Having even a dismissed arrest linger on your criminal history can quietly sabotage opportunities—jobs, housing, professional licenses. Sealing or expunging your record takes that burden off your future.
Florida begins this process with a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE, which usually takes around 12 weeks. Once you receive that certificate, the next step is petitioning the court to seal or expunge your record.
Official FDLE Resources
- Learn how to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility and download forms here: FDLE Seal and Expunge—Certificate of Eligibility page FDLE.
- Get the full overview of sealing and expunging procedures on the FDLE Seal and Expunge Process page FDLE.
- Access all relevant application forms (adult expunge, juvenile, self‑defense, etc.) here: FDLE Application Forms FDLE.
- Review FAQs on what counts, who can see sealed/expunged data, and more: FDLE Seal and Expunge FAQ FDLE.
Types of Relief Available in Florida
- Administrative Expungement – for arrests made in error; no court proceeding needed FDLE.
- Court‑Ordered Sealing or Expungement – for charges dismissed, nolle prosequi, acquittal, or withhold of adjudication, assuming eligibility FDLEWikipedia.
- Juvenile Expungement – applies automatically at ages 21 or 26, or via application after diversion FDLE2nd Judicial Circuit SAO.
- Lawful Self-Defense Expungement & Human Trafficking Relief – special paths for qualifying cases FDLE.
Who’s Eligible?
To expunge a record:
- Charges must have been dropped or you were found “not guilty.”
- You’ve never been adjudicated guilty or had prior sealing/expungement.
- You weren’t convicted in any jurisdiction WikipediaFDLE.
To seal a record:
- Adjudication was withheld (no conviction), it’s not a disqualifying offense, and you’ve never used sealing/expungement before FDLEWikipedia.
Certain serious offenses—violent felonies, sexual offenses, DUI convictions, etc.—are ineligible under state law FDLEBroward State Attorney’s OfficeWikipedia.
Why It Matters: Real-Life Scenarios
Imagine a landlord’s automated check flags your old arrest—before you even say a word. Or a hiring manager murmurs, “Explain this incident…” You shouldn’t have to.
With a sealed or expunged record:
- Most public and private background searches won’t show the arrest or dismissal.
- You can legally say it didn’t happen—unless in rare cases involving childcare, law enforcement, gun licensing, and a few other exceptions FDLEWikipedia.
- Your past stays out of sight, sparing you embarrassment and stress.
That means fewer awkward job interviews, smoother housing applications, and a louder focus on your current achievements rather than past mistakes.
Wrap-Up
Keeping a criminal record public—even one that was dismissed—can quietly close doors. Sealing or expunging gives you legal clean-slate, removes unnecessary hurdles, and lets your resume speak louder than your past.
