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

The following requirements must be met 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(2) and Section 943.059(2), Florida Statutes.
 
  • Application – You may obtain an application for the Certificate of Eligibility by downloading from this website (Download Seal/Expunge Package) , or by emailing the FDLE Expunge Section at Seal-Expunge@fdle.state.fl.us, and requesting an application be mailed to you. Some Clerks of Court may also have application forms available.

  • Section A - Section A of the application must be completed and signed in the presence of a Notary Public or a Deputy Clerk of the Court.

  • Fingerprints - The applicant must be fingerprinted by an authorized (trained, proficient) member of law enforcement or other criminal justice agency. The fingerprint form must include the applicant’s name, race, sex, date of birth, social security number (SSN)*, and signature, prior to submission to FDLE. An FDLE Fingerprint Form, FD 40-024, is supplied with the application packet. A fingerprint card can be used in place of the fingerprint form if the law enforcement or criminal justice agency is unable to fingerprint you on the fingerprint form provided.

  • Certified Disposition – The applicant must provide a certified disposition, if available, of the case (criminal charge or charges) he/she is applying to have sealed or expunged. This may be obtained from the Clerk of Court in the county where the charge(s) were brought. For Pre-Trial Intervention cases and other Diversion programs, a certified letter of successful completion from the State Attorney’s Office may substitute for a certified disposition. If you were put on probation, please provide a certified copy of the Termination of Probation.

  • Section B – If you are requesting an expungement of a criminal history record, you must have the prosecuting attorney (with the Office of the State Attorney or Statewide Prosecutor), from the jurisdiction in which the charge(s) originated (or to which they were transferred), complete Section B of the application. (If Section B is not completed, the application will be processed as a request for the sealing of your criminal history record.)

  • Processing Fee – A NONREFUNDABLE money order or cashier’s check for $75.00 made payable to FDLE must accompany the application. FDLE does not accept cash, gift cards or personal checks.
Effective July 1, 2016, for individuals who were in out-of-home care at the time of the criminal offense they are seeking to seal or expunge the fee will be waived if they provide a copy of their Shelter Order with their application.
 
 
Special Note: All of the items listed above are required at the time that the application is submitted. If an item is missing or the application or fingerprint form is not completed, the application will be returned unprocessed.
 
*FDLE asks that you provide your social security number (SSN). The decision to provide your SSN is at your option, but failure to provide your SSN may result in a delay in processing your application or request. If you provide your SSN, FDLE will use it for purposes of identification, and may disclose the information to other agencies for the same purpose pursuant to Section 119.071(5)(a)2.b., Florida Statutes. FDLE's request for your SSN is authorized by state law, Section 119.071(5)(a)2.a.II, Florida Statutes, because it is imperative for the performance of FDLE's duties and responsibilities.

Seal/Expunge Application
Reasons for Denial
Entities entitled to Sealed/Expunged Information