How to file for Michigan set-aside without a lawyer
Last updated: May 2026
Michigan set-aside is governed by MCL § 780.621 (set-aside) and Clean Slate Act, MCL § 780.621g (automatic set-aside). 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.
ExpungeReady earns a commission on some links on this page. We only recommend providers we believe are useful for self-represented petitioners.
DIY DIFFICULTY
3/5
Moderate
FILING FEE
$50 to Michigan State Police for the application fee; no separate court fee
Is DIY realistic in Michigan?
Michigan is moderate-DIY because the Clean Slate Act now auto-sets-aside many qualifying offenses without any petition. For cases that don't auto-seal, the State Court Administrative Office provides standardized SCAO forms (MC 227 series) that most petitioners can complete. The procedural hurdle is the MSP background check the court must wait for, which can delay the hearing by months.
Where the petition is filed
Application filed with the Michigan State Police, then the petition is filed in the circuit court of the convicting county
Realistic timeline: 6–9 months total (including the MSP background check that must precede the court hearing)
Required forms
- Application to Set Aside Conviction (MC 227 or current SCAO equivalent)
- Fingerprint card processed by Michigan State Police
- Notice of Hearing on Set Aside
- Proposed Order
You can complete the forms yourself using the templates published by the Michigan 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
- $50 money order to Michigan State Police
- Certified copy of the judgment of sentence
- Proof of fingerprint submission
Pull your own Michigan 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 Michigan background-check guide for the official self-check process.
Common reasons Michigan petitions get denied
- Filing the petition before MSP has processed the fingerprints
- Misunderstanding the 3-conviction lifetime limit (only 3 misdemeanors plus 2 felonies, in any combination)
- Not realizing that traffic offenses are categorically ineligible
- Forgetting to serve the Attorney General and the prosecutor
When you should hire a Michigan attorney
Felony convictions, multiple convictions, opposition from the prosecutor, or interaction between Michigan and federal records.
See Michigan expungement attorneys →Frequently asked questions
Do I need to file anything for Michigan Clean Slate automatic expungement?
No — qualifying convictions are automatically set aside by Michigan State Police once the waiting period elapses (7 years after a misdemeanor sentence, 10 years after a felony). You can confirm by running a self-check on the ICHAT system. If a qualifying record still appears 6 months after the waiting period ends, contact MSP to request manual review.
How long does a Michigan expungement take?
A Michigan set-aside petition typically takes 6–9 months total (including the MSP background check that must precede 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 Michigan?
The Michigan set-aside filing fee is $50 to Michigan State Police for the application fee; no separate court fee. 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.