§ 943.059, Fla. Stat.
Florida Sealing
The record is hidden from the public.
Sealing is for people who took a plea but had adjudication withheld — meaning the judge did not formally convict you. The record still exists, but it is closed to public view. After a record has been sealed for ten years, you can apply to have it expunged entirely.
- Court petition
- Required
- Lifetime relief
- Uses your one chance
- FDLE fee
- $75
Who this fits
You pled guilty or no contest, adjudication was withheld, you completed all probation, and you have never been convicted of anything.
What it actually does to your record
The record disappears from public background checks. Certain agencies — law enforcement, the Bar, some licensing boards, and jobs involving children or vulnerable adults — can still see it.
Eligibility is about your whole record
The most common reason applications fail is not the case being cleared — it is a different case entirely. A prior adjudication of guilt anywhere in Florida, including DUI or driving while license suspended, can close this route before it starts. Our screening checks your whole picture, not just the arrest you are focused on.
Questions about sealing
Who qualifies for sealing in Florida?
You pled guilty or no contest, adjudication was withheld, you completed all probation, and you have never been convicted of anything. This relief is governed by § 943.059, Fla. Stat.. Eligibility also depends on your record as a whole — a prior adjudication of guilt in any case, in any county, can close this route even when the case you want cleared looks clean.
Does sealing require a court hearing?
Yes. After FDLE issues your Certificate of Eligibility, you file a petition, a sworn affidavit, and a proposed order with the court in the county where you were arrested. A judge must sign the order before the record is actually cleared.
Does sealing use up my one-in-a-lifetime relief?
Yes. Florida permits one court-ordered sealing or expungement per person for life, and this route consumes it. If you have more than one record, choosing which to clear is permanent.
What does sealing cost?
FDLE charges a non-refundable $75 processing fee, paid by money order or check. You will also pay the clerk of court for certified dispositions, and possibly a fingerprinting fee. Our preparation fee is separate and disclosed up front.