How to file for Florida expungement or sealing without a lawyer
Last updated: May 2026
Florida expungement or sealing is governed by F.S. §§ 943.0585 (expungement) and 943.059 (sealing). This page walks you through the petition, the forms you'll need, the realistic timeline, and the most common pitfalls — written for petitioners who want to handle the filing themselves.
Not legal advice
ExpungeReady is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. The information on this page is general educational content about state expungement and record-sealing procedures. Document-preparation services we link to are not a substitute for legal representation. Eligibility rules vary by state, county, and individual circumstances — small mistakes on a petition can cause the court to deny your request.
If your case involves felony convictions, multiple offenses, immigration consequences, professional licensing, federal records, or any uncertainty about eligibility, consult a licensed attorney in your state before filing.
Additional notice: Document-preparation services in this state are subject to specific unauthorized-practice-of-law restrictions. Service providers may complete forms based on information you provide, but they may not select forms, advise on legal strategy, or represent you in court. When in doubt, retain a licensed attorney.
ExpungeReady earns a commission on some links on this page. We only recommend providers we believe are useful for self-represented petitioners.
DIY DIFFICULTY
4/5
Difficult
FILING FEE
$75 to FDLE for the Certificate of Eligibility + a separate filing fee at the clerk of court (typically $42)
Is DIY realistic in Florida?
Florida is one of the harder states for DIY because the Certificate of Eligibility process is unforgiving: a single misstatement or missing fingerprint card causes FDLE to reject the application. Petitioners with a single, clearly-eligible arrest and clean post-arrest history often succeed pro se; everyone else benefits from at least a consultation with an attorney.
Where the petition is filed
Filed in the circuit court of the county where the arrest occurred, after obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE
Realistic timeline: 4–7 months total (3–4 months for FDLE to issue the Certificate, then 1–3 months for the court hearing)
Required forms
- Application for Certification of Eligibility (FDLE)
- Fingerprint card (taken at a law-enforcement agency)
- Certified copy of the disposition from the clerk of court
- Petition to Expunge or Petition to Seal (drafted to circuit court rules)
- Sworn Statement of compliance with eligibility requirements
- Proposed Order
You can complete the forms yourself using the templates published by the Florida courts, or use a legal-forms service that pre-fills them based on your case details (faster, fewer mistakes, but does not provide legal advice).
Documents to gather first
- Money order for the FDLE $75 application fee
- Government-issued photo ID
- Notarized signature on the sworn statement
Pull your own Florida criminal-history record before you file. The petition has to match the official record exactly; case numbers, arresting agency, and disposition language must all line up. See our Florida background-check guide for the official self-check process.
Common reasons Florida petitions get denied
- Listing the wrong case number or arresting agency on the FDLE application
- Failing to disclose all prior arrests, including charges that were dropped
- Confusing expungement (record destruction) with sealing (record hidden) — eligibility rules differ
- Forgetting that you can use the expunge / seal remedy only once in your lifetime
When you should hire a Florida attorney
Withholds of adjudication, deferred prosecutions, multiple arrests, immigration concerns, professional licensing impact, or any uncertainty about whether the offense is on the disqualifying list in F.S. § 943.0584.
See Florida expungement attorneys →Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to expunge a record in Florida without a lawyer?
The unavoidable government costs total approximately $117: a $75 fee to FDLE for the Certificate of Eligibility plus a $42 clerk of court filing fee (the exact clerk fee varies slightly by county). If you hire someone to prepare the forms, expect an additional $200–$400; a full attorney representation typically runs $1,200–$3,500. Filing pro se is realistic if your case is straightforward and you can follow procedural rules exactly.
How long does a Florida expungement take?
A Florida expungement or sealing petition typically takes 4–7 months total (3–4 months for FDLE to issue the Certificate, then 1–3 months for the court hearing) from filing to final order. After the order is granted, allow another 30–60 days for state and private databases to remove the entry.
How much does it cost to file an expungement in Florida?
The Florida expungement or sealing filing fee is $75 to FDLE for the Certificate of Eligibility + a separate filing fee at the clerk of court (typically $42). Document-preparation services cost an additional $40–$200; full attorney representation typically runs $800–$3,500.
How do I know if I qualify?
Eligibility depends on the specific offense, the disposition, the waiting period, and your overall criminal history — facts only a licensed attorney in your state can evaluate. Our consultation prep worksheet organizes the same information an attorney will ask about at a consultation.