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Expungement or redeemer act in Alabama

Can I clear my record in Alabama?

Alabama's expungement law mainly covers misdemeanor and felony charges that did not end in a conviction, such as dismissals, no-bills and not-guilty verdicts.

You have to apply

How did your case end?

Pick the one that matches. We'll show the routes Alabama law offers for it, with the wait and the cost.

Pick an answer above to see your routes, waits and costs.

At a glance

Since the 2021 REDEEMER Act, some misdemeanor, violation, traffic and municipal ordinance convictions can also be expunged three years after conviction, but a felony conviction generally can be expunged only after a pardon that restores your civil and political rights. The filing fee is $500 per arrest, which the court must waive if it finds you indigent. DUI and other serious traffic convictions cannot be expunged, and judges have discretion to deny.1,2,3,4

Checked October 21, 2026 against 19 sources, starting with Alabama law, then by a second reader.

What it's called
Expungement or redeemer act1,2,3
Automatic clearing
No, you have to apply3,14
DUI or DWI
Can't be cleared1,7,12
Filing fee
$5001,2,3
Fee waiver
Available1,2,3

Expungement

Expunging charges that did not lead to a conviction

The court orders its own records and those of other agencies, including law enforcement, expunged. The proceedings are 'deemed never to have occurred,' and the court and agencies must reply to inquiries that no record exists. You do not have to disclose the record on applications for employment, credit or other applications, but you must disclose it to government regulatory or licensing agencies, utilities and banks or other financial institutions, which may inspect the records after notice to the court (Ala. Code 15-27-6). Expunged records can still be shared with criminal justice agencies and prosecutors, utilities, the Department of Human Resources for child or vulnerable-adult investigations, and entities serving financial institutions as required by law (Ala. Code 15-27-1(c)). Board of Pardons and Paroles reports and prosecutor records are not expunged (Ala. Code 15-27-6).1,2,3

What it's for: Misdemeanor, violation, traffic, municipal ordinance and felony charges that were dismissed, no-billed, nolle prossed, quashed, ended in a not-guilty verdict, or were dismissed after a diversion or specialty court program.

Who can use it

  • Misdemeanor, violation, traffic violation or municipal ordinance charges (Ala. Code 15-27-1(a)) and felony charges (Ala. Code 15-27-2(a)) that were dismissed with prejudice, no-billed by a grand jury, ended in a not-guilty verdict, or were nolle prossed without conditions and not refiled, after more than 90 days.
  • An indictment that was quashed, once the time to refile has run or the prosecutor confirms it won't be refiled (Ala. Code 15-27-1(a), 15-27-2(a)).
  • A charge dismissed after you completed drug court, mental health court, diversion, veterans court or another court-approved deferred prosecution program, one year after completion (Ala. Code 15-27-1(a)(6), 15-27-2(a)(6)).
  • A charge dismissed without prejudice and not refiled: after more than 1 year and no other conviction in the previous 2 years for misdemeanor-level charges; after more than 5 years and no conviction in the previous 5 years for felony charges (minor traffic violations don't count) (Ala. Code 15-27-1(a)(7), 15-27-2(a)).
  • A charge you committed as a human trafficking victim, if you prove it by a preponderance of the evidence (Ala. Code 15-27-1(a)(8), 15-27-2(a)).
  • Felony charges qualify whatever the offense, including violent offenses: Ala. Code 15-27-2(a) covers a person 'charged with any felony offense.' The violent-offense exclusions in 15-27-2(b) and (c) apply to convictions.
  • There is no limit on most non-conviction expungements. Program-completion dismissals fall under the two-expungement limit in Ala. Code 15-27-2.1(a)(3), and all charges from the same arrest or incident count as one expungement (Ala. Code 15-27-2.1(b)). Since October 1, 2025 the court also has discretion over the number of cases expunged after your first (Ala. Code 15-27-5, as amended by SB 88).

What doesn't qualify

  • A charge dismissed without prejudice that has been refiled, or where you have a disqualifying conviction in the 2-year (misdemeanor-level) or 5-year (felony) look-back period (Ala. Code 15-27-1(a)(7), 15-27-2(a)(7)).
  • There is no right to expungement: the court may deny a petition in its discretion after weighing listed factors, though it 'shall grant' it if reasonably satisfied you meet the requirements (Ala. Code 15-27-5).

How long you have to wait

RecordWaiting period
Charge dismissed with prejudice, no-billed, not-guilty verdict, or nolle prossed (not refiled)More than 90 daysAla. Code 15-27-1(a), 15-27-2(a)
Dismissed after completing drug court, diversion or similar program1 year after completing the programAla. Code 15-27-1(a)(6), 15-27-2(a)(6)
Misdemeanor, violation, traffic or ordinance charge dismissed without prejudiceMore than 1 year, not refiledNo conviction for a felony, misdemeanor, violation or non-minor traffic violation in the previous 2 years (Ala. Code 15-27-1(a)(7)).
Felony charge dismissed without prejudiceMore than 5 years, not refiledNo conviction in the previous 5 years, other than minor traffic violations (Ala. Code 15-27-2(a)).

How to apply

  1. Get a certified copy of your criminal history from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) using CJIS Form 46, and a certified arrest record or court disposition / case action summary for the charge (ALEA; Form CR-65).
  2. Fill out Form CR-65, Petition for Expungement of Records. Check one eligibility ground, list every agency holding records, and sign under oath before a notary (Form CR-65; Ala. Code 15-27-3).
  3. File it in the circuit court of the county where you were charged, with the $500 fee or an indigency request (Form CR-65; Ala. Code 15-27-1(d), 15-27-4).
  4. Serve copies on the district attorney, the law enforcement agency and the clerk of court (Ala. Code 15-27-3). Form CR-65 warns that records held by parties who are not served may not be expunged, or expungement may be delayed.
  5. The district attorney and the victim have 45 days to object in writing (Ala. Code 15-27-3). If someone objects, the court sets a hearing no sooner than 30 days after the objection (Ala. Code 15-27-5, as amended by SB 88, effective October 1, 2025).
Where to file
The circuit court (criminal division) in the county where the charges were filed (Ala. Code 15-27-1(d), 15-27-2(a); Form CR-65).
Cost
A $500 administrative filing fee, paid when you file, plus any court costs or docket fees. One fee covers all charges from one arrest; each separate arrest needs its own fee. If the original court found on the record that there was no probable cause for the arrest, docket fees and court costs (but not the $500) are waived (Ala. Code 15-27-4; Form CR-65). Certified records cost extra.
If you can't pay
You can ask to file without paying. File an Affidavit of Substantial Hardship and Order with your petition; if the court finds you indigent, it 'shall waive the filing fee' (Ala. Code 15-27-4). Form CR-65 also says the fee may be waived for indigency.
Court hearing
Sometimes

Official forms

Expungement

Expunging misdemeanor, violation, traffic and ordinance convictions

Same effect as other Alabama expungements: the proceedings are deemed never to have occurred and you need not disclose them on employment, credit or other applications, but you must disclose them to government licensing or regulatory agencies, utilities and financial institutions (Ala. Code 15-27-6). Records may still be shared with criminal justice agencies and the other entities listed in Ala. Code 15-27-1(c).1,11,12

What it's for: Misdemeanor, violation, traffic violation and municipal ordinance convictions, and youthful offender adjudications on those charges, that are not violent, sex, moral turpitude or serious traffic offenses.

Who can use it

  • A conviction for a misdemeanor, violation, traffic violation or municipal ordinance violation, or a youthful offender adjudication on such a charge (Ala. Code 15-27-1(b)).
  • You have finished all probation or parole and paid all fines, costs, restitution and other court-ordered amounts, as shown by the court or agency (Ala. Code 15-27-1(b)).
  • At least three years have passed since the conviction (Ala. Code 15-27-1(b)).
  • A crime that was a felony when you were convicted but was reclassified as a misdemeanor by Act 2015-185 can qualify even if it involves moral turpitude, if you have had no arrest (other than minor traffic) in the 15 years before filing (Ala. Code 15-27-1(b)).
  • Lifetime limit: Ala. Code 15-27-2.1(a)(3) says a person 'may only be granted two expungements pursuant to' this provision and the two program-completion provisions. Read literally, that is two in total across all three, but Form CR-65 states the program limit separately, so whether it is two in total or two of each is unsettled. All convictions from one arrest or incident count as one (Ala. Code 15-27-2.1(b)), and since October 1, 2025 the court has discretion over the number of cases expunged after your first (Ala. Code 15-27-5, as amended by SB 88).

What doesn't qualify

  • A violent offense as defined in Ala. Code 12-25-32 (Ala. Code 15-27-1(b)).
  • A sex offense as defined in Ala. Code 15-20A-5 (Ala. Code 15-27-1(b)).
  • An offense involving moral turpitude under Ala. Code 17-3-30.1, except the Act 2015-185 reclassification exception (Ala. Code 15-27-1(b)).
  • A serious traffic offense under Article 9 of Chapter 5A of Title 32, which includes reckless driving, homicide by vehicle, DUI and fleeing or attempting to elude police (Ala. Code 15-27-1(b); Ala. Code 32-5A-190 to 32-5A-196).
  • An offense listed in 49 C.F.R. 383.51 if you held a commercial driver license or permit, or were driving a commercial motor vehicle, at the time (Ala. Code 15-27-1(b)).

How long you have to wait

RecordWaiting period
Misdemeanor, violation, traffic or ordinance conviction3 years from the convictionAnd all probation or parole completed and all fines, costs and restitution paid (Ala. Code 15-27-1(b)).

How to apply

  1. Get your certified ALEA criminal history and a certified court disposition or case action summary.
  2. Complete Section II of Form CR-65 and confirm each listed condition; file one petition for each charge or conviction (Form CR-65).
  3. File in the circuit court of the county where you were charged, pay the $500 fee or ask for an indigency waiver, and serve the district attorney, the law enforcement agency and the clerk (Ala. Code 15-27-3, 15-27-4).
  4. Wait for the 45-day objection period; if the district attorney or victim objects, the court holds a hearing (Ala. Code 15-27-3, 15-27-5).
Where to file
The circuit court in the county where you were charged (Ala. Code 15-27-1(d); Form CR-65).
Cost
$500 per arrest, plus any court costs or docket fees (Ala. Code 15-27-4).
If you can't pay
You can ask to file without paying. Submit an Affidavit of Substantial Hardship and Order with the petition; if the court finds you indigent, it must waive the filing fee (Ala. Code 15-27-4).
Court hearing
Sometimes

Official forms

Expungement

Expunging a felony conviction after a pardon

Same effect as other Alabama expungements (Ala. Code 15-27-6).2,7,11

What it's for: One felony conviction for which you have received a full pardon with restoration of civil and political rights.

Who can use it

  • The Board of Pardons and Paroles has granted you a certificate of pardon with restoration of civil and political rights, and all rights you lost have been restored (Ala. Code 15-27-2(c)).
  • At least 180 days have passed since the pardon certificate was issued (Ala. Code 15-27-2(c)).
  • Only one felony conviction expungement is allowed in a lifetime (Ala. Code 15-27-2.1(a)(2)).

What doesn't qualify

  • Violent offenses under Ala. Code 12-25-32, except three trafficking-related offenses for proven trafficking victims (Ala. Code 15-27-2(b), (c)).
  • Sex offenses under Ala. Code 15-20A-5 (Ala. Code 15-27-2(c)).
  • Offenses involving moral turpitude, except the Act 2015-185 reclassification exception (Ala. Code 15-27-2(c)).
  • Serious traffic offenses, including felony DUI and homicide by vehicle (Ala. Code 15-27-2(c); Title 32, Chapter 5A, Article 9).
  • Offenses listed in 49 C.F.R. 383.51 if you held a commercial license or permit or were driving a commercial vehicle (Ala. Code 15-27-2(c)).

How long you have to wait

RecordWaiting period
Pardoned felony conviction180 days after the pardon certificate is issuedAla. Code 15-27-2(c)

How to apply

  1. First obtain a pardon with restoration of civil and political rights from the Board of Pardons and Paroles (a separate process not covered here).
  2. After 180 days, complete Section V of Form CR-65 and file it in the circuit court of the county where you were charged, with the $500 fee or an indigency request, and serve the district attorney, law enforcement agency and clerk (Form CR-65; Ala. Code 15-27-3, 15-27-4).
Where to file
The circuit court in the county where you were charged (Ala. Code 15-27-2(c); Form CR-65).
Cost
$500 per arrest, plus any court costs or docket fees (Ala. Code 15-27-4).
If you can't pay
You can ask to file without paying. Affidavit of Substantial Hardship and Order; the court must waive the fee if it finds you indigent (Ala. Code 15-27-4).
Court hearing
Sometimes

Official forms

Automatic clearing

Alabama has no automatic expungement; every expungement needs a petition and the $500 fee or a fee waiver (Ala. Code 15-27-3, 15-27-4). Two 2026 bills did not become law as far as we found: HB 261, which would have changed non-conviction expungement (its House Judiciary substitute would have cut some 90-day waits to 30 days), and HB 535 (pardoned, vacated or overturned convictions).3,14

DUI and DWI records in Alabama

A DUI conviction cannot be expunged in Alabama. Misdemeanor convictions and pardoned felony convictions are excluded if they are a 'serious traffic offense' under Article 9 of Chapter 5A of Title 32, and that article includes driving under the influence (Ala. Code 32-5A-191), homicide by vehicle, reckless driving and fleeing police (Ala. Code 15-27-1(b), 15-27-2(c)). Form CR-65 asks you to confirm the conviction is not a serious traffic offense. A DUI charge that ended without a conviction is treated differently: the non-conviction provisions cover misdemeanor and traffic charges that were dismissed, no-billed, nolle prossed or ended in acquittal, or were dismissed after a diversion program, and they do not list a serious-traffic exclusion (Ala. Code 15-27-1(a)). Commercial drivers face an extra bar for offenses listed in 49 C.F.R. 383.51.1,7,12

Arrests and dismissed charges

Most of Alabama's expungement law is for charges that did not end in a conviction. Misdemeanor, traffic, violation, ordinance and felony charges can be expunged more than 90 days after a dismissal with prejudice, no-bill, not-guilty verdict or unconditional nolle pros; one year after completing a diversion or specialty court program; and 1 year (misdemeanors) or 5 years (felonies) after a dismissal without prejudice if there are no new convictions. This includes felony charges for violent offenses: the felony charge section covers 'any felony offense,' and its violent-offense exclusions apply only to convictions (Ala. Code 15-27-2). The $500 fee and the court's discretion apply (Ala. Code 15-27-1, 15-27-2, 15-27-4, 15-27-5).1,2,10

What employers can see afterward

After an expungement you do not have to disclose the record or related matters on applications for employment, credit or other applications. You must still disclose it to government regulatory or licensing agencies, utilities and their affiliates, and banks or other financial institutions, which may inspect the expunged records after filing notice with the court (Ala. Code 15-27-6). We did not find or confirm a statewide fair-chance or ban-the-box law covering private employers in Alabama.6

Free help in Alabama

Before you file

  • You can ask a background screening company for the information it has on you, and the CFPB keeps a list of consumer reporting companies, including employment screening companies, with their contact details.15,16,17
  • The FCRA's seven-year limit does not apply to criminal convictions, so under federal law a conviction can show up on a background report no matter how old it is.18,19

This page explains Alabama's rules in general terms from the law and official court sources. It isn't legal advice, and laws change. A legal aid office or the court's self-help center can tell you whether your own record qualifies.

Spot something out of date? Tell us at contact@secondchanceindex.com.

Cite this page

Second Chance Index, "Can I clear my record in Alabama?" https://secondchanceindex.com/record-clearing/alabama, checked October 21, 2026.

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Sources

Each source was opened and checked on October 21, 2026.

  1. Ala. Code 15-27-1 to 15-27-6
  2. Ala. Code 15-27-2 (2025 Code of Alabama, republished)Justia, republishing the Code of Alabama
  3. Ala. Code 15-27-3 (2025 Code of Alabama, republished)Justia, republishing the Code of Alabama
  4. Ala. Code 15-27-4 (2025 Code of Alabama, republished)Justia, republishing the Code of Alabama
  5. Ala. Code 15-27-5 (2025 Code of Alabama, republished)Justia, republishing the Code of Alabama
  6. Ala. Code 15-27-6 (2025 Code of Alabama, republished)Justia, republishing the Code of Alabama
  7. Form CR-65, Petition for Expungement of Records (rev. 10/2024)Alabama Unified Judicial System
  8. Criminal Record ExpungementAlabama Law Enforcement Agency
  9. SB 88 (2025), enrolledAlabama Legislature
  10. SB 223 (2025), introduced (reprints current Ala. Code 15-27-2)Alabama Legislature
  11. Ala. Code 15-27-2.1 (2025 Code of Alabama, republished)Justia, republishing the Code of Alabama
  12. Ala. Code Title 32, Chapter 5A, Article 9: Serious Traffic Offenses (republished)Justia, republishing the Code of Alabama
  13. SB 117 (2021), REDEEMER Act, enrolledAlabama Legislature
  14. HB 261 (2026), House Judiciary substituteAlabama Legislature
  15. List of consumer reporting companiesConsumer Financial Protection Bureau
  16. What Employment Background Screening Companies Need to Know About the Fair Credit Reporting ActFederal Trade Commission
  17. Employer Background Checks and Your RightsFederal Trade Commission
  18. 15 U.S. Code § 1681c - Requirements relating to information contained in consumer reportsLegal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (U.S. Code text)
  19. Advisory Opinion to Nadell (12-10-98)Federal Trade Commission (staff advisory opinion)