Massachusetts Expungement & Record Sealing Guide

Who Qualifies for Expungement in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts uses "sealing" rather than expungement for most cases. Sealed records are inaccessible to employers and landlords but retained by the CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services). Massachusetts also allows expungement for a narrow category of cases under the 2018 CORI reform.

Sealing by Petition (Most Common Path)

• Misdemeanor conviction: 3 years after sentence completion (last release from custody or supervision)
• Felony conviction: 7 years after sentence completion
• No new criminal convictions during the waiting period
• File with the Commissioner of Probation — no court appearance required for standard sealing

Sealing by Court Order

• Available for cases where the standard petition process doesn't apply
• File a motion in the court that handled the case

Expungement (Narrow — 2018 Reform)

• Youthful offenders: Cases where the offense occurred before age 21 (or age 18 for some offenses) and the person is now 21+
• Errors in the record
• Misidentification cases

Not Eligible for Sealing

• Sex offenses requiring registration
• First degree murder convictions
• Some firearms offenses

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

Online Sealing (Easiest Path)

Massachusetts allows sealing by mail or online through the Office of the Commissioner of Probation. No court appearance required:

1. Download a sealing petition from the Massachusetts Courts website (mass.gov/courts).
2. Complete the form and mail to: Commissioner of Probation, One Ashburton Place, Room 405, Boston, MA 02108.
3. Receive confirmation — typical processing time is several weeks to months.

Court Petition (If Needed)

1. File a Motion to Seal with the court that handled the case.
2. Hearing scheduled — judge has discretion.
3. Order issued and forwarded to CJIS.

Waiting Periods

• Dismissed / acquitted: Immediately sealable by petition
• Misdemeanor conviction: 3 years from last release from custody or supervision
• Felony conviction: 7 years from last release

Costs

• Filing fee: None — Massachusetts sealing is free
• Attorney fees: $500–$2,000 if using an attorney

Massachusetts Legal Aid and Greater Boston Legal Services offer free sealing assistance. Visit masslegalhelp.org.

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

After a successful expungement or sealing in Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts for advice specific to your situation.