Free Expungement Help in Ohio
Last reviewed: May 27, 2026 · Resource links checked: May 28, 2026
Ohio changed the game in 2023 with its Sealing of Records Act. The old law was famously restrictive — you could only seal one or two convictions and almost no felonies qualified. The new law removed the numeric cap and opened sealing to most non-violent felonies of the third, fourth, and fifth degree. If you looked into Ohio sealing before 2023 and were told you didn't qualify, check again — the rules are fundamentally different now. Ohio Legal Help has a free online tool that runs eligibility in under 5 minutes.
Quick answer: free expungement help in Ohio
In Ohio, 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
Ohio Sealing of Records Act (2023) expanded eligibility substantially and added limited automatic sealing for minor misdemeanors with no other activity.
How to get a fee waiver in Ohio
File an Affidavit of Indigency to waive the $50 sealing application fee. The affidavit is available at the court clerk's office in every county.
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 Ohio
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.
- Ohio Legal Help (free eligibility tool)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Ohio Justice & Policy Center
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio (Cincinnati/Dayton)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Community Legal Aid (Akron/Canton/Youngstown)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Community Legal Aid (Southeastern Ohio)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
Free expungement help by city in Ohio
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.
Columbus / Franklin County
- Columbus Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project
- Ohio State University Moritz College of Law Clinic
- Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS) Legal Clinic
The Columbus Bar Volunteer Lawyers Project matches low-income Franklin County residents with private attorneys for free legal help including sealing and expungement. Franklin County Court of Common Pleas typically holds expungement hearings monthly. OSU Moritz runs an active clinical program — contact their clinics office for the expungement project.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Cleveland / Cuyahoga County
- Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
- Cleveland Expungement Project (Legal Aid)
- Case Western Reserve University School of Law Clinic
Legal Aid Society of Cleveland runs a dedicated expungement project — call their intake line and specifically ask for the expungement team. They are well-versed in the 2023 amendments. CWRU Law runs a criminal justice clinic that handles sealing petitions under attorney supervision at no cost.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Cincinnati / Hamilton County
LASCO covers Hamilton, Butler, Clermont, Brown, and Warren counties. Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas schedules sealing hearings every other week. The Cincinnati Bar VLP runs regular evening clinics at community centers for low-income residents.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Ohio free expungement — frequently asked questions
Did the 2023 Ohio law change who can seal their record?
Yes — dramatically. The 2023 Sealing of Records Act removed the prior numeric cap (which limited sealing to 1–2 convictions) and opened eligibility to most non-violent third-, fourth-, and fifth-degree felonies after a waiting period. Many Ohioans who were previously ineligible now qualify. If you were told "no" before 2023, get a new evaluation.
How much does it cost to seal an Ohio record?
The court filing fee is $50. Attorney fees vary by county — free legal aid is available through the organizations above for income-qualifying applicants. If you make too much for legal aid, Ohio Legal Help has free DIY forms for straightforward sealing petitions.
Can an OVI conviction be sealed in Ohio?
No — OVI convictions are expressly excluded from sealing and expungement under Ohio law. However, if your OVI was dismissed or amended down to a non-OVI charge (like reckless operation), that resulting dismissal or reduced conviction may be eligible. An attorney can review the final judgment entry.
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 Ohio attorney listings you can compare.