Indiana Expungement & Record Sealing Guide

Who Qualifies for Expungement in Indiana?

Indiana uses the term "restricted access" rather than expungement — records are sealed from public view but retained. The law covers arrests, misdemeanors, and most felony convictions with varying waiting periods.

Arrests Without Conviction

• 1 year after the arrest date (if charges were not filed or were dismissed)
• File in the court where the case was filed (or would have been filed)

Misdemeanor Convictions

• 5 years after conviction date
• No new criminal charges during the waiting period
• All fines and costs must be paid

Class D Felony / Level 6 Felony Convictions

• 8 years after conviction date
• No new criminal charges during the waiting period
• All fines, costs, and restitution paid

Class C/B/A and Level 1–5 Felony Convictions

• 10 years after conviction date
• Court has discretion — not a right
• The prosecuting attorney may object; judge weighs public interest vs. individual hardship

Not Eligible

• Murder and Level 1 felonies (generally)
• Sex offenses requiring registration
• Official misconduct
• Any person with more than one felony conviction involving separate episodes (with limited exceptions)

Important: Indiana allows only one expungement petition per person per lifetime. You must include all eligible convictions in a single petition — you cannot come back later for additional records.

Step-by-Step: How to Clear Your Record in Indiana

1. Gather all case records — Because you only get one petition, it's critical to identify every conviction you want expunged across all Indiana counties.
2. Obtain your criminal history — Request from Indiana State Police (ISP) online portal (fee: ~$16.32).
3. File in each county — You must file a separate petition in each county where a conviction occurred, but all petitions must be filed simultaneously (within a reasonable period).
4. Serve the prosecutor — The prosecuting attorney has 30 days to object for felony petitions. No objection is allowed for misdemeanors if eligibility criteria are met.
5. Hearing (felonies) — For Class C/B/A and Level 1–5 felonies, a hearing is required. Bring evidence of rehabilitation, employment, community ties.
6. Order issued — If granted, the court orders all agencies to restrict access to the records.

Waiting Periods

• Arrest without conviction: 1 year from arrest
• Misdemeanor conviction: 5 years from conviction
• Class D / Level 6 felony: 8 years from conviction
• Class A/B/C / Level 1–5 felony: 10 years from conviction

All fines, fees, and restitution must be fully paid before filing.

Costs

• Filing fee: $156 per county (varies; misdemeanor courts may differ)
• ISP criminal history: ~$16.32
• Attorney fees: $1,000–$3,500 (especially important given one-petition rule)

Given Indiana's one-petition-per-lifetime rule, an attorney review is highly recommended before filing to ensure you capture all eligible records correctly.

What Record Clearing Does (and Doesn't) Do in Indiana

After a successful expungement or sealing in Indiana, your record will generally be cleared from:

• Most private employer background checks
• Rental housing background checks
• Most licensing board inquiries (varies by profession)

However, it typically does not affect:

• Federal law enforcement and immigration records
• Military background checks
• Applications for law enforcement positions
• Some professional licensing boards (law, medicine, teaching — varies by state)
• Sex offender registry requirements (in most cases)

Disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently. Consult a licensed attorney in Indiana for advice specific to your situation.