RecordReset

Source review: September 29, 2026. Information only, not legal advice.

Florida sealing and expungement

Florida court-ordered sealing and expungement require two distinct steps: apply to FDLE for a Certificate of Eligibility, then petition the appropriate court if the certificate is issued. FDLE says the certificate is not a court order and does not itself clear a record. Other Florida routes, including some automatic or administrative relief, follow different rules.

What does the FDLE certificate do?

FDLE's process page calls the Certificate of Eligibility the required first step for a court-ordered petition under sections 943.059 and 943.0585. FDLE reviews whether a person meets statutory requirements to petition; a judge still decides a court petition. FDLE says a record receives relief only after a certified court order reaches it.

How do you apply and file?

  1. Get a certified case disposition and read the current FDLE certificate instructions. A complete application includes fingerprints and signature requirements; expungement may require a prosecutor's statement.
  2. Check the current FDLE processing fee and payment instructions before submission. The agency's published fee is $75 and its typical review time is 12 weeks after a complete packet arrives; neither is a promise of timing or approval.
  3. If FDLE issues the certificate, read the relevant court's petition, notice, filing fee and waiver requirements. Court procedures vary.
  4. Keep the court order and confirm that the appropriate agencies received it.

How are other Florida relief routes different?

FDLE lists administrative expungement for certain mistaken arrests, automatic sealing under section 943.0595 for certain dispositions, and specialized juvenile, diversion, victim and lawful-self-defense paths. Automatic FDLE sealing does not necessarily seal local records. Do not assume a regular certificate petition is the right tool for those routes.

What does RecordReset provide?

Its free screener offers preliminary information. It cannot issue an FDLE certificate or a court order and does not provide a Florida petition workbook or attorney review.

Florida record-clearing law is primarily under Fla. Stat. §§ 943.0585, 943.059, 943.0584, 943.0583, and 943.0582. The information here is a summary and not a substitute for review by a licensed Florida attorney.

Questions people ask

Does an FDLE Certificate of Eligibility seal a record?

No. FDLE says it is the first step to petitioning a court; relief does not occur until FDLE receives a certified court order.

How long does FDLE certificate review take?

FDLE says it typically takes about 12 weeks after a completed packet is received and does not expedite applications. Court timing is separate.

Are all Florida record-clearing routes the same?

No. FDLE lists court-ordered sealing and expungement, administrative expungement for some mistaken arrests, automatic sealing for certain dispositions, and other specialized provisions.

RecordReset is a self-help legal information service, not a law firm. A screening can only say a case may match published rules and needs review. A court or agency determines relief. RecordReset does not file cases or offer attorney review; paid enrollment and draft PDFs are paused for legal and form review.