What is the difference between erasure and expungement in Connecticut?

Connecticut uses the term "erasure" rather than expungement. When a record is erased in Connecticut, police, court, and prosecutor records of the charge may not be disclosed to others; the records are flagged for nondisclosure rather than necessarily destroyed (you can ask the clerk to physically destroy them after three years). The person is legally deemed to have never been arrested and may swear so under oath. This is governed by Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a.

What crimes are NOT eligible for erasure under Clean Slate in Connecticut?

Family violence crimes, sex offenses (both nonviolent and violent), certain assaults (second and third degree), strangulation, stalking in the first degree, burglary with a firearm, weapons-related offenses, enticement of minors, child exploitation offenses, and a second DUI within 10 years are all excluded from Clean Slate erasure.

How much does it cost to get a record erased in Connecticut?

There is no filing fee for a Clean Slate erasure petition (form JD-CR-202), and no fee to apply for a pardon from the Board of Pardons and Paroles. However, obtaining your criminal history record from DESPP costs $75. If you hire an attorney to help with a pardon application, expect to pay $500–$2,000. Legal aid organizations offer free assistance.

How do I know if my record was automatically erased under Clean Slate?

Connecticut currently has no system to notify residents when their records are erased. You can check by requesting your criminal history record from DESPP for $75. If your eligible conviction was imposed after January 1, 2000, and it has been 7+ years (misdemeanor) or 10+ years (felony) since your most recent conviction with your sentence completed, it should have been automatically erased. If it was not, you can submit a hearing request to DESPP.

What is the difference between an Absolute Pardon and a Certificate of Employability?

An Absolute Pardon results in erasure of your Connecticut adult criminal convictions — the records are flagged for nondisclosure (not necessarily destroyed) and you are deemed never to have been arrested for the erased proceedings. A Certificate of Employability (also called a Provisional Pardon) does not erase your record but makes it illegal for employers to deny you a job solely because of your criminal history. The Certificate is available sooner and can serve as a bridge while you wait to qualify for a full pardon.

Can I get a job after erasure in Connecticut?

Yes. After erasure, you may legally answer 'no' when asked about criminal history on job applications. Connecticut law prohibits employers from inquiring about erased records, and consumer reporting agencies cannot disclose them. You may also swear under oath that you were never arrested for the erased offense. Employers who violate these rules can face legal consequences.

Does Connecticut erasure affect federal background checks or immigration?

Connecticut erasure removes records from state databases, but it does not affect federal records. The FBI may still have a record of your arrest or conviction. Federal immigration authorities (USCIS) are not bound by state erasure laws and may still access and consider erased convictions when evaluating immigration applications. You must still disclose erased convictions if asked by federal authorities.

Connecticut (CT) — Expungement & Record Clearing

Yes, you can clear your criminal record in Connecticut through erasure under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a. Connecticut's Clean Slate Act automatically erases most misdemeanor convictions after 7 years and eligible Class D/E felony convictions after 10 years — no petition needed when the offense was committed on or after January 1, 2000. For older offenses, you can file a free petition (form JD-CR-202). Dismissed charges, nolled cases, and acquittals are erased automatically. Family violence, sex offenses, and certain violent crimes are not eligible. An Absolute Pardon through the Board of Pardons and Paroles is another path to full erasure. Erased records are flagged so they cannot be disclosed (they are not necessarily destroyed), and you are legally deemed never to have been arrested for the erased proceedings and may say so under oath. Below is the full guide with eligibility, step-by-step process, costs, timeline, and FAQ.

Prepare questions about a record-clearing process

Last updated: 2026-10-12

Overview

Connecticut uses the term "erasure" rather than expungement. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a, criminal records are erased when charges are dismissed, nolled (after 13 months), or result in acquittal. For convictions, Connecticut's 2021 Clean Slate Act (Public Act 21-32) provides automatic erasure of most misdemeanor convictions after 7 years and eligible Class D/E felony convictions after 10 years, provided the person has completed their sentence and remained conviction-free. An Absolute Pardon from the Board of Pardons and Paroles also results in full record erasure. News reports in March 2026 put the number of records erased under Clean Slate above 150,000 (the state has not published an official total).

Official term: Erasure (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a) — Connecticut officially uses "erasure" — erased records are flagged so they cannot be disclosed (they are not necessarily destroyed), and the person is deemed never to have been arrested for the erased proceedings and may say so under oath.

What can be cleared in Connecticut, by record type

Checked against the statutes and official court or agency pages on 2026-10-12. Informational only, not legal advice — the exact offense, sentence, dates and later cases decide whether a particular record qualifies.

Connecticut's legal term is "erasure" (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a), not expungement or sealing. Erased police, court and prosecutor records may not be disclosed, and the person is deemed never to have been arrested for the erased proceedings and may say so under oath. Erasure flags records for nondisclosure; it does not necessarily mean the records are physically destroyed. "Clean Slate" is the informal name for the automatic/petition conviction-erasure rules in § 54-142a(e). The Board of Pardons and Paroles' "absolute pardon" also results in erasure; its "Certificate of Employability" (provisional pardon) does not erase records.

Sources: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a (Erasure of criminal records), cga.ct.gov current statutes (§ 54-142a heading; § 54-142a(g)(2); § 54-142c(a)); Office of Governor Ned Lamont press release (Dec. 2023), Clean Slate implementation (Press release body); CT Board of Pardons and Paroles – Pardon FAQs (What types of pardons are available?)

Arrest or charge with no conviction

Generally availableAutomatic relief exists

Remedy: Erasure (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a(a)–(c)); erasure after dismissal following Accelerated Rehabilitation and other pretrial diversion (e.g., § 54-56e)
Waiting period: Acquittal or dismissal: when the time to appeal expires (or after an appeal upholding the result). Nolle: at least 13 months after the nolle was entered.

If a charge ends in a not-guilty verdict or dismissal, police, court and prosecutor records of that charge are erased by law once the time to appeal runs out. A nolled (nolle prosequi) charge is erased once at least 13 months have passed since the nolle. Charges dismissed after successful completion of Accelerated Rehabilitation are erased under § 54-142a.

Charges ending in a finding of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect
In a multi-count case, records are not erased until all counts in the case qualify for erasure

Sources: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a (Erasure of criminal records), cga.ct.gov current statutes (§ 54-142a(a); § 54-142a(c)(1); § 54-142a(i)(1)); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-56e (accelerated pretrial rehabilitation), cga.ct.gov (§ 54-56e(f))

Misdemeanor conviction

Generally availableAutomatic relief exists

Remedy: Clean Slate erasure (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a(e)); absolute pardon (§ 54-142a(d))
Waiting period: 7 years from the date of the most recent judgment of conviction

Most misdemeanor convictions (and motor vehicle violations with a maximum of one year or less) are erased seven years after the person's most recent judgment of conviction. Erasure happens by operation of law if the offense was committed on or after January 1, 2000; for older offenses the person must file a petition (form JD-CR-202). The person must have completed all incarceration, parole and probation for that offense and for any other conviction since January 1, 2000, and must have no pending Connecticut criminal charge.

Convictions on or after January 1, 2000 designated as family violence crimes
Nonviolent sexual offenses and sexually violent offenses
Specific listed offenses, e.g., assault of an elderly, blind, disabled or pregnant person 3rd degree (§ 53a-61a), strangulation 3rd degree (§ 53a-64cc)
Offenses committed before January 1, 2000 are not erased automatically (petition required)

Sources: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a (Erasure of criminal records), cga.ct.gov current statutes (§ 54-142a(e)(1)(A)(i); § 54-142a(e)(1)(A)(i)(II) and (ii)(II); § 54-142a(e)(3)(A); § 54-142a(e)(3)(B); +4 more); Connecticut Judicial Branch form JD-CR-202, Petition for Clean Slate Erasure (Rev. 11-23) (Instructions, item 1)

Felony conviction

LimitedSome automatic relief

Remedy: Clean Slate erasure (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a(e)) for Class D/E and lower-level unclassified felonies; absolute pardon (§ 54-142a(d)) for others
Waiting period: 10 years from the date of the most recent judgment of conviction (eligible felonies only)

Class D and E felonies, unclassified felonies with a maximum possible sentence of five years or less, and motor vehicle violations with a maximum over one year but not over five years are erased ten years after the most recent judgment of conviction (automatically if the offense was committed on or after January 1, 2000; by petition if earlier). Class is determined by the law in effect when the offense was committed. Class A, B and C felonies and unclassified felonies with a maximum over five years are not covered; an absolute pardon from the Board of Pardons and Paroles results in erasure.

Class A, B and C felonies, and unclassified felonies with a possible maximum over 5 years
Convictions on or after January 1, 2000 designated as family violence crimes
Nonviolent sexual offenses and sexually violent offenses
Listed offenses such as assault 2nd degree with a firearm (§ 53a-60a), strangulation 2nd degree (§ 53a-64bb), stalking 1st degree (§ 53a-181c), burglary 3rd degree with a firearm (§ 53a-103a) and certain weapons offenses

Sources: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a (Erasure of criminal records), cga.ct.gov current statutes (§ 54-142a(e)(1)(A)(ii); § 54-142a(e)(1)(B); § 54-142a(e)(1)(A)(i)(II) and (ii)(II); § 54-142a(e)(2)(A); +3 more); Clean Slate Connecticut – Petition for Clean Slate erasure (1. Complete the petition (NOTE)); CT Board of Pardons and Paroles – Pardon FAQs (What types of pardons are available?)

DUI / DWI conviction

Generally availableAutomatic relief exists

Remedy: Clean Slate erasure (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a(e)(1)(A)(ii)); dismissal and erasure after the pretrial alcohol education program (§ 54-56g)
Waiting period: 10 years from the date of the most recent judgment of conviction

Since July 1, 2023, convictions for operating under the influence (§ 14-227a) are erased ten years after the most recent judgment of conviction, by operation of law for offenses on or after January 1, 2000 and by petition for older offenses. A DUI conviction is not eligible if the person was convicted of another § 14-227a violation within the ten years after it. Erasure does not require the DMV to erase the person's driving record. People who complete the pretrial alcohol education program may apply to have the charge dismissed.

A § 14-227a conviction followed by another § 14-227a conviction within the next 10 years
DMV driving-record entries are not required to be erased

Sources: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a (Erasure of criminal records), cga.ct.gov current statutes (§ 54-142a(e)(1)(A)(ii); § 54-142a(e)(2)(D); § 54-142a, history note (P.A. 23-169 / 23-204); § 54-142a, history note (P.A. 23-204); +1 more); Clean Slate Connecticut (official state site) – Clean Slate eligibility (Eligible offenses); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-56g (§ 54-56g(a)(1); § 54-56g)

Drug possession conviction

Generally availableAutomatic relief exists

Remedy: Clean Slate erasure (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a(e)); cannabis erasure — automatic (§ 54-142u) or by petition (§§ 54-142v, 54-142d)
Waiting period: 7 years from the most recent judgment of conviction for a misdemeanor possession conviction (Clean Slate); no waiting period for the cannabis petition

Under current law, simple possession of a controlled substance other than cannabis (§ 21a-279(a)) is a class A misdemeanor, so it falls in the seven-year Clean Slate category; older convictions are classified under the law in effect when the offense was committed. Separately, § 21a-279(c) possession convictions from January 1, 2000 through September 30, 2015 were erased automatically (effective January 1, 2023). Other low-level cannabis convictions (possession of four ounces or less before 2000 or from October 1, 2015 to before July 1, 2021, cannabis paraphernalia, and certain small-amount sale/cultivation) can be erased by a no-fee court petition.

Clean Slate's general conditions apply (sentence completed, no pending charge)
Possession convictions that carried a maximum over five years under the law at the time of the offense are not covered by Clean Slate

Sources: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21a-279, cga.ct.gov (§ 21a-279 heading; § 21a-279(a)(1)); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a (Erasure of criminal records), cga.ct.gov current statutes (§ 54-142a(e)(1)(B); § 54-142a(e)(1)(A)(i); § 54-142u(a); § 54-142u history; +6 more); Clean Slate Connecticut – Petition for cannabis erasure (Petition requirements)

Juvenile record

Generally availableSome automatic relief

Remedy: Erasure of juvenile records (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-146); youthful offender erasure (§ 54-76o); erasure of under-18 misdemeanor convictions (§ 54-142a(f))
Waiting period: Petition: 2 years after discharge (4 years for a serious juvenile offense) and age 18

A person adjudicated delinquent or a member of a family with service needs may petition the Superior Court for erasure once they are 18 and two years (four years for a serious juvenile offense) have passed since discharge, with no new adult or juvenile conviction in that period and nothing pending. Juvenile charges dismissed as not delinquent are erased immediately without a petition. Youthful offender records are erased automatically at 21 if there is no later felony conviction, and adult-court misdemeanor convictions for offenses committed under 18 between January 1, 2000 and July 1, 2012 are erased by law (pre-2000 by petition).

Not available by petition while any juvenile or adult criminal proceeding is pending
Not available if convicted as an adult of a felony or misdemeanor during the 2- or 4-year period
§ 54-142a(f) does not cover motor vehicle offenses

Sources: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-146 (§ 46b-146); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-76o (youthful offender records), cga.ct.gov (§ 54-76o); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a (Erasure of criminal records), cga.ct.gov current statutes (§ 54-142a(f)(1); § 54-142a(f)(2))

Filing and processing fees

No court fee may be charged for any erasure petition under § 54-142a (including the JD-CR-202 Clean Slate petition) or for a cannabis erasure petition under § 54-142v. The Board of Pardons and Paroles does not currently charge a pardon application fee. Getting your own Connecticut criminal history from the State Police Bureau of Identification costs $75 (personal record search); a $36 name search only returns a yes/no indicator; fingerprinting at a State Police location is $15. By statute, DESPP may waive the criminal history search fee for indigent pardon applicants.

Sources: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a (Erasure of criminal records), cga.ct.gov current statutes (§ 54-142a(k); § 54-142v(a)(4)); CT Board of Pardons and Paroles – Pardon FAQs (Why do I have to pay a fee to the State Police?); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-11(c) (State Police Bureau of Identification fees), cga.ct.gov (§ 29-11(c)(1)(A); § 29-11(c)(1)(B)); DESPP State Police Bureau of Identification, Rate Change Notice (effective Oct. 1, 2026) (Personal Record Search; Name Search); DESPP State Police Bureau of Identification page (Fingerprint Identification Unit fees)

How Connecticut's automatic Clean Slate relief works and how to check its status →

Routes and conditions to check

✓Charges dismissed by the court
✓Charges nolled (not prosecuted for 13+ months)
✓Found not guilty / acquitted at trial
✓Completed a diversionary program (Accelerated Rehabilitation, Family Violence Education Program, IDIP)
✓Misdemeanor convictions (7+ years since most recent conviction, sentence completed) — automatic under Clean Slate
✓Class D or E felony convictions, or unclassified felonies with a maximum sentence of 5 years or less (10+ years since most recent conviction, sentence completed) — automatic under Clean Slate
✓Cannabis possession convictions (certain offenses automatically erased; others eligible by petition)
✓Eligible convictions for offenses committed before January 1, 2000 — Clean Slate erasure by court petition (form JD-CR-202)
✓Granted an Absolute Pardon by the Board of Pardons and Paroles

Exclusions and limits to check

✗Family violence crimes (any conviction designated as a family violence crime)
✗Sex offenses — nonviolent sexual offenses and sexually violent offenses
✗Assault in the second degree with a firearm (§ 53a-60a) and assault of an elderly, blind, disabled or pregnant person or a person with intellectual disability (§§ 53a-60b, 53a-60c, 53a-61a)
✗Strangulation or suffocation (§ 53a-64bb, § 53a-64cc)
✗Stalking in the first degree (§ 53a-181c)
✗Burglary with a firearm, various weapons-related offenses (§§ 53a-211, 53a-212, 53a-216, 53a-217, 53a-217a, 53a-217c)
✗Enticement of minors and child exploitation offenses
✗Sale/delivery/transfer of pistols or revolvers in violation of § 29-33
✗A DUI conviction (§ 14-227a) that was followed by another § 14-227a conviction within the next 10 years (other DUI convictions can be erased 10 years after the most recent conviction)
✗Sex offender registry violations (§§ 54-251 through 54-254)
✗Currently serving a sentence, on probation, or on parole

Waiting Periods

Dismissed charges	Erased upon expiration of appeal period
Nolled charges (not prosecuted)	13 months after nolle entered
Acquittal (not guilty)	Erased upon expiration of appeal period
Diversionary program completed	Erased upon successful completion
Misdemeanor conviction (Clean Slate)	7 years after most recent conviction (sentence must be completed)
Class D/E felony conviction (Clean Slate)	10 years after most recent conviction (sentence must be completed)
Cannabis possession conviction (automatic)	Erased automatically on January 1, 2023 for qualifying offenses (2000–2015)
Absolute Pardon (misdemeanor)	3 years after disposition of most recent misdemeanor
Absolute Pardon (felony)	5 years after disposition of most recent felony

Step-by-Step Process

Determine your pathway

Identify which erasure pathway applies: (a) automatic erasure for dismissed/nolled/acquitted charges, (b) automatic Clean Slate erasure for eligible convictions for offenses committed on or after January 1, 2000, (c) petition-based Clean Slate erasure for offenses committed before 2000, or (d) Absolute Pardon through the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Obtain your criminal history record

Request your official criminal history from the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) using form DPS-0846-C. The fee is $75 for a name/date-of-birth search. This record will confirm what convictions exist and whether any have already been automatically erased.

Check if automatic erasure has occurred

For offenses committed on or after January 1, 2000, check whether automatic Clean Slate erasure has already cleared your record. If your record should have been erased but was not, submit a hearing request form to DESPP with your case details.

File a petition (offenses committed before 2000)

For eligible convictions before January 1, 2000, complete form JD-CR-202 (Petition for Clean Slate Erasure). Swear under oath that you meet eligibility requirements and sign before a Notary Public or Commissioner of the Superior Court. File a separate form for each docket number at the court where you were sentenced.

Court review

The court will either order your conviction(s) erased without a hearing or schedule a hearing on your petition. If erasure is granted, all police, court, and prosecutorial records pertaining to that charge are erased.

Alternative: Apply for an Absolute Pardon

If your conviction does not qualify for Clean Slate erasure, apply through the Board of Pardons and Paroles via the ePardon Portal (ct.gov/bopp). Submit the application, background investigation authorization, three reference questionnaires, and police reports. The Board will conduct a background investigation and may schedule a hearing or expedited review.

Automatic Record Erasure (Clean Slate Act / Public Act 21-32)

Connecticut's Clean Slate Act (Public Act 21-32) and Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a provide automatic erasure for multiple categories of criminal records. Automatic cannabis erasures took effect January 1, 2023. The automated Clean Slate system went live December 17, 2023 but was paused after data errors (still paused as of June 6, 2025); the state reports that Clean Slate erasures have since resumed.

Scenario	Timing and conditions
Charges dismissed by the court	Upon expiration of appeal period
Charges nolled (not prosecuted)	13 months after nolle entered
Acquittal / not guilty verdict	Upon expiration of appeal period
Diversionary program completed (AR, FVEP, IDIP)	Upon successful completion
Eligible misdemeanor conviction (offense on or after Jan. 1, 2000)	7 years after most recent conviction, sentence completed
Eligible Class D/E felony conviction (offense on or after Jan. 1, 2000)	10 years after most recent conviction, sentence completed
Cannabis possession (§ 21a-279(c), 2000–2015)	Automatically erased January 1, 2023
Absolute Pardon granted	Immediately upon pardon

Costs

Filing fee: No filing fee for Clean Slate erasure petition (form JD-CR-202); no fee to apply for a pardon
Fee waiver: Fee waiver available for court costs via form JD-FM-75 if you cannot afford fees
Attorney (optional): $500–$2,000 typical range for pardon assistance (optional); Clean Slate petitions may not require an attorney

Obtaining your criminal history record from DESPP costs $75. The Board of Pardons and Paroles charges no application fee. Legal aid organizations such as Statewide Legal Services (1-800-453-3320) and New Haven Legal Assistance offer free help.

Timeline

With attorney: 2–6 months for pardon applications; Clean Slate petitions may be resolved faster
Standard: Automatic erasure occurs on a rolling basis — no action needed. Pardon applications take 6–12+ months depending on Board caseload.

Clean Slate automatic erasures resumed in October 2025 after implementation delays. The state is still processing a backlog. Petition-based erasure timelines vary by court.

Effects of the relief

✓Police, court, and prosecutor records of the erased charge may not be disclosed (they are flagged for nondisclosure, not necessarily destroyed)
✓Person is legally deemed to have never been arrested for the erased offense
✓May swear under oath that the arrest or conviction never occurred
✓Employers cannot inquire about or discriminate based on erased records
✓Consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) are prohibited from disclosing erased records
✓Removes barriers to employment, housing, and professional licensing in Connecticut
✓May restore eligibility for state pistol permits (if underlying disqualification is erased)

Limits of the relief

✗Does NOT affect federal criminal records or FBI background checks
✗Does NOT prevent federal immigration authorities (USCIS) from accessing or considering the conviction
✗Does NOT erase convictions for family violence, sex offenses, or other excluded crimes
✗Does NOT reset the waiting period — all convictions must be outside the 7- or 10-year window
✗Does NOT guarantee notification — many people are unaware their records have been erased
✗Does NOT apply to convictions in other states — only Connecticut state records are erased

Other Relief Options in Connecticut

Absolute Pardon

Granted by the Board of Pardons and Paroles after 3 years (misdemeanor) or 5 years (felony) from disposition. Results in complete erasure of the conviction. Apply through the ePardon Portal at ct.gov/bopp.

Certificate of Employability (Provisional Pardon)

Available before pardon eligibility is reached. An official state document that makes it illegal for employers to deny employment solely based on your criminal record. Does not erase the conviction but protects against employment and licensing discrimination.

Cannabis Erasure

Separate track for cannabis-related convictions. Possession of 4 oz or less (§ 21a-279(c)) from 2000–2015 was automatically erased on January 1, 2023. Other cannabis convictions may be erased by petition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between erasure and expungement in Connecticut?: Connecticut uses the term "erasure" rather than expungement. When a record is erased in Connecticut, police, court, and prosecutor records of the charge may not be disclosed to others; the records are flagged for nondisclosure rather than necessarily destroyed (you can ask the clerk to physically destroy them after three years). The person is legally deemed to have never been arrested and may swear so under oath. This is governed by Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a.
How does Connecticut's Clean Slate law work?: Connecticut's Clean Slate Act (Public Act 21-32, signed in 2021) automatically erases most misdemeanor convictions after 7 years and eligible Class D/E felony convictions after 10 years, provided the person completed their sentence and remained conviction-free. Eligible convictions for offenses committed on or after January 1, 2000 are erased automatically. Eligible convictions for offenses committed before January 1, 2000 require a court petition using form JD-CR-202. The automated system was paused after data errors in 2024–2025; the state reports erasures have resumed.
What crimes are NOT eligible for erasure under Clean Slate in Connecticut?: Family violence crimes, sex offenses (both nonviolent and violent), certain assaults (second and third degree), strangulation, stalking in the first degree, burglary with a firearm, weapons-related offenses, enticement of minors, child exploitation offenses, and a second DUI within 10 years are all excluded from Clean Slate erasure.
How much does it cost to get a record erased in Connecticut?: There is no filing fee for a Clean Slate erasure petition (form JD-CR-202), and no fee to apply for a pardon from the Board of Pardons and Paroles. However, obtaining your criminal history record from DESPP costs $75. If you hire an attorney to help with a pardon application, expect to pay $500–$2,000. Legal aid organizations offer free assistance.
How do I know if my record was automatically erased under Clean Slate?: Connecticut currently has no system to notify residents when their records are erased. You can check by requesting your criminal history record from DESPP for $75. If your eligible conviction was imposed after January 1, 2000, and it has been 7+ years (misdemeanor) or 10+ years (felony) since your most recent conviction with your sentence completed, it should have been automatically erased. If it was not, you can submit a hearing request to DESPP.
What is the difference between an Absolute Pardon and a Certificate of Employability?: An Absolute Pardon results in erasure of your Connecticut adult criminal convictions — the records are flagged for nondisclosure (not necessarily destroyed) and you are deemed never to have been arrested for the erased proceedings. A Certificate of Employability (also called a Provisional Pardon) does not erase your record but makes it illegal for employers to deny you a job solely because of your criminal history. The Certificate is available sooner and can serve as a bridge while you wait to qualify for a full pardon.
Can I get a job after erasure in Connecticut?: Yes. After erasure, you may legally answer 'no' when asked about criminal history on job applications. Connecticut law prohibits employers from inquiring about erased records, and consumer reporting agencies cannot disclose them. You may also swear under oath that you were never arrested for the erased offense. Employers who violate these rules can face legal consequences.
Does Connecticut erasure affect federal background checks or immigration?: Connecticut erasure removes records from state databases, but it does not affect federal records. The FBI may still have a record of your arrest or conviction. Federal immigration authorities (USCIS) are not bound by state erasure laws and may still access and consider erased convictions when evaluating immigration applications. You must still disclose erased convictions if asked by federal authorities.

Take Action — Direct Links

Download Clean Slate Erasure Petition (Form JD-CR-202)
Official Connecticut Judicial Branch petition form for Clean Slate erasure of convictions for offenses committed before 2000. Swear under oath, sign before a notary, and file at the court where you were sentenced.
Request Your Criminal Record (DESPP)
Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) State Police Bureau of Identification page for requesting your criminal history record ($75 fee).
Find Free Legal Help (Statewide Legal Services)
Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut provides free legal advice to low-income residents, including assistance with criminal record erasure. Call 1-800-453-3320 or apply online.
Clean Slate Connecticut Portal
Official Connecticut Clean Slate portal with eligibility checker, information on automatic erasure, petition instructions for offenses committed before 2000, and cannabis erasure guidance.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a — Full Statute Text
Official full text of Chapter 961a (Criminal Records) of the Connecticut General Statutes on the Connecticut General Assembly website, including § 54-142a (erasure of criminal records).