Iowa (IA) — Expungement & Record Clearing
Iowa has limited expungement options — felony convictions cannot be expunged. Under Iowa Code Chapter 901C, you may expunge one qualifying misdemeanor conviction per lifetime after an 8-year waiting period with no filing fee. Acquittals and dismissed charges can be expunged after 180 days. Deferred judgments are automatically expunged upon completion of probation (§ 907.9). Public intoxication and minor-in-possession convictions are eligible after 2 years. OWI, domestic abuse, sex offenses, and weapons charges are not eligible. Expunged records are removed from public background checks but remain accessible to law enforcement. For felonies, a Governor's Pardon is the only relief option. Below is the full guide with eligibility, step-by-step process, costs, timeline, and FAQ.
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Overview
Iowa has very limited expungement options. Felony convictions cannot be expunged. Under Iowa Code Chapter 901C, a person may expunge one qualifying misdemeanor conviction in their lifetime after an 8-year waiting period. Acquittals and dismissed charges can be expunged after 180 days. Deferred judgments are automatically expunged upon successful completion of probation under Iowa Code § 907.9. Public intoxication and minor in possession of alcohol convictions can be expunged after 2 years with no new criminal convictions.
Official term: Expungement (Iowa Code Chapter 901C) — In Iowa, expungement and sealing mean the same thing — the record is removed from public access but is not destroyed. Law enforcement and the courts can still access expunged records.
Who qualifies
- ✓One qualifying misdemeanor conviction per lifetime (after 8-year waiting period)
- ✓Acquittals (not-guilty verdicts) on all charges in a case (after 180 days)
- ✓Dismissed criminal charges (after 180 days)
- ✓Completed deferred judgments (automatic upon probation completion under § 907.9)
- ✓Public intoxication convictions under § 123.46 (after 2 years with no new convictions)
- ✓Minor in possession of alcohol convictions under § 123.47 (after 2 years with no new convictions)
Who does not qualify
- ✗All felony convictions — Iowa does not allow felony expungement
- ✗OWI / Operating While Intoxicated (§ 321J.2)
- ✗Domestic abuse assault (§ 708.2A)
- ✗Sex offenses requiring registration (§ 692A.101)
- ✗Stalking (§ 708.11) and harassment (§ 708.7)
- ✗Involuntary manslaughter (§ 707.5)
- ✗Weapons offenses (Chapter 724)
- ✗Offenses against family and dependents (Chapter 726)
- ✗Obscenity offenses (Chapter 728)
- ✗Assault causing bodily injury or mental illness (§ 708.2(3))
- ✗Persons who have already used their one-time misdemeanor expungement
- ✗Persons previously granted two or more deferred judgments (for 901C.3 relief)
Waiting Periods
| Misdemeanor conviction (901C.3) | 8 years after date of conviction |
| Acquittal (not-guilty verdict) | 180 days after judgment (waivable for good cause) |
| Dismissed charges | 180 days after dismissal order (waivable for good cause) |
| Deferred judgment (§ 907.9) | Automatic upon successful completion of probation |
| Public intoxication (§ 123.46) | 2 years after conviction with no new criminal convictions |
| Minor in possession of alcohol (§ 123.47) | 2 years after conviction with no new criminal convictions |
Step-by-Step Process
Determine eligibility
Confirm your conviction type qualifies under Iowa Code Chapter 901C. Misdemeanor expungement requires 8+ years since conviction, no pending charges, fewer than two prior deferred judgments, and all financial obligations paid. Felonies are not eligible.
Obtain your criminal records
Request a copy of your criminal history from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) for $15. Identify the case number(s) for the conviction(s) you want to expunge.
Complete the expungement application
Download the appropriate application form from the Iowa Judicial Branch website (iowacourts.gov). Different forms exist for dismissed charges, public intoxication, minor in possession, and misdemeanor convictions.
File the application with the court
Submit your completed application to the district court where your case was heard. You can file electronically through Iowa's eFile system or by mail. There is no filing fee for expungement applications.
County attorney review
Provide a copy of your application to the county attorney. The county attorney may file an objection. If no objection is filed, the court may rule on the application without a hearing.
Receive the court order
A judge reviews your application and issues an order. If granted, your record is removed from public access. The expunged record remains accessible to law enforcement and criminal justice agencies.
Visual Guide
Automatic Expungement of Deferred Judgments (§ 907.9)
Iowa provides automatic expungement for completed deferred judgments under Iowa Code § 907.9. Any deferred judgment completed after July 1, 2013 should be automatically expunged upon successful completion of probation and payment of all financial obligations.
| Scenario | Sealed When |
|---|---|
| Deferred judgment completed after July 1, 2013 | Automatic upon probation completion and payment of all costs |
| Deferred judgment in rural/unsupervised probation county | May require filing a motion and proposed order after completing probation |
| Dismissed counts related to a deferred judgment | Expunged along with the deferred judgment record |
Costs
- Filing fee
- No filing fee for expungement applications
- Fee waiver
- Not applicable — there is no filing fee
- Attorney (optional)
- $450 typical flat fee (optional but recommended for complex cases)
All court costs, fines, restitution, and financial obligations from the original case must be paid in full before expungement is granted. A DCI criminal records check costs $15.
Timeline
- With attorney
- 1–3 months
- Standard
- 2–6 months
Timeline varies by county and case complexity. Uncontested applications may be resolved faster. The county attorney may object and request a hearing, which extends the timeline.
What expungement does
- ✓Removes the conviction from public court records
- ✓Expunged records will not appear on standard background checks
- ✓Allows you to legally answer 'no' when asked about misdemeanor convictions by employers
- ✓Prevents background check agencies from disclosing the expunged record without a court order
- ✓Removes barriers to housing, employment, and educational opportunities
What expungement does NOT do
- ✗Does NOT destroy the record — law enforcement and courts retain access
- ✗Does NOT apply to felony convictions (no felony expungement in Iowa)
- ✗Does NOT restore firearm rights (a Governor's Pardon is required)
- ✗Does NOT prevent disclosure for jobs requiring security clearances or certain licenses
- ✗Does NOT remove sex offender registration requirements
- ✗Does NOT prevent the record from being used in future criminal sentencing decisions
- ✗Prior OWI convictions still count for sentencing enhancement even if other records are expunged
Other Relief Options in Iowa
Governor's Pardon
Restores all rights lost due to conviction, including voting, holding public office, and possessing firearms. Requires at least 10 years after sentence discharge. Applied for through the Iowa Board of Parole; the process can take up to 2 years. Does not erase or expunge the conviction record.
Restoration of Citizenship Rights
Restores voting rights and the right to hold public office. Iowa's Governor restored automatic voting rights restoration upon completion of sentence via executive order.
Special Restoration of Citizenship (Firearm Rights)
Restores firearm rights for persons convicted of non-forcible felonies or other qualifying offenses. Available 5 years after sentence discharge. Applied for through the Iowa Board of Parole.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can a felony be expunged in Iowa?
- No. Iowa does not allow expungement of felony convictions under any circumstance. The only post-conviction relief available for felonies is a Governor's Pardon, which restores rights but does not erase the conviction record. Felony deferred judgments, however, are automatically expunged upon successful completion of probation under Iowa Code § 907.9.
- How much does expungement cost in Iowa?
- There is no filing fee for expungement applications in Iowa. However, you must have paid all court costs, fines, restitution, and financial obligations from the original case before you can apply. A criminal records check from the DCI costs $15. If you hire an attorney, expect around $450 for a flat fee. Iowa Legal Aid offers free assistance to qualifying low-income individuals.
- How long do I have to wait to expunge a misdemeanor in Iowa?
- For a misdemeanor conviction under Iowa Code § 901C.3, you must wait at least 8 years from the date of conviction. For public intoxication or minor in possession of alcohol, the waiting period is 2 years. For acquittals and dismissed charges, the waiting period is 180 days. Deferred judgments are eligible for automatic expungement immediately upon completion of probation.
- How many times can I use Iowa's misdemeanor expungement?
- Iowa's misdemeanor conviction expungement under § 901C.3 is limited to one time per lifetime. You may only expunge one qualifying misdemeanor conviction. However, there is no limit on expunging acquittals, dismissed charges, or completed deferred judgments.
- What is a deferred judgment and can it be expunged in Iowa?
- A deferred judgment is when a court accepts your guilty plea but defers entering a conviction, placing you on probation instead. Upon successful completion of probation and payment of all financial obligations, the deferred judgment is automatically expunged under Iowa Code § 907.9. Any deferred judgment completed after July 1, 2013 should be expunged automatically. In some rural counties with unsupervised probation, you may need to file a motion to trigger the expungement.
- Will an expunged record show up on a background check in Iowa?
- No. Expunged records are removed from public access and will not appear on standard background checks. It is illegal for background check agencies to disclose sealed records without a court order. However, law enforcement and criminal justice agencies can still access expunged records, and some employers requiring security clearances or certain licenses may require you to disclose the information.
- Can I expunge an OWI or domestic abuse conviction in Iowa?
- No. OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) convictions under § 321J.2 and domestic abuse assault convictions under § 708.2A are specifically excluded from expungement under Iowa Code § 901C.3. There is no mechanism to expunge these convictions in Iowa. A Governor's Pardon is the only form of post-conviction relief available for these offenses.
Video Guides
Take Action — Direct Links
- Court petition/form
Iowa Judicial Branch — Expunge Court Record Forms (Document Library). Includes Form 1 (acquittals/dismissals under § 901C.2), Form 2 (misdemeanor convictions under § 901C.3), and forms for public intoxication, minor in possession, and prostitution expungement.
- Criminal record request
Iowa DCI — Criminal History Record Check Information. Request your own Iowa criminal history for $15 online, by mail, fax, or in person at 215 East 7th St, Des Moines. Walk-in hours Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4 PM.
- Free legal aid
Iowa Legal Aid — Can I Expunge My Adult Criminal Conviction? Eligibility guide and free legal assistance for low-income Iowans. Call 1-800-532-1275 Monday–Friday to apply for help.
- Court self-help center
Iowa Judicial Branch — Court Forms. Official forms page including expungement applications, interactive court forms for self-represented litigants, and eFile instructions.
- Statute full text
Iowa Code Chapter 901C — Expungement of Criminal Records (full text PDF from the Iowa Legislature). Covers definitions, acquittal/dismissal expungement, and misdemeanor expungement eligibility.
Sources
- Iowa Code Chapter 901C — Expungement of Criminal Records
- Iowa Code § 901C.3 — Misdemeanor Expungement
- Iowa Code § 901C.2 — Acquittals and Dismissals
- Iowa Code § 907.9 — Deferred Judgment Expungement
- Iowa Legal Aid — Can I Expunge My Adult Criminal Conviction?
- Iowa Judicial Branch — Expungement Forms
- Governor's Office — Pardons & Commutations