disposition are restricted automatically after a set time. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles grants pardons and restoration of rights, which do not erase the record.
Source: O.C.G.A. §§ 35-3-37, 42-8-60; GBI Obtaining Criminal History Record Information FAQ
Arrests and dismissed chargesArrests whose charges ended with dispositions such as dismissed, not presented to the grand jury, no further action anticipated, nolle prossed, dead docket, or no record on file may be eligible for restriction; the GBI states guilty dispositions are not eligible under this process. For arrests on or after July 1, 2013, there is no application: the prosecutor may approve restriction (for example at sentencing or case completion), and the person should contact the prosecutor. For arrests before July 1, 2013, the person applies through the arresting agency on the Request to Restrict Arrest Record form, and the prosecutor approves or denies it.
Source: O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37; GBI FAQ; Georgia Courts, Record Restrictions/Expungement
Misdemeanor convictionsGeorgia's 2020 law (SB 288, Act 582, effective January 1, 2021) expanded the ability of certain individuals to request record restriction for certain misdemeanors and conditional discharges. The detailed eligibility rules and waiting period are in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, which could not be read for this entry.
Source: O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 (as amended by 2020 Ga. Laws Act 582, SB 288); Georgia General Assembly 2020 Summary of General Statutes
Felony convictionsFelony conviction restriction rules were not verified for this entry. A person who completes a First Offender Act sentence (including probation, early release by the court, or release from confinement and parole) is exonerated of guilt and discharged as a matter of law, and the record is treated as sealed, though it may be disclosed for certain employment purposes under § 42-8-63.1.
Whether and when other felony convictions (for example, pardoned felonies) can be restricted under § 35-3-37 was not confirmed; statute text was not read.
Source: O.C.G.A. §§ 35-3-37, 42-8-60, 42-8-63.1; GBI FAQ

How to apply

How to applyFor arrests on or after July 1, 2013, contact the prosecutor (district attorney or solicitor) to ask for restriction; there is no application form. For arrests before July 1, 2013, complete Section One of the Request to Restrict Arrest Record (one arrest date per form) and submit it to the arresting agency, which completes Section Two and sends it to the prosecutor; the prosecutor approves or denies it in Section Three. If approved and the prosecutor does not enter the restriction directly, send the approved form and the GCIC fee to the Georgia Crime Information Center, Record Restrictions, P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, GA 30037-0808. GCIC sends a letter when the restriction is applied. Review your criminal history first to make sure every charge has a final disposition.
Source: O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37; Georgia Courts, Record Restrictions/Expungement; GBI FAQ
Filing feeFor pre-July 1, 2013 arrests, the arresting agency may charge a processing fee of up to $50, and GCIC charges a $25 fee (money order or certified check payable to "Georgia Bureau of Investigation") when it processes an approved application.
Fees for court petitions to restrict convictions were not confirmed.
Source: O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37; Georgia Courts, Record Restrictions/Expungement
Automatic (clean slate) reliefYes, in part. GCIC must restrict an arrest record when no notice of referral to a prosecutor has been received after a set time from the arrest: two years for a misdemeanor, four years for most felonies, and seven years for serious violent felonies and certain sex offenses against victims under 16. These "time-expired restrictions" hide the arrest from Georgia employment and licensing checks, but the GBI states they may still be shared with the FBI and other states for non-criminal-justice purposes.
Source: O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(h)(1)(A)(ii); GBI, Georgia Law Regarding Time Expired Restrictions
Getting a copy of your criminal recordThe Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) keeps the state criminal history. A name-based copy is available from most sheriff's offices and police departments (GCIC itself does not run name-based checks). For a fingerprint-based record, Georgia residents register through the GAPS (IdentoGO) website, which collects the fee and lists fingerprint locations; bring a valid photo ID, and results are typically available in 24-48 hours. Registration help: GCIC (404) 244-2639, option 2; GCIC's lobby office offers record inspection by appointment only (option 1). Inaccurate records can be challenged by fingerprint submission to GCIC, P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, GA 30037-0808. Your national record is requested separately from the FBI.
GAPS site linked from the page: https://ga.state.identogo.com/ata. FBI: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/identity-history-summary-checks
Source: Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Obtaining Criminal History Record Information FAQ

After your record is cleared

What clearing a record doesA restricted record is available only to judicial officials and criminal justice agencies (for law enforcement or investigations, and for criminal justice employment) and is not released to private persons, businesses, or licensing and regulatory agencies. It is not deleted or destroyed. The court notes the information may still be available through other sources, such as local agencies or private vendors, which GCIC does not control. Immigration authorities may treat restricted records differently.
Source: O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37; GBI FAQ
PardonsThe State Board of Pardons and Paroles grants pardons, restoration of civil and political rights, and pardons that restore firearm rights; applications are filed online and there is no application fee. To qualify for a pardon (other than for registrable sex offenses), all sentences must have been completed at least five years before applying, with a law-abiding life during that time, no pending charges and all fines paid; registrable sex offenses require ten years and additional evaluations. A pardon is an official statement of forgiveness attached to the record; it does not expunge, remove or erase the conviction, though a pardoned person may seek record restriction if eligible.
Source: Ga. Const. art. IV, § 2; State Board of Pardons and Paroles, Pardons & Restoration of Rights

Where to get help in Georgia

Expungement & Criminal Records FAQ

Can you get a criminal record expunged in Georgia?
Georgia's main form of relief is "record restriction" (often called expungement) under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. A restricted record is not deleted; it is hidden from private employers, licensing agencies and the public, but remains available to judges and criminal justice agencies. People who complete a First Offender Act sentence are exonerated of guilt and the record is sealed. Some arrests without a reported disposition are restricted automatically after a set time. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles grants pardons and restoration of rights, which do not erase the record.
Can you clear an arrest or dismissed charge in Georgia?
Arrests whose charges ended with dispositions such as dismissed, not presented to the grand jury, no further action anticipated, nolle prossed, dead docket, or no record on file may be eligible for restriction; the GBI states guilty dispositions are not eligible under this process. For arrests on or after July 1, 2013, there is no application: the prosecutor may approve restriction (for example at sentencing or case completion), and the person should contact the prosecutor. For arrests before July 1, 2013, the person applies through the arresting agency on the Request to Restrict Arrest Record form, and the prosecutor approves or denies it.
Can a misdemeanor be expunged in Georgia?
Georgia's 2020 law (SB 288, Act 582, effective January 1, 2021) expanded the ability of certain individuals to request record restriction for certain misdemeanors and conditional discharges. The detailed eligibility rules and waiting period are in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, which could not be read for this entry.
Can a felony be expunged in Georgia?
Felony conviction restriction rules were not verified for this entry. A person who completes a First Offender Act sentence (including probation, early release by the court, or release from confinement and parole) is exonerated of guilt and discharged as a matter of law, and the record is treated as sealed, though it may be disclosed for certain employment purposes under § 42-8-63.1.
Does Georgia have automatic record clearing (clean slate)?
Yes, in part. GCIC must restrict an arrest record when no notice of referral to a prosecutor has been received after a set time from the arrest: two years for a misdemeanor, four years for most felonies, and seven years for serious violent felonies and certain sex offenses against victims under 16. These "time-expired restrictions" hide the arrest from Georgia employment and licensing checks, but the GBI states they may still be shared with the FBI and other states for non-criminal-justice purposes.
How do you file for expungement in Georgia?
For arrests on or after July 1, 2013, contact the prosecutor (district attorney or solicitor) to ask for restriction; there is no application form. For arrests before July 1, 2013, complete Section One of the Request to Restrict Arrest Record (one arrest date per form) and submit it to the arresting agency, which completes Section Two and sends it to the prosecutor; the prosecutor approves or denies it in Section Three. If approved and the prosecutor does not enter the restriction directly, send the approved form and the GCIC fee to the Georgia Crime Information Center, Record Restrictions, P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, GA 30037-0808. GCIC sends a letter when the restriction is applied. Review your criminal history first to make sure every charge has a final disposition.
How much does expungement cost in Georgia?
For pre-July 1, 2013 arrests, the arresting agency may charge a processing fee of up to $50, and GCIC charges a $25 fee (money order or certified check payable to "Georgia Bureau of Investigation") when it processes an approved application.
What happens after a record is expunged or sealed in Georgia?
A restricted record is available only to judicial officials and criminal justice agencies (for law enforcement or investigations, and for criminal justice employment) and is not released to private persons, businesses, or licensing and regulatory agencies. It is not deleted or destroyed. The court notes the information may still be available through other sources, such as local agencies or private vendors, which GCIC does not control. Immigration authorities may treat restricted records differently.
How do you get a pardon in Georgia?
The State Board of Pardons and Paroles grants pardons, restoration of civil and political rights, and pardons that restore firearm rights; applications are filed online and there is no application fee. To qualify for a pardon (other than for registrable sex offenses), all sentences must have been completed at least five years before applying, with a law-abiding life during that time, no pending charges and all fines paid; registrable sex offenses require ten years and additional evaluations. A pardon is an official statement of forgiveness attached to the record; it does not expunge, remove or erase the conviction, though a pardoned person may seek record restriction if eligible.
How do I check my own criminal record in Georgia?
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) keeps the state criminal history. A name-based copy is available from most sheriff's offices and police departments (GCIC itself does not run name-based checks). For a fingerprint-based record, Georgia residents register through the GAPS (IdentoGO) website, which collects the fee and lists fingerprint locations; bring a valid photo ID, and results are typically available in 24-48 hours. Registration help: GCIC (404) 244-2639, option 2; GCIC's lobby office offers record inspection by appointment only (option 1). Inaccurate records can be challenged by fingerprint submission to GCIC, P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, GA 30037-0808. Your national record is requested separately from the FBI.

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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.