LibGuides: Expungement/Sealing of Records and Certificate of Qualification for Employment (CQE): Expungement or Sealing of a Record

Expungement or "Sealing of Records"?

What is "Expungement"?

Under the law effective April 6, 2023, "expunge" means "To destroy, delete, and erase a record as appropriate for the record's physical or electronic form or characteristic so that the record is permanently irretrievable." Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31(B)(2)(b).

What is "Sealing of Records"?

Convictions and non-convictions can be sealed or “hidden” from most background checks. Sealed electronic and paper records are filed in a separate, secured location. The records still exist but cannot be seen by most people."

Source - Hamilton County Public Defender's Fresh Start (scroll down)

Sealing Help from the Reentry Clinic - University of Akron School of Law

Reentry Clinic- University of Akron School of Law
The Expungement Clinic assists low-income clients in filing applications to seal or expunge their criminal record. These criminal records can present multiple problems for individuals, ranging from the stigma attached to the record to losing out on jobs and opportunities for housing.
How to Use the Clinic
To use the Expungement Clinic, you must be a resident of the City of Akron or a Summit County resident with a minor child residing in Summit County. The Expungement Clinic is held monthly. The link above lists the date and location for the next Expungment Clinic, explains what to bring to the clinic and describes financial assistance.

Law behind expungement and sealing of records

Ohio Revised Code 2953.31 to 2953.61
Scroll down to section 2953.31 for the law on sealing criminal records.

Expungement & Sealing - Recent Legislation

134th General Assembly, Senate Bill 288, effective April 4, 2023
*Created a true expungement where records are destroyed, which is different from sealing a criminal record (court maintains record but the public can not access it).
* Made changes to whether a conviction is eligible for sealing or expungement
*Some people who have been ineligible in past may now be eligible to have their record sealed. However certain offenses may no longer be eligible for sealing.
*Made changes to the waiting periods to apply for sealing or expungement
*Many other changes
135th Gen Assembly HB 33 eff. Oct. 3, 2023
Created true expungement for a dismissed complaint, indictment, or information, or no bills.
135th G.A. HB 234, eff. Mar. 20, 2025
Amends section 2953.32 to Allows for multiple third degree felonies to be treated as a single conviction for purposes of sealing and expungement under certain circumstances.
Allows an offender to seal, but not expunge, a conviction record for third degree misdemeanor domestic violence or a conviction record for violating a protection order.
136th Gen. Assembly HB 96, signed by Governor 6/30/2025
Changes R.C. 2953.32:(A)(1):
Now says: Sections 2953.32 and, 2953.34 of the Revised Code do not apply to any of the following: [list of certain convictions].
Previous language: Sections 2953.32 to 2953.34 of the Revised Code do not apply to any of the following: [list of certain convictions].
(Emphasis added)

More information:

Starting April 4, 2023, Laws Concerning sealing and expungement are changing
Hamilton County Public Defender, Fresh Start
Ohio Legislative Service Commission Final Analysis 134th General Assembly, S.B. 288
pages 8-9, 63-78.

More Web Resources

Sealings- Summit County Court of Common Pleas
Motion to Seal Criminal Record Form - Summit County
Ohio Criminal Record Relief Options
Moritz College of Law
Ohio Restoration of Rights and Record Relief
from the Collateral Consequences Resource Center. Updated May 6, 2024