Florida Record Sealing, Expungement and Early Termination of Probation

What’s in the guide

Florida law allows certain criminal history records to be sealed or expunged by court order, after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement issues a Certificate of Eligibility. Some records are sealed automatically. Separately, a probationer or probation officer may ask the court to end probation early, and for many sentences imposed on or after October 1, 2019, the statute lists conditions under which the court must grant that request or convert the term to administrative probation.

This guide explains the difference between sealing and expunging, who generally qualifies, the offenses that can never be sealed or expunged, the one-time limit and its exceptions, the FDLE application and fees, the court petition, what happens after an order, automatic sealing, and the early termination rules in section 948.04. It closes with questions to research or ask an attorney, and it links to the Florida Statutes, the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, and FDLE so you can read the sources yourself.

What the 13-page guide covers

1. What This Guide Covers
2. Sealing and Expunging — The Difference
3. Who Generally Qualifies for Court-Ordered Sealing
4. Who Generally Qualifies for Court-Ordered Expunction
5. Offenses That Can Never Be Sealed or Expunged
6. The One-Time Limit and Its Exceptions
7. Special Routes
8. Step One — The FDLE Certificate of Eligibility
9. Step Two — The Court Petition
10. After the Order — and Automatic Sealing
11. Early Termination of Probation — Who May Ask
12. Early Termination — The § 948.04(4) Conditions and the Court's Review
13. Do Your Own Research — Primary Sources
14. Required Disclosures

Download the free guide (PDF)

I am not an attorney and cannot advise you whether to seek sealing, expungement, or early termination, which forms you need, or where to file. If you decide to proceed, you provide your information in writing and I type it exactly as you provide it. Questions about the service? call or text 772-321-2290.

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I am not an attorney. I am a nonlawyer document preparer and provide document preparation only, at your direction. I cannot give legal advice. This guide is educational information only.

Prepared by Jonathan Rexford, Nonlawyer Document Preparer and Florida Notary Public, Vero Beach, Florida · 772-321-2290 · jonathan@notarynearmenow.com