Florida criminal records resource
Florida record sealing and expungement: where to start
In Florida, whether a criminal history record can be sealed or expunged is set by statute. For the ordinary court-ordered process, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) explains that the first step is applying for a Certificate of Eligibility. A Certificate of Eligibility is a step in that process, not a court order sealing or expunging a record. FDLE’s official instructions are linked below.
Not legal advice. AnswerSignalApp is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. This page summarizes, in general terms, what the official sources linked below say, and points you to them.
Eligibility comes from statute, not from this page
FDLE's FAQ explains that Florida Statutes sections 943.0585 and 943.059 set the criteria that must be met to be eligible to seal or expunge a record. Whether those criteria are met depends on the specific record. This page does not and cannot tell you whether you qualify.
The ordinary court-ordered process, in sequence
- Apply to FDLE for a Certificate of Eligibility. FDLE describes this as the required first step toward court-ordered sealing or expungement. FDLE says applications are researched in the order received and are not expedited.
- If a certificate is issued, file a petition in court. FDLE's FAQ says the next step is to file a petition, with the certificate and the required affidavit, in the court with jurisdiction over the arrest — usually in the county where the arrest occurred.
- The court decides. FDLE states that a certificate does not mean the court will necessarily order the record sealed or expunged; granting a petition is at the court's discretion.
- FDLE acts on a certified court order. FDLE says a record does not receive relief until FDLE receives a certified order from the court.
A certificate is not the finish line
FDLE states plainly that the issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility does not seal or expunge a record. Keep any certificate, court filing and court order together in your own records.
Other types FDLE lists
FDLE also lists other statutory processes, such as administrative expungement and certain juvenile and human-trafficking expungements, each with its own page. Use the FDLE Seal & Expunge Records page to see which ones exist; this page does not summarize their criteria.
Related reading
If you are trying to understand why a dropped or dismissed charge still appears, read why a Florida arrest can still show after dismissal. To check your own record for accuracy, see FDLE Personal Review.
Official sources for this page
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Editorial note: Sources and limits: FDLE's Seal & Expunge Records page, its FAQ and its Certificate of Eligibility application page, as read on October 19, 2026 and rechecked at FDLE's current web addresses on November 11, 2026. It does not describe eligibility criteria, fees, forms or special expungement types in detail. It was compiled internally by AnswerSignalApp from the linked official sources and was not written or reviewed by an attorney. It is not legal advice. Official guidance can change after the review date. Last internally reviewed: October 19, 2026.
Related Florida legal resources
Informational guides only — not legal advice.
- Why an arrest can still show after charges were droppedFDLE's explanation of arrest and disposition records.
- Review your own Florida criminal history (FDLE)How FDLE Personal Review lets you check a record for accuracy.
- Florida arrest action checklistWhat to keep, what to describe at intake, and what never to write down.
- All Florida legal resourcesEvery guide, grouped by injury, insurance, criminal, records and lawyer topics.
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Florida sealing and expungement FAQ
- Does a Certificate of Eligibility seal or expunge my Florida record?
- No. FDLE states that issuing a Certificate of Eligibility does not seal or expunge a record. For the court-ordered process, the next step is a petition filed in court with the certificate and the required affidavit, and the court decides whether to grant it.
- Can this page tell me whether I qualify?
- No. Eligibility is set by Florida statutes and is decided through FDLE's review and the court. This page does not assess anyone's record. A licensed Florida attorney can advise on a specific situation.
- Will sealing or expungement remove my information from private websites?
- FDLE's FAQ says a seal or expungement order cannot eliminate all arrest information from the internet, and that privately operated websites are not subject to the order. FDLE says it cannot make private companies remove information.
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