Free Expungement Help in Massachusetts
Last reviewed: May 27, 2026 · Resource links checked: May 28, 2026
Massachusetts calls its process "sealing" rather than expungement, and the good news is that sealing a CORI record has no filing fee — it's free to anyone who qualifies. The tricky part is that the waiting period is strict (3 years for misdemeanors, 7 years for felonies from the date of conviction or release, whichever is later), and the record must be clean during that period. MassLegalHelp.org is an outstanding self-help resource that walks you through the forms step by step. If your case is complicated, the Volunteer Lawyers Project in Boston provides free legal assistance.
Quick answer: free expungement help in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, 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 automatic sealing. Massachusetts has petition-based CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) sealing under MGL Ch. 276 §100A and §100C. Misdemeanors can be sealed after 3 years from disposition or release; felonies after 7 years. Sealed records are not available to employers but are available to law enforcement and courts.
How to get a fee waiver in Massachusetts
CORI sealing in Massachusetts is free — there is no filing fee for a sealing petition. Submit the Petition to Seal Criminal Records (CJIS-JD-cr-049) directly to the Commissioner of Probation or through the court. No fee waiver needed because the process itself costs nothing.
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 Massachusetts
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.
- Greater Boston Legal Services
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- MassLegalHelp (CORI sealing self-help guides)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Neighborhood Legal Services (Merrimack Valley / Lawrence)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Harvard Law School clinical programs
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
Free expungement help by city in Massachusetts
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.
Boston / Greater Boston
Greater Boston Legal Services covers Suffolk, Middlesex, and Norfolk counties and takes CORI sealing cases for income-qualifying residents. The Harvard LSC in Jamaica Plain serves the Jamaica Plain and Mission Hill neighborhoods and takes criminal record cases year-round — no income cutoff for many services.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Springfield / Western Massachusetts
Western Massachusetts is underserved relative to Boston. Western Massachusetts Legal Aid handles CORI sealing cases for income-qualifying residents across Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties. Call their intake line for screening.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Massachusetts free expungement — frequently asked questions
What is CORI sealing and how is it different from expungement?
CORI stands for Criminal Offender Record Information — it's what Massachusetts calls your criminal record. Sealing a CORI record hides it from employer background checks and most public searches. It is not expungement (records are not destroyed), but for employment purposes it has the same practical effect: you can legally answer "no" to most job application questions about criminal history once your record is sealed.
Can I seal a felony conviction in Massachusetts?
Yes, if the felony is at least 7 years old from the date of conviction or release from incarceration (whichever is later) and you have not been convicted of any crime during that 7-year period. Some offenses are not sealable — murder, rape, and other serious offenses are excluded. Check MassLegalHelp.org for the specific exclusion list.
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 does not have verified Massachusetts attorney listings yet, so start with the guides below.
- Complete Massachusetts 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