The State of Alabama does not currently offer offenders the option to have their records expunged if convicted of a crime as an adult. The only form of relief from a conviction as an adult is to apply for an Executive Clemency pardon.
Juvenile records may be expunged. This process is available after 2 years have passed since turning 18, or 2 years have passed from being discharged of custody. All fines and restitution must be paid at the time of application and the individual must not have been charged with a crime of moral turpitude or been adjudicated as a juvenile delinquent. Arrests that resulted in charges being dropped or dismissed are automatically sealed after 30 days.
Pardons in Alabama are granted by the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles. A pardon officially relieves an individual from further penalties and disabilities from a criminal offense. A person can apply for a pardon upon completion of sentence or after completing three consecutive years of parole. The Board may grant a full pardon, which restores all civil rights and political rights or they may grant a pardon with restrictions. Some restrictions may include the right to possess a firearm, sexual offender restrictions, or any restrictions that the Board deem appropriate. Certain felony offenses are not eligible for voter rights restoration.
A pardon in Alabama does not erase or expunge criminal convictions. Arrests and convictions will continue to appear when a criminal background check is conducted. A pardon certificate is issued to the individual as proof of a pardon. A pardon with the restoration of civil and political rights may be granted for the felony convictions to residents of the state, but the pardon is only good in the state of Alabama.
**For municipal ordinance convictions, a pardon must be requested from the mayor of the city where the conviction occurred.**
IMPORTANT NOTICE: To apply for a pardon in Alabama, you must write the Board of Pardons and Paroles and request an application from: