Applying for a Certificate of Eligibility for Court-Ordered Sealing or Expungement

The following requirements must be provided in order to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility to petition the court for an order to seal or expunge a criminal history record, which is the first step required toward getting a record sealed or expunged under Section 943.0585 or Section 943.059, Florida Statutes (F.S.) If proceeding under either of these statutes, you are entitled to one court-ordered sealing or expungement in a lifetime.

 

Application Page
  • You may obtain an application for a Certificate of Eligibility by downloading the application , or by emailing the FDLE Expunge Section at Seal-Expunge@fdle.state.fl.us, and requesting an application be sent to you.
  • The application page must be filled out in full including; last name, first name, date of birth, race, sex, mailing address, permanent address, arresting agency,  date of arrest, and charge(s).
  • If you were given a Notice to Appear and not physically arrested, indicate the date of the Notice to Appear in place of the date of arrest.
  • Applicant must sign and date the application in the presence of a notary public or a deputy clerk of the court.
Completed Written Certified Statement Page (Expunction Applications Only)
  • For all expunction applications (including juveniles), the written certified statement page completed by the appropriate state attorney or statewide prosecutor is required.
 
Certified Disposition
  • The applicant must provide a certified disposition for each case/criminal charge(s) listed on the application. This may be obtained from the clerk of court in the county where the case/charge(s) originated.
  • If placed on probation, provide documentation showing termination of probation.
  • For pre-trial intervention cases and other diversion programs, the applicant must provide a copy of the pretrial completion certificate or a letter of successful completion, which may substitute for a certified disposition.
 
Completed Fingerprint Form/Card
  • The applicant must be fingerprinted by an authorized member of law enforcement or other criminal justice agency.
  • The fingerprint form/card must include the applicant’s name, date of birth, signature, and date.
  • The fingerprint form/card must include the signature of the official taking the fingerprints and the agency’s ORI/stamp.
 
Processing Fee
  • A NONREFUNDABLE money order, cashier’s check, or personal check in the amount of $75.00 made payable to FDLE must accompany the application. FDLE does not accept cash, gift cards, or temporary personal checks.
  • Make sure to completely fill out and sign the check/money order.
 
Attorney Letterhead (if applicable)
  • If you are represented by an attorney, a letter of representation from the attorney on letterhead must be submitted with the application. If an attorney letter is not received, FDLE will only correspond with the applicant.
  • Make sure the appropriate mailing address is clearly indicated on this letter.
 
SPECIAL NOTE: It is highly recommended that you obtain and keep a copy of all pertinent documents (arrest report, certified disposition, order to seal/expunge, etc.) for your records before you secure the sealing or expunction of your criminal history record(s). Once a record(s) has been expunged under Section 943.0585, F.S., it is no longer available to be disseminated to anyone (including the subject of the record), under any circumstances, without a court order so authorizing. FDLE, as well as any other state or local agency, is statutorily prohibited from releasing copies of court-ordered expunged records. FDLE may only release a copy of an expunged record upon receipt of a court order.