Arizona Expungement
Arizona Record Sealing: A New Start Under Expanded Arizona Law
Arizona uses two distinct remedies for clearing criminal records. The older "set aside" process under A.R.S. § 13-907 marks a conviction as set aside but leaves it visible on background checks. The newer record sealing law under A.R.S. § 13-911, which took effect January 1, 2023, goes significantly further — allowing a court to seal the record of arrest, conviction, and sentence so that it no longer appears to most employers, landlords, or the public. For marijuana-related offenses, Proposition 207 created a separate true expungement remedy under A.R.S. § 36-2862 that actually destroys qualifying records. Knowing which path applies to your history is the first step, and our specialists work across all Arizona counties to guide you through the correct process.
Quick Answer
Arizona allows expungement of eligible criminal records under A.R.S. § 13-911 (Record Sealing); A.R.S. § 13-907 (Set Aside); A.R.S. § 36-2862 (Marijuana Expungement, Prop 207). The typical timeframe is 3–6 months from filing to court order. Eligibility depends on conviction type, completion of sentence, and waiting period requirements. Fresh Start Expungement coordinates the filing process at a flat fee of $10,000 per record.
Who Qualifies in Arizona
Eligibility Requirements
Each case is evaluated individually. The criteria below reflect the general statutory requirements. Your case will be reviewed in detail before any filing.
To petition for record sealing under A.R.S. § 13-911, you must have completed all terms and conditions of your sentence — including payment of all fines, fees, and restitution — and the applicable waiting period must have elapsed after your discharge.
Waiting periods vary by offense class: Class 2 or 3 felony convictions require 10 years after discharge; Class 4, 5, or 6 felony convictions require 5 years; Class 1 misdemeanors require 3 years; and Class 2 or 3 misdemeanors require 2 years after discharge.
A 2024 amendment (SB 1639) removed the prior-conviction extension to the waiting period, meaning a prior felony conviction on your record no longer adds additional time before you may petition.
You must not have been subsequently convicted of any offense other than a misdemeanor motor vehicle violation; a new criminal conviction after your discharge may disqualify your petition.
Offenses categorically ineligible for sealing include dangerous offenses involving a deadly weapon, dangerous instrument, or intentional infliction of serious physical injury; offenses with a victim under 15 years of age; offenses requiring sex offender registration; and offenses involving a finding of sexual motivation.
For marijuana-related offenses under Proposition 207, you may separately petition for expungement under A.R.S. § 36-2862 if your conduct involved possessing or transporting two and one-half ounces or less of marijuana, cultivating up to six plants at your primary residence, or possessing marijuana paraphernalia — and you may qualify even if you have not yet completed all terms of your sentence.
Important exceptions: Arizona's sealing law does not apply to dangerous offenses as defined by A.R.S. § 13-105, a category that encompasses any crime involving the use, threatened use, or knowing possession of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, or the intentional or knowing infliction of serious physical injury. Offenses against children under 15, sex offenses requiring registration under A.R.S. § 13-3821, and convictions with a sexual motivation finding are permanently excluded. The older set-aside remedy under A.R.S. § 13-907 remains available for many convictions that are ineligible for sealing and may still provide some benefit in employment contexts, but it does not hide the record from public view the way sealing does.
How It Works
The Arizona Process
We begin by pulling your Arizona criminal history from the Arizona Department of Public Safety and reviewing each conviction to identify which records are eligible for sealing under § 13-911 versus those qualifying for true expungement under § 36-2862, then calculate your applicable waiting periods and confirm that all sentence conditions have been met.
For record sealing, we prepare and file your petition in the superior court of conviction, serving the prosecutor's office and the Arizona Department of Public Safety; for Proposition 207 marijuana expungement, we file the petition with the original court, which notifies the prosecuting agency and schedules a hearing if the agency disputes eligibility within 30 days.
Once the court enters its order, we transmit certified copies to the Arizona Department of Public Safety and all relevant agencies to update the state repository, and we advise you on your statutory right to answer most questions about the sealed record as though the arrest and conviction never occurred.
Typical Timeframe
3–6 Months
Legal Reference
Governing Statute
The primary legal authority governing expungement in Arizona is A.R.S. § 13-911 (Record Sealing); A.R.S. § 13-907 (Set Aside); A.R.S. § 36-2862 (Marijuana Expungement, Prop 207). This page was last reviewed on January 15, 2025.
State laws change. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in Arizona for guidance specific to your case. Fresh Start Expungement provides document preparation services, not legal representation.
Related Reading
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Expungement in Other States
California
Looking for a California expungement attorney? Fresh Start offers flat-fee expungement filing at $10,000 per record. Free eligibility check, no hourly billing.
Texas
Looking for a Texas expungement attorney? Fresh Start offers flat-fee expunction and nondisclosure filing at $10,000 per record. Free eligibility check.
Florida
Looking for a Florida expungement attorney? Fresh Start offers flat-fee record sealing and expungement filing at $10,000 per record. Free eligibility check.
New York
New York offers sealing of up to 2 convictions under CPL § 160.59 after a 10-year clean period. Learn eligibility and timelines (6–18 months).
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About this service
Fresh Start Expungement is a record-clearing services provider, not a law firm. We coordinate document preparation and filing for individuals seeking expungement. We do not provide legal advice or attorney representation. Complex or contested matters may require independent legal counsel.
Results disclosure
Results are not guaranteed. Eligibility and outcomes depend on state law, conviction type, court approval, and individual case circumstances. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
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