Senate Bill 288 materially changed Ohio's sealing and expungement framework in 2023. If you looked into clearing your Ohio record before those changes, it is worth checking the current rules again instead of relying on an older answer.
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 SB 288 changed — sealing vs. expungement
Ohio distinguishes between record sealing and expungement. Sealing is the path most people pursue because it restricts access rather than destroying the record.
Ohio treats expungement as a stronger, later destruction remedy rather than just hidden access.
For many people, sealing is still the practical first path to evaluate. If you think you may eventually want expungement, verify the current statute and local forms because the destruction remedy is narrower and later.
Who qualifies — and who does not
Ohio's main conviction-relief framework centers on third-, fourth-, and fifth-degree felonies plus misdemeanors. The counting rules are more nuanced than a simple conviction cap, especially for third-degree felonies and same-act convictions.
- Third-, fourth-, and fifth-degree felonies plus misdemeanors can fall within Ohio's main sealing framework.
- Lower-level records with multiple cases can still qualify, but the counting rules are nuanced.
- Multiple convictions from the same act or the same proceeding can count as one in some situations.
- Some low-level domestic-violence cases may have a sealing-only path even though expungement is unavailable.
- Non-conviction records and a few narrower automatic or prosecutor-initiated paths follow separate rules.
Felony violence, sex offenses, and offenses with child victims under 13 remain major exclusion categories. Some low-level domestic-violence cases are a sealing-only exception.
Waiting periods
Ohio uses different conviction waiting periods depending on offense level, measured from final discharge. Whether unpaid amounts block final discharge can depend on whether they were part of the sentence rather than ordinary court costs.
The clock starts on the date shown below — not your arrest date.
Minor misdemeanor
Clock starts: Date of final discharge
Misdemeanor (1st-4th degree)
Clock starts: Date of final discharge
The clock runs from final discharge, so sentence-completion details still matter.
4th or 5th degree felony
Clock starts: Date of final discharge
Sealing is the earlier path; expungement is a separate destruction remedy that comes later.
3rd degree felony (1 or 2 convictions)
Clock starts: Date of final discharge
Third-degree felonies use extra counting rules and need a careful record review.
Non-conviction records
Clock starts: Date of disposition
Dismissals, acquittals, and no-bills follow different rules from conviction-based sealing and expungement.
Automatic sealing (SB 288)
Clock starts: Date of final discharge
Ohio does not currently use a broad Clean Slate system; the automatic paths are narrower.
Automatic sealing — what SB 288 added
If you think your record may fit one of those narrower paths, treat the current statute, court clerk, or local form packet as the final check rather than assuming the case will be sealed automatically.
The options guide can help you determine whether your offense may qualify for automatic sealing or whether you should file a petition.
The filing process, step by step
Ohio lets you group multiple eligible cases into one application when they belong in the same court, but different courts still require separate filings. The filing-cost structure is per application rather than per case.
How to seal or expunge your Ohio record
- Ohio BCI criminal history and the court records for each case you plan to address
- Court records: case number, charges with ORC section, conviction date, sentence details
- Proof of final discharge: completion records for supervision, incarceration, and sentence-linked obligations
- Completed application paperwork from the clerk or a current form packet
- Fee-waiver paperwork if cost is a barrier
- Government-issued photo ID
- Two copies of everything — one for the court, one for yourself
Not legal advice. This guide explains how the law generally works. Your situation may be different. A lawyer who specializes in expungement can tell you how the law applies to your specific case.
Filing costs and fee waivers
Non-conviction cases can use different procedures and fee treatment, so confirm the current court practice for your case type before assuming the process will be free.
What sealing and expungement actually do — and their limits
- State relief does not automatically control every federal or national database that may carry record information.
- Sealed records are not the same as destroyed records, and some government or licensing contexts may still treat them differently.
- Sensitive employment, licensing, childcare, and law-enforcement contexts may still ask additional questions even after state relief.
- Private screening companies can update more slowly than courts or agencies, so verify downstream reports after the order is entered.
- Immigration and other federal consequences can follow separate rules.
- Ohio treats expungement as a stronger destruction remedy than sealing, and it usually comes later.
For many people, sealing is the first relief to investigate because it is the more common Ohio path.
Free legal help in Ohio
- Ohio Legal Help — free legal information and guided interview tools: ohiolegalhelp.org
- Legal Aid Society of Cleveland — free legal services for qualifying residents: lasclev.org
- Legal Aid Society of Columbus — serves Central Ohio: columbuslegalaid.org
- Legal Aid of Western Ohio — serves 32 counties: lawolaw.org
- Southeastern Ohio Legal Services — seols.org
- Ohio State Bar Association Lawyer Referral: ohiobar.org — reduced-fee consultations
- Ohio courts self-service centers — many county courts have free self-help resources
Ohio Legal Help at ohiolegalhelp.org has a particularly useful guided interview tool that generates the correct forms for your situation. Start there if you are doing this without a lawyer.
Where to start
Start by getting your Ohio criminal history and the court records for each case so you can verify offense level, disposition, and final-discharge details before you file.
SB 288 materially changed Ohio's record-relief framework. Most people still start by evaluating the sealing path first.
Ready to file? We handle the paperwork.
Pre-filled court forms, step-by-step checklist, and process guidance — so you know exactly what to do next.