How to 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.

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.

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.

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.