Seal Your Arizona Criminal Record
Since 2023, Arizona lets you seal your record from public view under A.R.S. 13-911. Find out if you qualify, and let us handle the petition.
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Can You Seal a Criminal Record in Arizona?
Quick answer: Yes. Under A.R.S. § 13-911, effective January 2023, most people can petition to seal their arrest, charge, and conviction records from public view once a waiting period passes. Sealed records disappear from most background checks, and you can lawfully say you were never arrested or convicted for most purposes. A handful of serious offenses are excluded, and all fines and restitution must be paid first.
Check If You Qualify
Answer a few questions and we will screen your record against every Arizona relief option at once.
What Sealing Your Record Does (and Doesn’t Do)
✓ Sealing DOES
- Hides your arrest, charge, and conviction from public view
- Removes the record from most employer and landlord background checks
- Lets you lawfully answer “no” to “have you been convicted?” on most job and housing applications
- Keeps your restored civil rights intact
- Applies to convictions, dismissals, acquittals, and arrests with no charges
✗ Sealing DOES NOT
- Does not hide the record from law enforcement, prosecutors, or the courts
- Does not erase priors, they can still be used in a later criminal case
- Does not clear child-related screening (DCS, DDD, schools, fingerprint clearance cards)
- Does not change the immigration consequences of a conviction
- Does not apply to the offenses excluded by statute (see below)
Awards & Recognition
Our recognition for Phoenix record sealing defense is independently verified, click any award to confirm it:
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
- Elite Lawyer 2026 – Criminal Defense
- Super Lawyers – Southwest
- National College for DUI Defense (NCDD)
When you are looking for the best Phoenix record sealing lawyers, these are the independently verified credentials that matter, earned by Founding Attorney Michael Tamou and a full team of attorneys, including former prosecutors.
A.R.S. 13-911 in Plain Terms: Waiting Periods
The single most important factor is how much time has passed since your absolute discharge, the later of your release from custody or discharge from probation. Section 13-911 sets the waiting period by the class of the offense:
| Offense Class | Waiting Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanors | 2 years | from absolute discharge (some offenses 3 years) |
| Class 4, 5 & 6 felonies | 5 years | from absolute discharge |
| Class 2 & 3 felonies | 10 years | from absolute discharge |
| Excluded offenses | Not eligible | certain sex offenses, victims under 15, and dangerous offenses under subsection (O) |
All restitution, fines, and fees must be paid before you can seal. Certain sex offenses and dangerous offenses are excluded entirely.
A 2024 amendment (SB 1639) refined the rules, so the current waiting periods and exclusions are what control, not older versions of the law. If your offense is on the excluded list under subsection (O), sealing is not available, but a set-aside or other relief may still help.
Who Qualifies to Seal a Record in Arizona?
You are generally eligible if: your waiting period has passed; you have paid all restitution, fines, and fees; you are not currently charged with or serving a sentence for another offense; and your offense is not on the excluded list. Both convictions and non-convictions (dismissals, acquittals, and arrests that never led to charges) can be sealed, and non-convictions often have no waiting period at all.
The Record-Sealing Process, Step by Step
- Confirm eligibility and gather your case numbers and discharge dates.
- Prepare and file the petition in the court that handled your case, one petition per case.
- Serve the prosecutor, who has a set window to object.
- Respond to any objection or attend a hearing if the court sets one.
- The judge signs the order and your record is sealed from public view.
We handle every step, so you never guess at a form or a deadline. Call 623-321-4699 for a free record review.
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Arizona Record Sealing FAQs
How do I seal my criminal record in Arizona?
You file a petition under A.R.S. 13-911 in the court that handled your case, after your waiting period passes and all fines and restitution are paid. If the prosecutor does not successfully object, the judge orders your arrest, charge, and conviction sealed from public view.
How long does it take to seal a record in Arizona?
From filing, most sealing petitions resolve in a few weeks to a few months, depending on the court and whether the prosecutor objects. The bigger factor is the statutory waiting period you must complete before you can file at all.
What is the waiting period to seal a record in Arizona?
Two years for most misdemeanors, five years for class 4-6 felonies, and ten years for class 2-3 felonies, measured from your absolute discharge. Non-convictions such as dismissals and acquittals often have no waiting period.
What records cannot be sealed in Arizona?
Certain serious offenses are excluded under A.R.S. 13-911(O), including some sex offenses, offenses against victims under 15, and certain dangerous offenses. If sealing is unavailable, a set-aside may still relieve many penalties.
Does sealing a record show up on a background check?
A sealed record should not appear on most private employer or landlord background checks, and you can lawfully deny the arrest or conviction for most purposes. Law enforcement, the courts, and certain child-related screenings can still access it.
What is the difference between sealing and setting aside a conviction?
A set-aside (A.R.S. 13-905) vacates the judgment of guilt but the record stays public; sealing (13-911) hides the record from public view. Many people do both for the strongest protection.
Do I have to pay off fines before sealing my record?
Yes. Section 13-911 requires that all restitution, fines, and fees be paid in full before a record can be sealed. If you still owe a balance, we can help you get on track so you can file.
Can I seal a record if I have more than one case?
Yes, but you must file a separate petition for each case, in the court that handled it. We routinely coordinate multi-case sealing so everything moves together.
Two Arizona Offices, One Team
We serve all of Maricopa County and the surrounding area, with free, confidential consultations 24/7 by phone and in-person meetings at either office by appointment.
Case Results Disclaimer: The results described on this page are based on specific facts and circumstances and do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future results. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this page or submitting a contact form until a written fee agreement has been signed. Tamou Law Group, PLLC is licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.