Washington Expungement
Eligibility Checker

In Washington, a misdemeanor expungement requires a 3-year waiting period after completing your sentence, a $240 court filing fee, and — in most cases — no new criminal charges during that period. Qualifying felonies become eligible after 5 years.

Washington has also enacted automatic expungement for some qualifying records. The governing statute is RCW § 9.94A.640.

Washington uses 'vacation' for misdemeanors and 'sealing' for felonies. Class B felonies are eligible after 10 years; Class C after 5 years.

Washington's 2023 drug law changes created new pathways for drug offense sealing. Automatic vacation is available for certain misdemeanors.

Expunging a criminal record in Washington can open doors to employment, housing, professional licensing, and education — all of which background checks routinely flag. A single misdemeanor conviction can disqualify applicants from jobs, apartments, and professional licenses even decades after the offense.

Washington has enacted automatic expungement for certain qualifying records, meaning some individuals may already have records sealed without needing to file a petition. However, not all eligible records are automatically sealed — consulting with an attorney ensures you receive all relief you're entitled to.

Washington's 'vacation' (misdemeanor) and 'sealing' (felony) pathways differ procedurally — vacation is filed in District or Municipal Court while sealing is filed in Superior Court. Washington's ban-the-box law (SB 5488, 2018) covers all employers with 8+ employees and prohibits criminal history inquiry before a conditional offer.

Professional licensing reform (HB 1793, 2021) requires licensing boards to apply a direct nexus test. King County Superior Court (Seattle) has a dedicated expungement calendar; processing typically takes 60–90 days.

Columbia Legal Services and the Northwest Justice Project provide free expungement assistance; Washington LawHelp.org has state-specific self-help guides.

• To be eligible for expungement in Washington, you generally must: (1) have completed all terms of your sentence including probation and fines
• (2) wait 3 years after completing your sentence for misdemeanors and 5 years for qualifying felonies
• and (3) have no new criminal charges or convictions during the waiting period.

• Washington categorically excludes certain offenses from expungement eligibility. These typically include: sexual offenses and crimes requiring sex offender registration
• violent felonies
• crimes against children
• DUI/DWI convictions in most cases
• and offenses with mandatory minimum prison sentences.

Drug possession offenses are generally eligible for expungement in Washington after the waiting period, provided the offense was non-violent and the applicant has no disqualifying subsequent convictions.

The Washington expungement process typically involves: (1) obtaining your official court records and criminal history; (2) determining eligibility based on offense type, waiting period, and sentence completion; (3) completing the petition form and gathering supporting documents; (4) filing with the appropriate Washington court and paying the $240 filing fee; (5) serving notice on the prosecutor and law enforcement agencies; and (6) attending any scheduled hearing.

After filing, the prosecutor's office receives notice and has the opportunity to object. If no objection is filed and the judge finds you meet the criteria, the expungement order will be issued.

You will then need to follow up to ensure all agencies (police, state criminal records bureau, federal databases) have removed or sealed the record.

Processing times in Washington typically range from 2 to 6 months from filing to final order, depending on the court's docket and whether any objections are filed. Some jurisdictions in Washington move faster; busy urban courts may take longer.

Washington's expungement law seals records from public access, but some government agencies and law enforcement may retain access to sealed records. The practical effect is that standard background checks used by employers and landlords should not reveal expunged records.

Even after expungement in Washington, certain entities may still access the sealed records: federal law enforcement agencies (FBI, ICE), military background checks, applications for positions of public trust (security clearances), and certain professional licensing boards. Understand these limitations when deciding whether to invest in the expungement process.

For immigration purposes, an expunged conviction may still count as a "conviction" under federal immigration law, which uses its own definition. If you are not a U.S.

citizen, consult an immigration attorney before pursuing expungement, as it does not necessarily protect immigration status.

The court filing fee in Washington is $240. Additional costs to budget for include: certified copies of court records ($10–$50), criminal background check ($15–$30), postage and service fees for notifying agencies ($25–$75), and attorney fees if you hire legal representation.

Attorney fees for expungement in Washington typically range from $500 to $2,500 depending on the complexity of the case, number of charges, and whether a hearing is required. Many attorneys offer a flat fee for straightforward expungements.

Some legal aid organizations in Washington provide free or reduced-fee expungement services for qualifying income-eligible applicants.

DIY expungement is possible in Washington for simple cases — especially if your record involves only one charge and there are no complicating factors. Many Washington courts provide self-help forms.

However, any errors in the petition or service can delay or derail the case, so professional guidance is recommended.

After expungement in Washington, you may legally answer "no" on most job applications, rental applications, and professional license applications when asked if you have been convicted of a crime. This is a significant practical benefit that can immediately improve employment prospects.

Studies consistently show that expungement recipients in states like Washington experience significant wage increases and improved employment stability. A 2020 University of Michigan study found expungement recipients experienced 22% wage growth in the two years following expungement.

Expungement in Washington can also restore certain civil rights, restore eligibility for some government assistance programs, and improve professional licensing prospects. Find a Washington expungement attorney to confirm your eligibility and handle the petition — many offer flat fees for straightforward cases.

Expungement is often the final step after resolving a criminal case. If you are still navigating the case itself, the Washington Criminal Defense Cost Estimator breaks down attorney fees, bail bond costs, and total case expenses by charge severity.

For cases involving a DUI, the Washington DUI Penalty Calculator shows the fines, license suspension, and other consequences by offense number. And if you are checking whether the statute of limitations has expired on related charges, the Washington Statute of Limitations Lookup covers criminal and civil filing deadlines.