Free Expungement Help in Georgia
Last reviewed: May 27, 2026 · Resource links checked: May 28, 2026
Georgia calls it "record restriction" — not expungement — which confuses a lot of people searching online. The practical effect is the same: the record is hidden from public background checks. Georgia's law is narrower than most states: most felony convictions cannot be restricted, and SB 288 (2020) only opened up some misdemeanor convictions for restriction. But dismissed cases and First Offender Act completions are often fully restrictable with no conviction on record.
Quick answer: free expungement help in Georgia
In Georgia, 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 program. Some misdemeanor restrictions happen at the agency level for dismissed cases.
How to get a fee waiver in Georgia
Indigency waivers available for court costs. The record restriction administrative fee ($25) can be waived with a pauper's affidavit.
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 Georgia
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.
- Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Georgia Legal Services Program (outside Metro Atlanta)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Georgia Justice Project (record restriction clinics)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- State Bar of Georgia Lawyer Referral Service
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
Free expungement help by city in Georgia
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.
Atlanta / Fulton County
Atlanta Legal Aid serves Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties — the five core Metro Atlanta counties. Georgia Justice Project has deep expertise in Fulton County record restriction and runs clinic events. Cases in Atlanta Municipal Court (city-level misdemeanors within Atlanta) are filed differently than Fulton County Superior Court cases — this distinction trips up many filers.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Savannah / Chatham County
Georgia Legal Services serves the Coastal region including Chatham, Bryan, Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Jenkins, Liberty, Long, Screven, Tattnall, and Toombs counties.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Georgia free expungement — frequently asked questions
What is the difference between record restriction and expungement in Georgia?
In Georgia, "expungement" and "record restriction" refer to the same process. The legislature replaced the word "expungement" with "record restriction" in 2013. The record is not physically destroyed — it is restricted from public access. Law enforcement and certain licensing boards can still see it.
Can I get my felony restricted in Georgia?
Generally no. The SB 288 framework and the arrest-restriction statute (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37) do not allow restriction of most felony convictions. The exception is First Offender Act cases where the felony was discharged without a final conviction — those are often restrictable. Consult an attorney before assuming your felony is ineligible.
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 Georgia attorney listings you can compare.