RecordReset

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

Georgia criminal record restriction

Georgia generally calls its process record restriction. Under O.C.G.A. §35-3-37 it may limit access to certain criminal-history records for non-criminal-justice purposes; it is not a promise that every record disappears. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says the first step changes with arrest date: apply at the arresting agency for pre-July 2013 arrests; contact the prosecutor for later ones.

How does arrest date change the process?

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says arrests before July 1, 2013 use a Request to Restrict Arrest Record application at the arresting agency. The arresting agency and prosecutor complete their parts; fees may apply after approval. For arrests after July 1, 2013, GBI says there is no application process of that kind and directs people to contact the prosecutor. The statute is O.C.G.A. §35-3-37; use the current official GBI instructions to act.

What information should you gather?

  1. Find the arrest date, arresting agency, case number and final disposition. These determine whom to contact.
  2. Check your Georgia criminal-history record and distinguish the state record from court or private records.
  3. For a pre-July 2013 arrest, read and use the current GBI application. For a later arrest, ask the prosecutor about the restriction status and any correction process.
  4. Check any resulting status with the relevant agencies. Restriction does not promise deletion of outside copies.

Can a general screener decide Georgia eligibility?

No. The RecordReset screener can identify a possible issue for review but cannot confirm the prosecutor's action or the contents of every record. It does not offer a Georgia filing workbook, filing service, or attorney review.

Georgia record-clearing law is primarily under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 (restriction) and § 42-8-62 (First Offender Act). The information here is a summary and not a substitute for review by a licensed Georgia attorney.

Questions people ask

Is Georgia record restriction the same as deletion?

No. Restriction can limit access to certain Georgia criminal-history records for non-criminal-justice purposes; it does not guarantee every court, local or privately copied record disappears.

Where do I start for an arrest before July 1, 2013?

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says to apply at the arresting agency with its Request to Restrict Arrest Record form.

Where do I start for an arrest after July 1, 2013?

The GBI says there is no equivalent application process; contact the prosecutor about restriction.

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.