Pennsylvania Clean Slate Law: Automatic Limited Access (2026)

Clean Slate (Act 56 of 2018; amended by Act 83 of 2020 and Act 36 of 2023): "clean slate limited access," 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2

Last updated: 2026-10-12 (official sources checked)Operating

Quick Answer

Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law automatically seals ("limited access") eligible records every month with no petition: non-conviction charges within 30 days, summary convictions 5 years after the judgment, many second- and third-degree misdemeanors after 7 years free of convictions punishable by a year or more, and qualifying drug felonies after 10 years. Court-ordered restitution must be paid.

Sealed records are hidden from employers, landlords and the public, but criminal justice agencies still see them. You will not be notified — search the court docket portal or request your State Police record to confirm. Unconditionally pardoned convictions and full acquittals are expunged, not just sealed.

Is it operating yet?

Operating. Each month, the AOPC sends eligible conviction records to the State Police central repository. The State Police validate them, and each court of common pleas issues a monthly limited-access order. Non-conviction records and summary convictions are sent within 30 days of becoming eligible. The judiciary reports that all Act 36 of 2023 ("Clean Slate III") changes, including the State Police's, were in place by October 1, 2024. It also reports that 47.7 million cases had been fully or partially sealed as of January 2025.

Sources: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 (Clean slate limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.2(b)(1); § 9122.2(b)(2)(i); § 9122.2(b)(2)(ii); § 9122.2(b)(5)); Unified Judicial System of PA — Proposed Budget 2025-26 (Clean Slate program narrative) (Clean Slate program narrative (p. 70)); Office of the Governor — Clean Slate ceremonial signing press release (June 11, 2024) (Press release body)

The law

Act 56 of 2018 (signed June 28, 2018; effective in 365 days; the courts report it took effect June 28, 2019). Act 83 of 2020 (signed October 29, 2020; effective in 60 days) added conditionally pardoned convictions and required processing of eligible records within 365 days. Act 36 of 2023 (HB 689, signed December 14, 2023) took effect in two stages. Its changes to § 9122.2(a)(1), (1.1) and (3), § 9122.3 and the pardon/acquittal expungement provisions took effect in 180 days; the Governor marked June 11, 2024 as the day the updated law took effect. Its other changes took effect in 60 days.

Sources: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 (Clean slate limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.2 history note; § 9122.2 history note, 2020 Amendment; § 9122.2 history note, 2023 Amendment); 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.3 (Exceptions) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.3 history note); 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 (Expungement) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122 history note); Unified Judicial System of PA — Proposed Budget 2025-26 (Clean Slate program narrative) (Clean Slate program narrative); Office of the Governor — Clean Slate ceremonial signing press release (June 11, 2024) (Press release body; Press release summary)

What automatic limited access does

Limited access (sealing), not expungement. The State Police remove limited-access records before releasing criminal history to individuals and non-criminal-justice agencies. Courts and the AOPC may not release them to individuals, non-criminal-justice agencies or websites. Criminal justice agencies still receive them, and the record stays part of the criminal history for court purposes, including sentencing. Separately, § 9122 provides automatic expungement (not just sealing) for unconditionally pardoned convictions (added by Act 36 of 2023) and for full acquittals.

Sources: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 (Clean slate limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.2 heading and (a)); 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.3 (Exceptions) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.3(a)); 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102 (Definitions) — PA General Assembly (§ 9102, "Qualifying offense"); 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121 (General regulations) — PA General Assembly (§ 9121(b)(2); § 9121(b)(2)(iii); § 9121(b)(3); § 9121(a)); 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.5 (Effects of expunged records and records subject to limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.5(c)); 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 (Expungement) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122(a.1)(1); § 9122 history note; § 9122(a)(4))

Records covered and waiting periods

Non-conviction charges (dismissed, withdrawn, nolle prossed, not guilty, completed diversion)

Waiting period: None; sent for limited access within 30 days after the disposition and payment of any ordered restitution
Conditions: Any final disposition other than a conviction

Source: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 (Clean slate limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.2(a)(2); § 9122.2(b)(2)(i))

Summary offense convictions

Waiting period: 5 years after entry of the judgment of conviction
Conditions: All court-ordered restitution paid; the statute also refers to paying the previously authorized limited-access fee. Not subject to the § 9122.3 offense/prior-record exclusions, which apply to § 9122.2(a)(1).

Sources: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 (Clean slate limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.2(a)(3); § 9122.2(b)(2)(ii); § 9122.2(a)(1), (1.1), (3)); 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.3 (Exceptions) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.3(a))

Misdemeanors of the second or third degree, or misdemeanors punishable by no more than two years

Waiting period: 7 years free from conviction for any offense punishable by one or more years
Conditions: All court-ordered restitution paid; subject to the § 9122.3 offense, prior-record and same-case exclusions

Sources: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 (Clean slate limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.2(a)(1)); 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.3 (Exceptions) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.3(a))

Qualifying drug-act offenses (section 13 of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act), including felonies

Waiting period: 10 years free from conviction for any offense punishable by one or more years
Conditions: Not if a minimum of 30+ months or maximum of 60+ months was imposed; restitution paid; subject to § 9122.3 exceptions (the same-case rule does not apply to qualifying offenses)

Sources: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 (Clean slate limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.2(a)(1.1)); 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102 (Definitions) — PA General Assembly (§ 9102, "Qualifying offense"); 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.3 (Exceptions) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.3(b))

Convictions for which a conditional pardon was granted

Waiting period: See conditions
Conditions: Limited access applies to the conditionally pardoned conviction

Source: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 (Clean slate limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.2(a)(4))

Convictions with an unconditional pardon (automatic expungement, not limited access)

Waiting period: Board of Pardons notifies the AOPC quarterly; the court then orders expungement
Conditions: Unconditional pardon granted

Sources: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 (Expungement) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122(a)(2), (2.1); § 9122(a.1)(1); § 9122(a.1)(3)); Office of the Governor — Clean Slate ceremonial signing press release (June 11, 2024) (Press release body)

Full acquittals at trial (automatic expungement)

Waiting period: No later than 12 months from the date of acquittal
Conditions: Acquitted of all charges from the same conduct or criminal episode; not partial acquittals; Commonwealth has 60 days to object

Source: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 (Expungement) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122(a)(4); § 9122(a)(4)(ii); § 9122(a)(4)(iv))

Not cleared automatically

Convictions for offenses involving danger to the person, offenses against the family, firearms offenses (Chapter 61), registration/tier sex offenses, cruelty to animal and corruption of minors, including attempts, conspiracies and solicitations (misdemeanor route)
Source: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.3 (Exceptions) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.3(a); § 9122.3(a)(1)(i)-(iii); § 9122.3(a)(1)(iv); § 9122.3(a)(1)(v)-(vi))
Anyone who has ever been convicted of a felony other than a qualifying drug offense, two or more offenses punishable by more than two years, or four or more offenses punishable by one or more years. Counts on one docket with the same offense tracking number count as one conviction, unless the docket has more than two felony convictions.
Source: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.3 (Exceptions) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.3(a)(2)(i)-(iii); § 9122.3(a.1))
Anyone ever convicted of indecent exposure, sexual intercourse with an animal, failure to comply with sex-offender registration, weapons or implements for escape, abuse of corpse, or paramilitary training
Source: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.3 (Exceptions) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.3(a)(2)(iv)(A)-(B); § 9122.3(a)(2)(iv)(D)-(F))
An otherwise eligible conviction in the same case as a conviction punishable by five or more years or an excluded offense (does not apply to qualifying drug offenses)
Source: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.3 (Exceptions) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.3(b))
Unpaid court-ordered restitution
Source: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 (Clean slate limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.2(a)(1); § 9122.2(a)(1.1); § 9122.2(a)(3))
A later misdemeanor or felony conviction lets the prosecutor move to vacate earlier limited-access orders (except for non-conviction records); erroneous orders can also be vacated
Source: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.4 (Order to vacate order for limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.4(b); § 9122.4(a))

How to check whether your record was cleared

You will not be notified. Search the UJS public docket portal: a fully sealed case returns "No Cases Found," and a partially sealed case shows only the offenses that were not eligible. Courts and the AOPC are barred by statute from posting limited-access records on a website.
Sources: Chester County (PA) Clerk of Courts — Clean Slate FAQ (Clean Slate FAQ — How will I know if my case has been sealed?); 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121 (General regulations) — PA General Assembly (§ 9121(b)(3))
Ask the clerk of courts in the county of conviction for proof. In Chester County, for example, a defendant with ID can get proof that all or part of a case was sealed at no charge.
Source: Chester County (PA) Clerk of Courts — Clean Slate FAQ (Clean Slate FAQ — What proof can be provided to show that my case has been sealed?)
Request a State Police "Access and Review" by mail (Form SP 4-170, $20) to see your entire Pennsylvania record, including non-convictions. A regular $22 PATCH check is a release to an individual, so the State Police must first remove limited-access records from it. PSP checks cover Pennsylvania records only, not federal records.
Sources: Pennsylvania State Police — Request a Criminal History Background Check (Individual access and review; Types of checks and fees; Overview); Pennsylvania State Police — Overview of PATCH (glossary) (PATCH Glossary — Access and Review); 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121 (General regulations) — PA General Assembly (§ 9121(b)(2); § 9121(b)(2)(iii))

Who can still see a cleared record

Criminal justice agencies (courts, police, prosecutors, probation agencies, correctional facilities and others) continue to receive limited-access records
Sources: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121 (General regulations) — PA General Assembly (§ 9121(a)); 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 (Clean slate limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.2(c)); 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102 (Definitions) — PA General Assembly (§ 9102, "Criminal justice agency")
County children and youth agencies and the Department of Human Services
Source: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121 (General regulations) — PA General Assembly (§ 9121(b.1); § 9121(b.2)(2)(iii)-(iv))
Under a court order in child custody or protection-from-abuse cases, and employers defending a civil liability claim (court order required)
Source: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121 (General regulations) — PA General Assembly (§ 9121(b.2)(1)(i); § 9121(b.2)(1)(ii))
Employers whose criminal-history check is required by federal law
Sources: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121 (General regulations) — PA General Assembly (§ 9121(b.2)(2)(i)); 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.5 (Effects of expunged records and records subject to limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.5(a.1))
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court and its entities (for example bar admission)
Source: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121 (General regulations) — PA General Assembly (§ 9121(b.2)(2)(ii))
Candidates for public office must self-disclose for constitutional eligibility; courts receive the record for sentencing and other relevant purposes
Source: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.5 (Effects of expunged records and records subject to limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.5(c.1); § 9122.5(c))

If automatic relief does not cover your record

If a record was not sealed automatically, a person may petition the court of common pleas in the county of conviction for limited access under § 9122.1 (UJS form: Petition for Limited Access Pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 791). Any offense eligible for clean slate limited access is also eligible for a petition. The district attorney may object within 30 days; if no objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. A $132 statewide fee plus county fees applies. Expungement petitions use the Rule 490/790 forms.

Sources: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.3 (Exceptions) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.3(c)); 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1 (Petition for limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.1(a); § 9122.1(c)); Unified Judicial System of PA — Forms for the Public (Limited Access forms; Expungements forms); 42 Pa.C.S. § 1725.7 (Petition for expungement or order for limited access fee) — PA General Assembly (42 Pa.C.S. § 1725.7(a))

Pennsylvaniaexpungement and sealing guide — every route by record type →

Official links

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be told when my record is sealed under Clean Slate?

No. Search your case on the UJS docket portal: a fully sealed case shows "No Cases Found" and a partially sealed case shows only the ineligible offenses. For proof, ask the county clerk of courts or request a State Police Access and Review.

Sources: Chester County (PA) Clerk of Courts — Clean Slate FAQ (Clean Slate FAQ — How will I know if my case has been sealed?; Clean Slate FAQ — What proof can be provided to show that my case has been sealed?); Pennsylvania State Police — Overview of PATCH (glossary) (PATCH Glossary — Access and Review)

Do I have to pay off fines and court costs first?

For conviction records, the statute requires payment of all court-ordered restitution, not fines and costs in general. It also says that, once restitution is paid, the person must pay "the fee previously authorized to carry out the limited access and clean slate limited access provisions." The courts describe Act 83 of 2020 as limiting the requirement to restitution and that statutorily mandated fee. Non-conviction records require only payment of any ordered restitution.

Sources: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 (Clean slate limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.2(a)(1); § 9122.2(a)(1), (1.1), (3); § 9122.2(b)(2)(i)); Unified Judicial System of PA — Proposed Budget 2025-26 (Clean Slate program narrative) (Clean Slate program narrative)

Do I have to tell an employer, landlord or school about a sealed record?

Generally no. You may not be required or asked to disclose an expunged or limited-access record, and if asked you may respond as if the offense did not occur. These records may not be used for employment, housing or school admission unless federal law requires it. Exceptions include criminal justice agencies and employers whose checks are required by federal law.

Sources: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.5 (Effects of expunged records and records subject to limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.5(a)(1); § 9122.5(a.1)); 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121 (General regulations) — PA General Assembly (§ 9121(b.2)(2)(i))

Can a Pennsylvania licensing board use a sealed conviction?

No. Section 9124 bars Commonwealth licensing boards, commissions and departments from using convictions that were expunged or placed under limited access under §§ 9122.1 or 9122.2 when considering a license application.

Source: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9124 (Use of records by licensing agencies) — PA General Assembly (§ 9124(b); § 9124(b)(2))

Can Clean Slate sealing be undone?

Yes. If you are later convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, the prosecutor can ask the court to vacate earlier limited-access orders; this does not apply to non-conviction records. A court must also vacate an order that was entered in error.

Source: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.4 (Order to vacate order for limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.4(b); § 9122.4(a))

Does Clean Slate sealing restore gun rights?

Not by itself. A limited-access record remains part of the criminal history and is still disclosed to courts. Federal law treats a conviction according to the law of the state where it happened and excludes convictions that were expunged, set aside, pardoned or had civil rights restored. Limited access is not on that list. Pennsylvania's firearm-disability relief under § 6105(d) refers to vacated convictions and full pardons, among other conditions. Get legal advice before possessing a firearm.

Sources: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.5 (Effects of expunged records and records subject to limited access) — PA General Assembly (§ 9122.5(c)); 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(20) (Cornell LII mirror; uscode.house.gov was under maintenance) (18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(20)); 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105 (Persons not to possess firearms) — PA General Assembly (§ 6105(d)(1)-(2))

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This is informational only, not legal advice. Whether a particular record qualifies depends on the exact offense, sentence, dates and later cases. Confirm with the court, the state records agency or a legal aid office before relying on a record being cleared.