Oregon criminal records
How to clear your criminal record in Oregon
Oregon calls this a set-aside. This guide explains what may qualify, how long you may need to wait, and how the filing path works under ORS 137.225.
A criminal record can keep showing up long after the case is over. Oregon’s set-aside law gives many people a way to stop old records from following them into jobs, housing, and licensing decisions.
Since SB 397, the court filing fee is $0. Oregon also expanded which convictions may be set aside under ORS 137.225.
Use this page to understand what may qualify, how long the wait may be, and which next page to use for timing, cost, or courthouse logistics.
Sources: ACLU Oregon and Prescott & Starr (2020).
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Records clearable
42%
ACLU Oregon estimated that a large share of Oregon records may qualify under current law.
Filed before SB 397
5.5%
Before filing fees were eliminated, only a small fraction of eligible people pursued relief.
Wage lift
+22%
Research shows people often see a material wage increase after clearing the record barrier.
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.
Eligibility
What Oregon law may allow you to clear
Under ORS 137.225, Oregon law generally provides pathways for setting aside several categories of criminal records. Whether a specific record can be set aside depends on the offense type, how much time has passed, and whether all sentence conditions have been met.
Arrests and dismissed cases
Records of arrests that did not result in conviction are generally eligible for set-aside. This includes:
Convictions
Many convictions may be eligible for set-aside after completing the sentence and a waiting period. Oregon law generally provides set-aside for these offense classes per ORS 137.225(1)(a):
Offenses that generally cannot be cleared
Class A Felonies
Person Felonies (per Oregon Criminal Justice Commission)
Specific Excluded Offenses
Other Ineligible Offenses
Not sure where your record falls? The Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Service (503-684-3763) and Oregon Legal Aid can help you understand your specific situation.
Ready to file?
Court-ready forms, step-by-step guide, and process reminders. $149 one-time.
Compare paths
Compare your options
You can file for free on your own, use our guided kit, or hire an attorney. Here’s how the paths differ in cost, effort, and support.
Compare the options
The real tradeoffs
Free is still available. The DIY Kit is for people who want the paperwork and follow-through handled with less friction than doing every step from scratch.
The grid below keeps the choice explicit: do it yourself, use guided prep, or hire counsel.
DIY
Free
DIY Kit
$149
Attorney
$2K–$5K
Price
Court forms
Filing guidance
Time to complete
Fingerprinting help
Prosecutor response tracking
Background check cleanup
Accuracy review
Money-back guarantee
DIY Kit
$149
DIY
Free
Attorney
$2K–$5K
Related pages
Use the rest of the Oregon guide together
Move from the overview into timing, cost, and venue without leaving the same guide family.
Process
Filing steps
The waiting period, filing sequence, and timeline logic that drive the actual petition.
Budget
Cost breakdown
Court fees, supporting costs, and the tradeoff between free DIY work and paid help.
Logistics
Find your courthouse
County routing, venue details, and local legal-help links for filing questions.
DIY kit
Ready to clear your record in Oregon?
Court-ready forms, a filing guide, and reminder support built on the same system as the rest of the Oregon guide.
Or keep using the free resources on this page and file the packet yourself.
Not legal advice. This guide is educational. Laws change. Every case is different. For advice about your situation, consult a qualified attorney (503-684-3763) or legal aid organization.