Massachusetts Expungement and Record Sealing: The CORI System Explained
Massachusetts uses CORI to govern who can see criminal records. Learn the difference between sealing and expungement, automatic sealing timelines, and how to petition in 2026.
You applied for an apartment and were turned down. The landlord ran a CORI check — a Criminal Offender Record Information report — and something from years ago came back. Massachusetts has a whole system governing exactly who can see what on your criminal record, under what circumstances, and what you can do to change it. Understanding the CORI system is the starting point for understanding your options. And those options may be better than you think — Massachusetts has automatic sealing, and many people do not realize their record may already be sealed.
This is not legal advice.
This guide explains how the law works in general terms. Whether you qualify depends on your specific record, and a judge makes the final call. If your situation is complicated — multiple convictions, charges in multiple states, or a previous denial — consulting a lawyer who handles expungement is worth the cost of a consultation.
What is CORI — and why it matters
CORI stands for Criminal Offender Record Information. It is Massachusetts's system for maintaining and governing access to criminal records. The Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB) administers the CORI database and controls who can access it and at what level.
Different requesters get different levels of CORI access. A background check from a large employer with a CORI agreement sees more than a small landlord who submits a manual request. Schools and childcare employers see records that smaller organizations cannot access. And under CORI reform, employers are limited in how they can use CORI information in hiring decisions.
When a Massachusetts record is sealed or expunged, the change happens in the CORI database — the centralized source that most background checks pull from. That is what makes sealing and expungement meaningful in Massachusetts: it affects what requesters actually see, not just what is on a piece of paper in a courthouse.
Sealing versus expungement in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has two distinct processes with different criteria and different outcomes. Understanding the difference matters before you decide how to proceed.
- SEALING (M.G.L. c. 276 § 100A): The record is restricted — most CORI requesters cannot see it. The record still exists and is accessible to law enforcement and courts. Waiting periods are 3 years for misdemeanors and 7 years for felonies from conviction date. Broad availability — available for most convictions.
- EXPUNGEMENT (M.G.L. c. 276 § 100E): The record is destroyed — it is gone from the system. Available only in specific circumstances: offense committed before age 21, or based on DNA exclusion or misidentification. More difficult to qualify for but more complete in outcome.
- AUTOMATIC SEALING: Massachusetts automatically seals eligible records after 3 or 7 years with no new convictions — no petition required. Many people do not realize their record has already been sealed.
Most people will pursue sealing, not expungement. Expungement in Massachusetts is available in narrower circumstances than in most states. If you do not clearly qualify for expungement, sealing is the appropriate pathway.
Automatic sealing — many people already qualify
This is the most important thing many Massachusettsans do not know: the state automatically seals eligible conviction records after the waiting period is met, if you have no new convictions during that time.
If you have a misdemeanor conviction from more than three years ago and have not been convicted of anything since, your record may already be sealed. If you have a felony conviction from more than seven years ago under the same circumstances, same story.
To find out, request your own CORI through Massachusetts iCORI at icori.chs.state.ma.us. The report costs $25. A sealed record will show "sealed" rather than the underlying conviction details. If your record has not been automatically sealed and the waiting period has passed, you can file a petition to ensure it gets sealed.
Who qualifies for sealing — and who does not
May qualify
- Misdemeanor convictions after 3 years from conviction date with no new convictions
- Felony convictions after 7 years from conviction date with no new convictions
- Automatic sealing of eligible misdemeanors and felonies (no petition needed)
- Arrests that did not result in conviction — generally sealable or already sealed
- Cases resolved without conviction through diversion or continuance without finding
- Pre-age-21 convictions (may qualify for expungement under § 100E)
Generally does not qualify
- Sex offenses requiring registration as a sex offender
- Any new conviction during the waiting period (resets eligibility)
- Cases with pending charges or active probation
- Certain violent offenses (review specific statute for exclusions)
The waiting period starts from the conviction date in Massachusetts — not from the sentence completion date. This is different from most states and often means eligibility may apply earlier than you think.
Waiting periods
Massachusetts uses the conviction date as the start of the waiting period — not the sentence completion date. This is meaningfully different from most states and often means you reach the waiting period threshold earlier. If your probation ran for two years after your conviction date, in most states the clock would start after probation ends. In Massachusetts, it started on the day of conviction.
Waiting Periods
The clock starts on the date shown below — not your arrest date.
Misdemeanor conviction — petition-based sealing
Clock starts: Date of conviction (not sentence completion)
Massachusetts sealing clock starts from conviction date, which is unusual and often earlier than sentence completion.
Felony conviction — petition-based sealing
Clock starts: Date of conviction
Seven-year wait from conviction date. No new convictions during that period.
Misdemeanor — automatic sealing
Clock starts: Date of conviction
Massachusetts automatically seals eligible misdemeanor records after 3 years with no new offenses. No petition required.
Felony — automatic sealing
Clock starts: Date of conviction
Eligible felonies are automatically sealed after 7 years with no new offenses during that period.
Expungement (more limited — under M.G.L. c. 276 § 100E)
Clock starts: Varies by qualifying circumstance
Expungement (actual record destruction) is limited to offenses committed before age 21 or based on DNA/misidentification. Different process and criteria than sealing.
The CORI reform and employer access limitations
Even before you seal your record, Massachusetts has rules that limit how employers can use CORI information. Under the CORI Reform Act, most employers cannot ask about criminal history on the initial job application (ban-the-box). They may ask later in the hiring process, but they must follow specific procedures.
Additionally, certain older convictions may not show up on employer CORI checks even before sealing. Misdemeanor convictions more than 3 years old and felony convictions more than 7 years old may be limited in what employers with standard access can see — even without a sealing order. The CORI reform limits the look-back period for many types of employers.
Sealing takes this further: after sealing, most CORI requesters see nothing. But it is worth knowing that CORI reform provides some protection even before you seal.
How to file in Massachusetts
How to file for sealing or expungement in Massachusetts
- 1
Understand whether you want sealing or expungement
1 dayFreeMassachusetts has two separate processes. Sealing (M.G.L. c. 276 § 100A) restricts who can see your record. Expungement (M.G.L. c. 276 § 100E) destroys the record. Most people qualify only for sealing. Expungement in Massachusetts is limited to specific circumstances.
Start by determining whether you may be eligible for expungement. If not, sealing is the appropriate pathway. The criteria are very different.
- 2
Get your CORI
1–3 days$25Request your own CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) from the Massachusetts iCORI system at icori.chs.state.ma.us. This shows your full Massachusetts criminal record as maintained by the Criminal History Systems Board. You need it to see exactly what is on your record and confirm your conviction dates.
Your own CORI is different from what an employer sees. Individual CORI requests show everything. Employer-accessed CORI is limited by CORI reform rules based on employer type.
- 3
Confirm whether automatic sealing has already happened
1 hour after receiving CORIFreeMassachusetts automatically seals eligible records after 3 years (misdemeanors) or 7 years (felonies) from the conviction date. If your conviction meets these thresholds, your record may already be sealed. Check your CORI — a sealed record will show "sealed" rather than the conviction details.
- 4
File a petition for sealing (if not automatically sealed)
1 dayNo filing fee for sealingIf your record qualifies for sealing but has not been automatically sealed, file a petition for sealing with the clerk of the court where you were convicted. Use form CORI-1 available at mass.gov/courts or at the courthouse. Sealing petitions are filed for free.
You must file the petition with the clerk of the specific court where you were convicted. If you had cases in multiple courts, you need to file separately at each court.
- 5
File for expungement (if you may be eligible)
1 dayNo filing feeIf you may be eligible for expungement under M.G.L. c. 276 § 100E (offense committed before age 21, or based on DNA or misidentification), file the petition with the clerk of the court where you were convicted. The process is similar to sealing but results in actual destruction of the record.
The expungement statute for pre-age-21 offenses has specific criteria about the nature of the offense and what you have done since. Review the statute carefully or consult a lawyer before assuming eligibility applies.
- 6
Court review — no hearing for most sealings
30–90 daysNothingFor sealing petitions where the waiting period is clearly met, the court may grant the sealing administratively without a hearing. For expungement petitions, a hearing is typically scheduled. The commissioner of probation has the authority to object.
- 7
Order granted — CORI updated
4–8 weeksNothingWhen your record is sealed or expunged, the court notifies the Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB), which administers CORI. CHSB updates the database. Most CORI inquiries will no longer show the sealed or expunged record.
Pull your own CORI about two months after the order to confirm the update. If something still appears incorrectly, contact CHSB directly.
- Your CORI from Massachusetts iCORI (icori.chs.state.ma.us) — $25
- Court records showing conviction date, charge, and case number
- Completed sealing petition form (CORI-1, available at mass.gov/courts)
- Proof of identity
- If applying for expungement: documentation supporting qualification (pre-age-21 status or DNA/misidentification evidence)
- Two copies of all documents
There is no filing fee for sealing or expungement petitions in Massachusetts. The main cost is the $25 CORI report.
What sealing does and does not do in Massachusetts
- Law enforcement retains full access to sealed records.
- Courts can access sealed records in subsequent criminal proceedings.
- Some employers — including government employers, law enforcement, and those working with children — may retain access to sealed records.
- Federal records are not affected by Massachusetts sealing or expungement.
- Immigration consequences of the original conviction may remain.
- You may be required to disclose sealed records in certain contexts: federal employment, law enforcement applications, and some licensing applications.
After sealing, most private employers and landlords running standard CORI checks will not see the record. That is the practical outcome most people need.
Free and low-cost legal help in Massachusetts
- Greater Boston Legal Services — free civil legal help for income-eligible Boston-area residents. gbls.org or 617-603-1700.
- Massachusetts Legal Aid — statewide legal aid directory at masslegalaid.org.
- Massachusetts Legal Help — free legal information and referrals at masslegalhelp.org.
- Northeast Legal Aid — serving northeastern Massachusetts. northeastlegalaid.org.
- Prisoners' Legal Services — helps incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people with civil legal issues. plsma.org.
- Massachusetts Courts Self-Help Center — forms and information at mass.gov/courts/selfhelp.
- GBLS CORI Project — specific focus on criminal records and CORI issues. gbls.org/our-work/cori-project.
The GBLS CORI Project has specific expertise in Massachusetts record sealing and expungement. If you are in the greater Boston area, they are worth contacting directly.
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