If you’ve been arrested or convicted of a crime in Arizona, that record can follow you for years, showing up on background checks, rental applications, and job screenings. You might have heard terms like “expungement” and “sealing” used interchangeably, but they mean different things under Arizona law. Understanding Arizona record sealing makes the difference between continuing to live with a public record and getting a genuine fresh start.
Arizona’s laws around clearing criminal records have changed significantly in recent years. As of 2026, knowing which relief you qualify for, what each option actually does, and how the process works can help you move forward without your past holding you back. Big Chad Law has helped countless clients navigate these complex rules to achieve the clean slate they deserve.
Many people search for expungement because that’s the term used in other states. True expungement destroys or erases a criminal record as if the arrest or conviction never happened. Arizona law does not provide expungement in that traditional sense.
Instead, Arizona offers record sealing under Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-911. When the court seals a record, it hides it from public view. The arrest, charge, or conviction won’t show up on most background checks conducted by employers, landlords, or licensing agencies. But the record still exists in restricted databases accessible to law enforcement, courts, and specific government purposes.
Understanding this distinction matters. If someone tells you they can “expunge” your Arizona record, they likely mean sealing. Make sure you know what relief you’re actually applying for and what it accomplishes. Big Chad Law can help clarify exactly what options are available in your specific situation.
Sealing doesn’t erase your record; it sets it apart from public access. Once a court grants your petition to seal, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, courts, and all entities with the records must seal them within approximately 30 days.
After sealing:
Sealing offers meaningful relief for most everyday purposes, but it’s not invisibility. Government agencies with statutory authority can still access sealed records.
Eligibility depends on the type of case, the charge, the outcome, and how much time has passed. Examining each category carefully helps you understand your options.
If you were arrested but never convicted because the court dismissed charges, you were acquitted, or the case was otherwise resolved in your favor, you may petition to seal the arrest record immediately or after a short waiting period.
Eligible situations include:
There’s usually no waiting period for these cases, though there may be a short delay if the court dismissed charges with prejudice or other conditions apply.
You can seal certain convictions, but only after waiting periods and other conditions are met. Under A.R.S. § 13-911, you may petition to seal a conviction if:
Waiting periods for convictions:
| Conviction Type | Waiting Period After Sentence Completion |
|---|---|
| Class 2 or 3 felony | Approximately 10 years |
| Class 4, 5, or 6 felony | Approximately 5 years |
| Class 1 misdemeanor | Approximately 3 years |
| Class 2 or 3 misdemeanor | Approximately 2 years |
| Petty offense, violation, or infraction | No waiting period |
| Marijuana possession (up to 2.5 ounces) under Prop 207 | No waiting period |
These waiting periods start after you finish all terms of your sentence, including probation and parole.
Arizona law excludes certain serious offenses from sealing, regardless of time passed or rehabilitation. You cannot seal:
If you were convicted of multiple offenses in the same case, all charges must be eligible for sealing. One ineligible conviction can block sealing for the entire case.
Arizona also offers set-aside under A.R.S. § 13-907. Set-aside and sealing serve different purposes, and you can pursue both.
Set-aside releases you from most penalties and civil disabilities of a conviction after you complete your sentence. The court changes the verdict from “guilty” to “dismissed,” and the case shows as set aside on your record. This helps with employment and licensing in some cases. But the conviction remains visible on background checks and public records.
Sealing, by contrast, hides the record from most public searches. It doesn’t change the legal outcome; it restricts who can see it.
Many people get a set-aside first (which has no waiting period beyond sentence completion for most convictions) and then apply to seal the record once the waiting period is satisfied. Set-aside can make you eligible for certain jobs and professional licenses even before sealing, and obtaining a set-aside does not prevent later sealing if you meet the criteria. Big Chad Law routinely handles both set-aside and sealing petitions to maximize our clients’ opportunities.
Sealing your record requires filing a petition with the court that handled your case. The process generally involves:
Mistakes in paperwork, missed deadlines, or incomplete sentence terms can delay or derail a sealing petition. Many people hire an attorney to handle the process, particularly for felony convictions or cases with objections. Big Chad Law handles every step of the sealing process to ensure your petition is done right the first time.
Arizona voters approved Proposition 207 in 2020, legalizing recreational marijuana for adults. The law also allowed people with certain marijuana convictions to petition for sealing or expungement.
If you were convicted of possessing, consuming, or transporting up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana (or specific amounts of concentrate), or related paraphernalia offenses, you may petition to seal those convictions immediately, no waiting period.
Prop 207 offenses are among the few convictions eligible for immediate sealing. If your only criminal record involves qualifying marijuana offenses, clearing that record can happen relatively quickly.
The court presumes sealing is in the interest of justice for Prop 207-eligible offenses unless the state shows a compelling reason otherwise.
Sealed records still exist. Government agencies with statutory authority can access them:
Courts can also order unsealing of sealed records if you’re charged with a subsequent offense. The court can unseal them during the pendency of new charges or if you’re convicted.
When applying for jobs, housing, or education, you can generally answer “no” when asked about arrests or convictions for sealed offenses. But understand the limitations for government jobs, regulated professions, and firearms rights.
Sealing a conviction does not automatically restore your right to possess firearms if you lost that right due to the conviction. Arizona and federal law impose separate prohibitions.
If you want to restore gun rights after a felony conviction, you typically need:
Sealing can help you move on in daily life, but restoring specific civil rights often requires additional legal steps. The attorneys at Big Chad Law can evaluate your eligibility for firearm rights restoration alongside your sealing petition.
Juvenile adjudications (the equivalent of convictions in juvenile court) and arrests follow different rules under Arizona’s juvenile code. Courts can destroy or seal many juvenile records after you turn 18 and meet certain criteria, including time passed since the case ended and no subsequent convictions.
If you have a juvenile record, check A.R.S. § 8-349 and related statutes. The process and eligibility differ from adult sealing, and you can clear many juvenile offenses sooner than adult convictions.
Filing too early is one of the most common errors. If you petition before the waiting period ends or before completing restitution, the court will deny the petition. You may have to wait and refile.
Other mistakes include:
Courts don’t have discretion to waive statutory waiting periods or eligibility requirements. If the law says you must wait a certain number of years, you must wait that full period.
Once you file a complete, accurate petition with no objections, courts can grant sealing within a timeframe ranging from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the court’s calendar and workload.
If the prosecutor or victim objects, the court will schedule a hearing. Preparing for and attending that hearing can add additional time to the process.
After the court grants the order, agencies have approximately 30 days to seal the records. You can request confirmation from Arizona DPS that the records are sealed. Some background check databases may take longer to update, especially third-party services that don’t regularly refresh their data.
If you’re applying for a job or housing and need the record cleared quickly, plan ahead. Sealing isn’t instant.
Arizona courts can only seal Arizona records. If you were convicted in another state, you must apply for relief under that state’s laws.
However, if you have both Arizona and out-of-state records, clearing your Arizona record still benefits you within the state and for most private background checks that query Arizona databases.
If your out-of-state conviction affects your Arizona criminal history, such as being used for prior conviction sentencing enhancements, consult an attorney about whether sealing or other relief is available in that jurisdiction.
As Arizona’s criminal justice system continues to evolve in 2026, understanding record sealing becomes increasingly important for anyone seeking a fresh start. Recent legislative sessions have refined eligibility requirements and streamlined certain processes, making it more crucial than ever to understand the current state of the law. What worked even a few years ago may not reflect today’s reality, and staying informed ensures you don’t miss opportunities that are now available under updated statutes.
Whether you’re dealing with an old arrest, a conviction from years past, or a recent case that’s been resolved, knowing your sealing options gives you the power to take control of your future. Employment opportunities, professional licensing, housing applications, and educational programs all become more accessible when you successfully seal eligible records. Record sealing isn’t just a legal technicality; it’s about reclaiming your life and moving forward without the weight of past mistakes holding you back.
Your criminal record doesn’t have to define your future. If you’re eligible to seal an arrest or conviction, taking action now can open doors to better jobs, housing, and opportunities you’ve been missing.
Big Chad Law helps Arizonans clear their criminal records and move forward. We know Arizona’s sealing laws, how to handle objections, and what it takes to get the court’s approval. Whether you’re dealing with an old arrest that never led to conviction, a misdemeanor you’ve put behind you, or a felony conviction you’ve worked hard to overcome, we’ll review your case, confirm your eligibility, and walk you through the process.
Don’t let a past mistake keep holding you back. Contact Big Chad Law today for a free consultation. We’ll give you straight answers about record sealing and exactly how to do it.
Yes, in many cases. Most DUI misdemeanors are eligible for sealing after completing your sentence and satisfying the applicable waiting period (typically around three years for a class 1 misdemeanor DUI). Felony DUIs have longer waiting periods. DUIs involving serious injury or death may face additional restrictions. The sealed record won’t appear on standard background checks, but the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Motor Vehicle Division may still access the record for driver’s license and insurance purposes.
No, sealing does not automatically restore firearm rights. If you lost gun rights due to a felony conviction, you need a separate court order restoring civil rights or a set-aside followed by restoration, depending on the offense. Federal firearms prohibitions may still apply even after Arizona restores state rights, especially for certain felonies. Consult an attorney if firearm rights are important to you.
Most private employers conducting standard background checks will not see a sealed record. You can legally answer “no” when asked about the sealed offense on most job applications. However, government agencies, fingerprint clearance card reviews, and jobs requiring high-security clearances may still access sealed records. If you’re applying for a position working with children, vulnerable adults, or in law enforcement, assume the sealed record may still be visible in those contexts.
Filing fees vary by court but typically range from approximately $150 to $300 per case. If you hire an attorney, legal fees depend on the complexity of your case, the number of charges, and whether objections are filed. Straightforward sealing petitions may cost in the range of $1,000 to $2,500 in attorney fees, while contested or complex cases can cost more. Some courts offer fee waivers if you can’t afford the filing fee.
Each case typically requires a separate petition, especially if the cases were filed in different courts or involved different arrests. However, if multiple charges arose from the same arrest and were consolidated in one case, they’re usually addressed in a single sealing petition. You’ll need to meet eligibility requirements for every charge in every case you want sealed. One ineligible charge in a case usually blocks sealing for the entire case.
Sealed records can be unsealed if you’re charged with a new offense. Prosecutors and courts can access the sealed record during the pendency of new charges and may use it in plea negotiations, sentencing, or trial. If you’re convicted of a new crime, the previously sealed record may remain unsealed or be considered in sentencing. Sealing is not permanent protection if you reoffend.
Disclaimer: This article is provided by Big Chad Law for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, fees, regulations, and court decisions referenced may change. For advice on your specific situation, please contact Big Chad Law directly to schedule a consultation.