Free Expungement Help in Florida
Last reviewed: May 27, 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.
⚠️ 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.
Verified free legal aid organizations in Florida
Every organization below is a verified non-profit or government-affiliated legal aid program. None are paid services. Always confirm your eligibility directly with the organization.
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 clinic schedules and local contacts.
Miami / Miami-Dade County
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.
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.
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.).
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.
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.
More Florida expungement resources
- Complete Florida expungement guide → — eligibility, process, statutes, and timelines
- How much does expungement cost? (state-by-state)
- What shows up on a background check after expungement?
- ← All states: free expungement help directory