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www.dpa.ky.gov
Disclaimer of Liability: This information is provided as a public service. The information is not legal advice or legal representation.
Acquittal, Dismissal & Failure to Indict.
A certificate of eligibility is NOT required.
Acquittal or Dismissal with Prejudice: automatic expungement after July 2020, meaning no
action required but you may file if expungement is not automatically granted. After 60-days from
dismissal/acquittal, file the Acquittal Form in the court of acquittal/dismissal. There is no fee.
Dismissal without Prejudice:
o Misdemeanor: Eligible for expungement after 1-year. There is no filing fee. File the
Dismissal Form in the court of dismissal.
o Felony: Eligible for expungement after 3-years. There is no filing fee. File the Dismissal
Form in the court of dismissal.
Failure to Indict: If you are charged with a felony in district court and after 6-months you have
not been indicted, you may file for expungement. There is no filing fee. File the “Failure to Indict”
Form in the court you were charged.
I think I’m eligible!
How do I get an expungement?
STEP 1: Get a Certificate of Eligibility (only needed for expungement of a conviction)
You must have a Certificate of Eligibility to request an expungement for any conviction.
A certificate of eligibility costs $40 and can be ordered online or by mail.
o Online: courts.ky.gov/expungement
o Mail: sending the “certification form” and a $40 money order to:
Records Unit / Administrative Office of the
Courts / 1001 Vandalay Drive / Frankfort, KY 40601
Your packet will confirm whether you are eligible to expunge your record. If the packet says you are
not eligible, there could be a mistake. You can always file as the Court ultimately decides eligibility.
We suggest you speak with an attorney.
STEP 2: File your packet and expungement request form with the court.
Once you receive your certification packet, you have 30 days to file your documents with the
court. After that time, your certification packet will expire.
You must file in the county where the conviction took place.
Misdemeanor: file the misdemeanor conviction expungement form, with certification packet, and a
filing fee of $100 per case ($50 refunded if not granted). A judge may schedule a hearing. If so, it
will be within 1-month of filing.
Class D Felony: file felony conviction expungement form, with certification packet, and a filing fee
of $50. If the judge scheduled a hearing, it will be within 1-month of filing.
o If granted, you must pay $250 for the expungement to become final. Payment plans are
available but the expungement is NOT FINAL until paid in full.