Free Expungement Help in Pennsylvania

Last reviewed: May 27, 2026

Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Act is the most expansive automatic sealing program in the country — it's already sealed tens of millions of records without anyone having to ask. If you're Pennsylvania-based and your conviction is older than 10 years and was a misdemeanor or summary offense with no new convictions since, there's a very good chance your record has already been sealed automatically. Start by checking. Community Legal Services in Philadelphia runs My Clean Slate PA specifically to help people understand their status and handle anything the automatic program missed.

Important: This page provides general legal information about expungement and record sealing laws. It is not legal advice for your specific situation. Eligibility rules vary by state, county, and individual circumstances. Always consult a licensed attorney before taking any legal action.

✅ Clean Slate / Automatic Sealing

Yes — Pennsylvania Clean Slate Act (Act 5 of 2018) automatically seals eligible misdemeanors and summary offenses after 10 years. Has already sealed 35+ million records statewide. Completely free.

How to get a fee waiver in Pennsylvania

File an In Forma Pauperis petition to waive the ~$132 filing fee for petition-based sealing. Clean Slate automatic sealing has no fee at all.

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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania

Free expungement resources vary significantly by metro area. Here's what's available in the largest cities, including clinic schedules and local contacts.

Philadelphia / Philadelphia County

My Clean Slate PA is the gold standard for Philadelphia record clearing — they have specific expertise in Act 5 of 2018 and know exactly which records need a petition vs. which are already auto-sealed. Philadelphia VIP matches volunteers with low-income clients across all civil legal matters including expungement. The Defender Association's Reentry Project specifically handles people coming out of incarceration.

Pittsburgh / Allegheny County

Neighborhood Legal Services covers all of Allegheny County and several surrounding counties. Duquesne Law School's clinic handles both criminal record sealing and expungement under attorney supervision at no cost. Call NLSA first — they do intake screening and route cases to the right program.

Harrisburg / Lehigh Valley / Central PA

MidPenn Legal Services covers 18 counties in Central Pennsylvania including Dauphin (Harrisburg), Berks (Reading), Centre, Lebanon, and York. LASP covers Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties plus Bucks County — the southeastern collar counties outside Philadelphia. Both organizations offer expungement and sealing as priority services.

Pennsylvania free expungement — frequently asked questions

How do I know if Pennsylvania already sealed my record automatically?

Request your own criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police (PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov). A standard name search costs $22. If a conviction that should be auto-sealed still shows, contact the Pennsylvania State Police Record Check unit — sealed records are updated in quarterly batches.

What does Pennsylvania Clean Slate NOT cover?

Second-degree and first-degree misdemeanors, most felonies, DUIs, sex offenses, and any offense with a sentence of more than 2 years. These still require a petition under Act 36 (for felonies) or Act 5 petition-based sealing. A legal aid attorney can tell you which track applies.

Can a felony be sealed in Pennsylvania?

Yes, certain felonies can be sealed under Act 36 of 2020 — non-violent F2 and F3 felonies where the sentence was under 7 years, after a 10-year clean period. F1 felonies, violent offenses, and sex offenses are excluded. A petition must be filed in the Court of Common Pleas. This does not happen automatically.

More Pennsylvania expungement resources

Complete Pennsylvania 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