Free Expungement Help in Florida
Last reviewed: May 27, 2026 · Resource links checked: May 28, 2026
Florida requires you to get a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE before you even file with the court — which is why most people assume it's expensive. The fee for that certificate ($75) can be waived if your income qualifies. Once you have the certificate, the court filing itself is relatively straightforward compared to most states.
Quick answer: free expungement help in Florida
In Florida, free expungement help may be available through nonprofit legal aid, local clinics, court fee waivers, and eligibility screening programs. Start with the verified organizations below, then confirm whether your court costs or filing fees can be waived.
⚠️ Clean Slate / Automatic Sealing
No statewide automatic sealing program. Fee waivers available for indigent filers.
How to get a fee waiver in Florida
File the Civil Indigent Status Application with the clerk to waive the $75 FDLE Certificate of Eligibility fee. You can also petition the court to waive related court costs.
Fee waivers (also called Affidavit of Indigency or In Forma Pauperis petition) are typically available if your household income is at or below 125–200% of the federal poverty level, or if you currently receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, TANF, or veterans benefits based on need.
Who should start with free legal aid?
Start here if money is the barrier
Legal aid is usually the best first step if filing fees, attorney fees, or document costs would stop you from pursuing expungement or sealing. Most programs screen by income, household size, case type, and county.
Use clinics for screening
Expungement clinics are especially useful when you are not sure whether the record qualifies. Bring your case number and disposition so a clinic can tell you whether to file, wait, or use another remedy.
Use fee waivers for court costs
A fee waiver does not guarantee expungement, but it can remove the court filing cost. Ask the clerk or legal aid intake whether your state uses an indigency affidavit, in forma pauperis form, or fee waiver.
Use an attorney for complex records
If you have multiple counties, felonies, pending charges, immigration concerns, licensing issues, or a denied petition, ask legal aid whether you need full representation instead of brief advice.
Documents to gather before calling legal aid
- Government ID and current contact information.
- Case number, arrest date, charge, county, and court name.
- Certified disposition or docket sheet showing how the case ended.
- Proof that probation, parole, fines, fees, or restitution are complete, if applicable.
- Recent proof of income or public benefits if the organization screens by income.
- A short explanation of why you need the record cleared: work, housing, licensing, school, immigration, or family stability.
Verified free legal aid organizations in Florida
Every organization below is a nonprofit, government-affiliated, law-school, court, or bar-backed resource. Resource links were browser-checked on May 28, 2026, but clinic schedules and eligibility rules change. Always confirm details directly with the organization before relying on a date, income limit, or service area.
- Florida Legal Services
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Three Rivers Legal Services
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Legal Services of Greater Miami
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Bay Area Legal Services (Tampa)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
Free expungement help by city in Florida
Free expungement resources vary significantly by metro area. Here's what's available in the largest cities, including local legal aid offices, clinics, bar-backed programs, and reentry resources.
Miami / Miami-Dade County
- Legal Services of Greater Miami
- Miami-Dade Public Defender (reentry / record-clearing referrals)
- ACLU of Florida – Miami office
Miami-Dade County runs periodic expungement and sealing clinics through the Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office. Dates are posted at the 11th Judicial Circuit clerk's website. Call Legal Services of Greater Miami first — they serve the full county and pre-screen for eligibility at no cost.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Tampa / Hillsborough County
Bay Area Legal Services covers Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto, and Highlands counties. Their reentry program specifically includes expungement and sealing assistance for eligible clients.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Jacksonville / Duval County
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid runs regular Saturday legal clinics covering expungement. Call their main line for the next scheduled date. Three Rivers serves the surrounding rural counties (Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, etc.).
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Orlando / Orange County
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida covers Orange, Osceola, Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties. They offer a free intake line and regularly refer expungement cases to volunteer attorneys through the bar association.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Florida free expungement — frequently asked questions
Can I get my Florida record expunged for free?
Yes, if your income qualifies. Apply for a Civil Indigent Status waiver to eliminate the $75 FDLE fee, then seek an attorney through Florida Legal Services or a county legal aid office. Florida does not have automatic Clean Slate sealing, but the fee waiver path removes the main cost barrier.
What if I make too much for legal aid but can't afford an attorney?
Florida's expungement and sealing process is one of the more realistic pro-se (self-represented) filings in the country for simple single-charge cases. The FDLE Certificate of Eligibility application is online. The court petition uses a standard form. The Florida Courts Self-Help Center (selfhelp.flcourts.org) has step-by-step instructions.
How long does Florida expungement take when you use legal aid?
Add 1 to 3 months to the standard 6 to 9 month processing window because legal aid intake and scheduling takes time. Plan for 9 to 12 months total from initial contact to final order.
What if you do not qualify for free help?
If legal aid cannot take your case, you may still have options: file on your own, request a fee waiver, wait for automatic Clean Slate sealing, or consult a licensed attorney for a paid eligibility review. ExpungeReady currently has Florida attorney listings you can compare.