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Expungement or deferred judgment in Iowa

Can I clear my record in Iowa?

Iowa keeps most criminal records public, and felony convictions can't be expunged.

Limited automatic clearing

How did your case end?

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

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

At a glance

A deferred judgment is expunged once probation ends and the costs in the case are paid. Cases that ended in dismissal or acquittal can be expunged on application after 180 days. Each person can expunge one misdemeanor conviction (or a group from the same incident) in their lifetime, more than 8 years after conviction, but many misdemeanors, including OWI, domestic abuse assault and weapons offenses, are excluded. Public intoxication and underage alcohol convictions have their own 2-year route.1,2,3,4

Checked October 22, 2026 against 32 sources, starting with Iowa law, then by a second reader.

What it's called
Expungement or deferred judgment1,2,3
Automatic clearing
Limited1,6,21
DUI or DWI
Sometimes4,7,23
Filing fee
Varies1,2,3
Fee waiver
Not confirmed

Expungement

Expungement of a completed deferred judgment

The court's record of the deferred judgment, and the counts dismissed with it, are segregated in a secure database and become a confidential record exempt from public access (Iowa Code §§ 907.1(3), 907.9(4)(b)). The record is not destroyed: the clerk still gives it, without a court order, to judges, clerks, judicial district correctional services, county attorneys, the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Corrections, and the statewide deferred judgment docket keeps a permanent record (§ 907.4). After notice that probation was completed, the Department of Public Safety releases the criminal history only to justice agencies, the person, or someone with the person's signed release (§ 692.2(1)(b)(4)).1,2,3

What it's for: Guilty pleas or verdicts where the court deferred judgment and the person completed probation.

Who can use it

  • The court deferred judgment under § 907.3 and you were discharged from probation (§ 907.9(4)(b)).
  • You have paid the restitution, civil penalties, court costs, fees and other financial obligations in the case (§ 907.9(4)(b)).
  • Counts in the same charging document are expunged along with the deferred judgment. Related dismissed charges filed separately are expunged only by a court order that names them (§ 907.9(4)(c)).

What doesn't qualify

  • A deferred judgment that the court revoked. If it was a misdemeanor, the conviction may still qualify for misdemeanor expungement under § 901C.3 (Iowa Legal Aid).
  • Dismissed counts are not expunged if any count in the case ended in a conviction (other than contempt) that was not expunged (§ 907.9(4)(d)).
  • Deferred judgments aren't available at all for forcible felonies, people with a prior felony conviction, people who already had two deferred judgments, and several listed offenses, including many OWI cases (§ 907.3(1)).

How long you have to wait

RecordWaiting period
Deferred judgmentOn discharge from probation, once the financial obligations in the case are paid§ 907.9(4)(b).

Some records clear automatically. The statute says the record 'shall be expunged' upon discharge once the case costs are paid (§ 907.9(4)(b)). Iowa Legal Aid says deferred judgments completed after July 1, 2013 should be expunged automatically, but people who completed one before then must apply, and people on unsupervised probation (common in rural counties) may need to file a motion and proposed order.

How to apply

  1. Finish probation and pay everything owed in the case, or set up a payment plan with the clerk or county attorney so you can be discharged (§ 907.9(4)(a)).
  2. Check the online court docket. If the case is still public after discharge and payment, file a motion and proposed order asking the court to expunge it under § 907.9 (Iowa Legal Aid).
  3. If related charges were filed in a separate case and dismissed, ask the court for an order that names them (§ 907.9(4)(c)(2)).
Where to file
The district court that granted the deferred judgment.
Cost
No separate expungement fee is listed in § 907.9. All court costs, fees, civil penalties and restitution in the case must be paid first.

Expungement

Expungement of dismissed cases and acquittals

The court record of the case becomes a confidential record exempt from public access. The clerk still gives it, without a court order, to the person and to the agencies with access to the deferred judgment docket (judges, clerks, correctional services, county attorneys, the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Corrections); anyone else needs a court order (Iowa Code § 901C.2(2); Iowa R. Crim. P. 2.84(1)).7,8,9

What it's for: Criminal cases in which every charge was dismissed or ended in acquittal.

Who can use it

  • Every charge in the case ended in acquittal or was otherwise dismissed (§ 901C.2(1)(a)(1)). Under the court rule, a case that became inactive because all charges were moved to another case number counts as dismissed (Rule 2.80(6)). Iowa Legal Aid says this also covers cases marked 'not filed,' 'merged,' 'transferred' or 'withdrawn.'
  • All court costs, fees and other financial obligations in the case have been paid (§ 901C.2(1)(a)(2); Rule 2.83(3)).
  • At least 180 days have passed since the acquittal or dismissal of all charges, unless the court finds good cause to waive the wait, for example identity theft or mistaken identity (§ 901C.2(1)(a)(3)).
  • The charges were public offenses. Iowa Legal Aid says this leaves out non-indictable scheduled traffic violations and local traffic ordinance charges.

What doesn't qualify

  • Cases where any count ended in a conviction. All counts must be dismissed or acquitted (§ 901C.2(1)(a)(1); Iowa Legal Aid).
  • Dismissals after a deferred judgment; those are expunged under § 907.9 instead (§ 901C.2(3)).
  • Cases dismissed because the person was found not guilty by reason of insanity, or where the person was found incompetent to stand trial (§ 901C.2(1)(a)(4)-(5)).

How long you have to wait

RecordWaiting period
Acquittal or dismissal of all charges180 days after the acquittal or dismissalThe court may waive the wait for good cause, such as identity theft or mistaken identity (§ 901C.2(1)(a)(3)).

How to apply

  1. Wait 180 days after the dismissal or acquittal and pay any costs owed in the case.
  2. Fill out Rule 2.86 Form 1, Application to Expunge Court Record under Iowa Code section 901C.2.
  3. File it electronically in the same case through the Iowa Judicial Branch eFile system (required for most filers), which notifies the county attorney. If the case isn't on eFile, file on paper with the clerk and mail or deliver a copy to the county attorney.
  4. The county attorney has 20 days to respond. The court grants the application if the requirements are met and may hold a hearing (Rule 2.83).
Where to file
The Iowa district court, in the case you want expunged (Rule 2.80(3)).
Cost
Neither the statute, the clerk fee statutes (Iowa Code §§ 602.8105, 602.8106), the court rules nor the official form lists a filing fee. Court costs in the case must be paid before expungement.
Court hearing
Sometimes
How long it takes
The county attorney may respond within 20 days after service, unless the court orders otherwise (Rule 2.83(1)).

Official forms

Expungement

One-time misdemeanor conviction expungement

The court record becomes a confidential record exempt from public access, available only by court order (Iowa Code § 901C.3(4); Iowa R. Crim. P. 2.84(2)). After the clerk gives notice, the conviction is removed from the Department of Public Safety's criminal history files (§ 901C.3(5)). The courts keep a confidential list of expunged misdemeanors to enforce the one-time limit (Rule 2.85).7,8,12

What it's for: One misdemeanor conviction, or several from the same incident, more than 8 years after conviction, unless the offense is on the excluded list.

Who can use it

  • A misdemeanor conviction, with more than 8 years passed since the date of conviction (not the arrest) (§ 901C.3(1)(a); Iowa Judicial Branch instructions).
  • You have no pending criminal charges. Any pending public offense counts (§ 901C.3(1)(b); Rule 2.83(4)), though the court's instructions say minor traffic tickets, such as a parking or seat belt ticket, don't count.
  • You have not previously been granted two deferred judgments. Deferred judgments granted at the same time count as one (§ 901C.3(1)(c); Rule 2.83(5)).
  • You have paid all court costs, fees, fines, restitution and other financial obligations in the case or cases (§ 901C.3(1)(d); Rule 2.83(3)).
  • Once in a lifetime. One application can cover several misdemeanors from the same transaction or occurrence, even in different case numbers, if all are listed and the application is filed in each case (§ 901C.3(3); Rule 2.81(4)).
  • It applies to misdemeanor convictions from any date (§ 901C.3(7)).

What doesn't qualify

  • Felony convictions.
  • OWI (§ 321J.2), and driving while suspended, revoked or barred offenses under §§ 321.218, 321A.32 and 321J.21 (§ 901C.3(2)(c)-(d)).
  • Public intoxication (§ 123.46) and simple-misdemeanor underage alcohol possession (§ 123.47(3)); these have their own route (§ 901C.3(2)(a)-(b)).
  • Sex offenses (§ 692A.101), involuntary manslaughter (§ 707.5), assault under § 708.2(3), domestic abuse assault (§ 708.2A), harassment (§ 708.7), stalking (§ 708.11) and removing an officer's communication or control device (§ 708.12) (§ 901C.3(2)(e)-(k)).
  • Trespass under § 716.8(3) or (4); convictions under chapters 717C, 719, 720, 724 (weapons), 726 (which now includes dependent adult abuse, formerly § 235B.20), 728 and 901A; and §§ 721.2, 721.10 and 723.1 (§ 901C.3(2)(l)-(v)).
  • Offenses comparable to the commercial driver's license disqualifying offenses in 49 C.F.R. § 383.51(b) or (e), and comparable offenses under prior law, such as dependent adult abuse under former § 235B.20, which the official form lists as ineligible (§ 901C.3(2)(w)-(x); Rule 2.86 Form 2).
  • Anyone who already used this one-time expungement (§ 901C.3(3)).

How long you have to wait

RecordWaiting period
Eligible misdemeanor convictionMore than 8 years after the date of convictionNo pending charges, no more than one prior deferred judgment, and all money owed in the case paid (§ 901C.3(1)).

How to apply

  1. Find every conviction that came from the same incident; they must all go on one application, because you get only one in your lifetime (Iowa Judicial Branch instructions).
  2. Order your Iowa criminal history from the Division of Criminal Investigation ($15). It must be no more than 30 days old when you file (Rule 2.81(2); instructions).
  3. Fill out Rule 2.86 Form 2, Application to Expunge Misdemeanor Court Records under Iowa Code section 901C.3, and attach the DCI record.
  4. File it in each case you want expunged, through eFile or on paper with the clerk in the county of conviction, and serve the county attorney.
  5. The county attorney has 20 days to respond. The court must grant the expungement if the requirements are met and may hold a hearing (§ 901C.3(1); Rule 2.83).
Where to file
The Iowa district court in the county where the conviction happened, filed in each case (§ 901C.3(1); Rule 2.81).
Cost
The official form and instructions list no filing fee, and we found none in chapter 901C or the clerk fee statutes (Iowa Code §§ 602.8105, 602.8106). The required Division of Criminal Investigation criminal history check costs $15. All money owed in the case must be paid first.
Court hearing
Sometimes
How long it takes
The county attorney may respond within 20 days after service (Rule 2.83(1)).

Official forms

Expungement

Expungement of public intoxication and underage alcohol convictions

The conviction is 'expunged as a matter of law': the court record becomes confidential and exempt from public access, available only by court order, and the conviction is removed from the Department of Public Safety's criminal history files (Iowa Code §§ 123.46(6), 123.47(9); Iowa R. Crim. P. 2.84(3)). An expunged underage alcohol conviction can't be used as a prior offense for a later violation that happens after the expungement order (§ 123.47(9)).16,17,18

What it's for: Convictions for public consumption or intoxication (§ 123.46) and for buying, trying to buy, drinking or possessing alcohol under the legal age (§ 123.47(3)), or similar local ordinances.

Who can use it

  • A conviction for public consumption or intoxication under § 123.46, or a similar local ordinance (§ 123.46(6)).
  • A conviction for buying, trying to buy, drinking or possessing alcohol under the legal age of 21 under § 123.47(3), or a similar local ordinance (§§ 123.3, 123.47(9)).
  • At least 2 years have passed since the conviction, with no other criminal convictions during those 2 years except local traffic violations or simple misdemeanor violations of chapter 321 (§§ 123.46(6), 123.47(9)).
  • Unlike the other expungements, you don't have to pay off court debt in the case first (Rule 2.83(3)).
  • There is no once-in-a-lifetime limit, and using this route doesn't use up the one-time misdemeanor expungement (Iowa Legal Aid).

What doesn't qualify

  • Anyone with another criminal conviction (other than local traffic or simple-misdemeanor chapter 321 violations) within 2 years after the alcohol conviction (§§ 123.46(6), 123.47(9)).

How long you have to wait

RecordWaiting period
Public intoxication or underage alcohol possession conviction2 years after the convictionNo other criminal convictions in those 2 years except local traffic or simple-misdemeanor chapter 321 violations.

How to apply

  1. Fill out Rule 2.86 Form 3 (public intoxication) or Form 4 (possession of alcohol under the legal age).
  2. File it in the case through eFile or with the clerk, and serve the county attorney (Rule 2.82(5)).
  3. The county attorney has 20 days to respond, and the court may hold a hearing (Rule 2.83).
Where to file
The Iowa district court, in the case where you were convicted (Rule 2.82(5)).
Cost
The forms and rules list no filing fee, and paying court debt in the case is not a condition (Rule 2.83(3)).
Court hearing
Sometimes
How long it takes
The county attorney may respond within 20 days after service (Rule 2.83(1)).

Official forms

Automatic clearing

Iowa has no Clean Slate law. The one automatic route is for deferred judgments: when a person is discharged from probation and has paid the costs, fees and restitution in the case, the court record 'shall be expunged' (Iowa Code § 907.9(4)(b)). Iowa Legal Aid says this should happen automatically for deferred judgments completed after July 1, 2013, but older ones need an application and some people on unsupervised probation may need to file a motion. Every other expungement, including dismissals, acquittals and misdemeanor convictions, requires an application to the court. We found no 2025 or 2026 law changing Iowa's expungement statutes: the Legislature's lists of Code sections amended in 2025 and 2026 show no changes to chapter 901C or § 907.9.1,6,21,22

DUI and DWI records in Iowa

An OWI conviction (Iowa Code § 321J.2) can't be expunged: it is excluded from the one-time misdemeanor expungement, and so are driving while suspended, revoked or barred under §§ 321.218, 321A.32 and 321J.21 (§ 901C.3(2)). An OWI that ended in a completed deferred judgment is expunged from the public court record under § 907.9, but it still counts as a prior offense for any later OWI (§ 321J.2(8)(b)) and stays on the confidential deferred judgment docket (§ 907.4). A deferred judgment isn't available for OWI if the person has an OWI conviction or a chapter 321J license revocation and any of these apply: an alcohol concentration over .15, a prior OWI conviction or deferred judgment, a refused test, bodily injury to another person, or a violation of § 321.279(2) at the same time (§§ 907.3(1)(a)(6), 321J.2). An OWI charge that was dismissed or ended in acquittal can be expunged under § 901C.2. We did not confirm how expungement affects Iowa Department of Transportation driving records.1,4,7,23

Arrests and dismissed charges

A case in which every charge was dismissed or ended in acquittal can be expunged on application 180 days later, once the court costs in the case are paid (Iowa Code § 901C.2). The court may waive the wait for good cause, such as identity theft or mistaken identity. Use Rule 2.86 Form 1. The expunged record becomes confidential but stays available to the person and to judges, clerks, correctional services, county attorneys and state public safety and corrections agencies (§ 901C.2(2)). If any count ended in a conviction, the case doesn't qualify. Dismissals after a deferred judgment are handled under § 907.9 instead. Separately, an arrest with no disposition recorded 18 months later is released by the Department of Public Safety only to justice agencies, the person, or someone with the person's signed release (§ 692.2(1)(b)(3)).5,6,7,8

Marijuana records

We found no Iowa law that gives marijuana offenses their own expungement route. Drug offenses under chapter 124 are not on the list of excluded misdemeanors, so a misdemeanor marijuana possession conviction can be expunged under the one-time misdemeanor route more than 8 years after conviction if the other conditions are met (Iowa Code § 901C.3). A marijuana charge that ended in a completed deferred judgment, a dismissal or an acquittal can be expunged under § 907.9 or § 901C.2.1,7

What employers can see afterward

Expunged court records are confidential and exempt from public access under Iowa Code § 22.7, so they should not show up on the public court docket (§§ 901C.2(2), 901C.3(4), 907.9(4)(b)). Iowa Legal Aid notes that most other adult records stay on the free online docket where employers can see them. The Department of Public Safety releases criminal history to any person or private agency that applies in writing, but records of a completed deferred judgment, and arrests with no disposition after 18 months, go only to justice agencies, the person, or someone the person has given a signed release (§ 692.2(1)(b)). Iowa Legal Aid warns that when a job application asks for permission to run a state criminal history check and you sign, a completed deferred judgment can be disclosed to the employer. We did not find an Iowa statute saying a person may deny an expunged record on a job application, or a statewide law limiting when private employers may ask about criminal history.1,5,6,7

Free help in Iowa

  • Iowa Legal Aid

    Statewide free legal aid for people with low incomes; apply online or call 1-800-532-1503 (60 and over: 1-800-992-8161). Its guide 'Can I Expunge My Adult Criminal Conviction in Iowa?' explains each route.

  • Iowa Judicial Branch: Court Forms (Expunge Court Record)

    Official Rule 2.86 expungement applications for dismissals and acquittals, misdemeanors, public intoxication, underage alcohol and certain prostitution cases, with instructions.

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.28,29,30
  • 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.31,32

This page explains Iowa'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 Iowa?" https://secondchanceindex.com/record-clearing/iowa, checked October 22, 2026.

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Sources

Each source was opened and checked on October 22, 2026.

  1. Iowa Code § 907.9(4)
  2. Iowa Code 2026 § 907.1. DefinitionsIowa Legislature
  3. Iowa Code 2026 § 907.4. Deferred judgment docketIowa Legislature
  4. Iowa Code 2026 § 907.3. Deferred judgment, deferred sentence, or suspended sentenceIowa Legislature
  5. Iowa Code 2026 § 692.2. Dissemination of criminal history data — feesIowa Legislature
  6. Can I Expunge My Adult Criminal Conviction in Iowa? (last updated September 20, 2025)Iowa Legal Aid
  7. Iowa Code § 901C.2; Iowa R. Crim. P. 2.80, 2.83, 2.84
  8. Iowa Court Rules, Chapter 2, Rules of Criminal Procedure (Rules 2.80-2.86, May 2025)Iowa Legislature
  9. Rule 2.86 Form 1: Application to Expunge Court Record under Iowa Code section 901C.2 (August 2024)Iowa Judicial Branch
  10. Court Forms (Expunge Court Record)Iowa Judicial Branch
  11. Iowa Code 2026 § 602.8106. Collection of fees in criminal casesIowa Legislature
  12. Instructions for Application to Expunge Misdemeanor Court Records Under Iowa Code Section 901C.3 (August 2024)Iowa Judicial Branch
  13. Rule 2.86 Form 2: Application to Expunge Misdemeanor Court Records under Iowa Code section 901C.3 (August 2024)Iowa Judicial Branch
  14. Iowa Code 2026 § 235B.20 (repealed by 2022 Acts, ch 1132, § 7; see § 726.26)Iowa Legislature
  15. Iowa Code 2026 § 726.26. Dependent adult abuse — initiation of charges — penaltyIowa Legislature
  16. Iowa Code §§ 123.46(6), 123.47(9); Iowa R. Crim. P. 2.82-2.84
  17. Iowa Code 2026 § 123.47. Persons under legal ageIowa Legislature
  18. Iowa Code 2026 § 123.3. Definitions ('legal age')Iowa Legislature
  19. Rule 2.86 Form 3: Application to Expunge Public Intoxication Court RecordsIowa Judicial Branch
  20. Rule 2.86 Form 4: Application to Expunge Possession of Alcohol under the Legal Age Court RecordsIowa Judicial Branch
  21. Code & Acts Sections Amended - 2026 ReportIowa Legislature
  22. Code & Acts Sections Amended - 2025 ReportIowa Legislature
  23. Iowa Code 2026 § 321J.2. Operating while under the influence of alcohol or a drugIowa Legislature
  24. House File 2515 (2026), Enrolled: deferred or suspended sentences, sexual exploitation of a minorIowa Legislature
  25. House File 2542 (2026), Enrolled: habitual offendersIowa Legislature
  26. House File 2770 (2026), Enrolled: justice system appropriations and fees (Division amending § 602.8105)Iowa Legislature
  27. Supreme Court Orders (court rule amendments)Iowa Judicial Branch
  28. List of consumer reporting companiesConsumer Financial Protection Bureau
  29. What Employment Background Screening Companies Need to Know About the Fair Credit Reporting ActFederal Trade Commission
  30. Employer Background Checks and Your RightsFederal Trade Commission
  31. 15 U.S. Code § 1681c - Requirements relating to information contained in consumer reportsLegal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (U.S. Code text)
  32. Advisory Opinion to Nadell (12-10-98)Federal Trade Commission (staff advisory opinion)