Find out if you can seal your criminal record

Find out which records are eligible to be sealed.

There are different eligibility requirements for sealing criminal records depending on whether or not there was a conviction. 

Request not to seal criminal records

If you received a letter from the court stating that your criminal records will be sealed and you do not want your records sealed, complete the form below and send it to the Commissioner of Probation.

Request not to Seal Criminal Records, under G.L. c. 276, §100C, Paragraph 1

Sealing conviction records

The conviction sealing process is governed by MGL c. 276, § 100A. You can ask the Massachusetts Probation Service (MPS) to seal some criminal convictions. You can ask to seal a criminal record under these circumstances:

• Misdemeanor — 3 years after you were found guilty or after any jail or prison time, whichever date is later.
• Felony — 7 years after you were found guilty or after any jail or prison time, whichever date is later.

Additionally, you can move to seal a conviction for resisting arrest.

Sealing records of charges with a nolle prosequi or dismissal

The sealing process for charges with a nolle prosequi or dismissal is governed by G.L. c. 276, § 100C, ¶ 2. You can ask the court where the offense originated to seal a criminal court record with the following case results:

• Dismissal entered by the court (without probation)
• Nolle prosequi entered (entry on the record of no further prosecution by the prosecutor)