District of Columbia Expeal Guide
Note: The links and statutes were last checked on March 2, 2026. If you're looking at this after that date, please check yourself to make sure everything is still accurate.
D.C. automatically cleans certain misdemeanor and felony arrest records or convictions; where a person has a record that doesn't qualify for the automated process, D.C. allows for the use of a petition and the potential need for a hearing.
Aspects of the process that are unique to the state include:
- D.C. passed a Clean Slate bill that automates the sealing of certain records as soon as they qualify.
- D.C.'s automated process is not yet operational and is aiming to have everything in place by October 1, 2027.
- D.C. allows for both expunging or sealing of records, depending on the circumstances.
Expeal Ranking
D.C.'s Expeal ranking is 13 out of 15, or an A-.
This is based on the average of the following scores:
| Metric | Misdemeanor - Arrest | Misdemeanor - Conviction | Felony - Arrest | Felony - Conviction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean Slate | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Expeal | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Tasks | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Wait | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Cost | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 15 | 11 | 15 | 11 |
The metrics are defined as follows:
- Clean Slate: 3 if implemented; 2 if proposed or in the process of being implemented; 1 if being discussed; 0 if nothing
- Expeal: 3 if records are erased or destroyed; 2 if records are hidden but still exist; 1 if records are given a notation or some other form of reduction; 0 if nothing or if it requires a pardon or something similar before becoming available
- Tasks: 3 if application alone or automatic; 2 if straightforward court or administrative engagement required; 1 if administrative engagement required before straightforward court; 0 if convincing required
- Wait: 3 if immediate to 1 year; 2 if 1 to 3 years; 1 if 3 years to 5 years; 0 if > 5 years or intermediate step before tolling
- Cost: 3 if < $50; 2 if $50.01 to $250; 1 if $250.01 to $500; 0 if > $500.01
Steps
Below are the five phases that take you through the Expeal process in D.C. if you don't qualify for the automatic process. Remember: If you have to mail anything, remember to keep a copy of whatever you send and to use a method with a tracking number like the $10.30 USPS Flat Rate Envelope.
Phase 1: Verifying you Qualify
- Step 1: Request your Record. Schedule an appointment with the Metropolitan Police Department, complete the application, include a copy of your fingerprints if necessary, and email in the request for an official copy of your criminal history record. Cost: There is a record request fee of $7.00.
- Step 2: Review your Record. Confirm there is no disqualifying information in your history. If there is something incorrect, follow the process to challenge the issue. If everything is accurate, make a copy for your file and keep the original somewhere safe.
Phase 2: Collecting your Documents
- Step 3: Request Certified Documents. Collect certified copies of relevant documents. This include a copy of the disposition of the case from the clerk of court that handled the original case and the arrest record from the arresting agency. If you had probation or parole, had to take classes, had to pay fees, or had any other obligations, you need to get a certified copy of whatever proves you completed the requirements as well. Cost: Varies based on agency, but a good baseline is the fees from the clerk of court, which charges $5.00 to certify a document and up to $0.50 for every page that needs to be photocopied.
- Step 4: Verify the Final Documents. This may seem obvious, but there have been enough instances of wrong information, missing signatures, or other issues that it is absolutely worth spending the time to review each document you've received and making sure it is both certified and clearly shows you have completed whatever you were required to do. Make sure you make copies of each original file.
Phase 3: Completing the Petition
- Step 5: Prepare your Petition. Complete the petition based on the type of charge and outcome you are seeking. Among other requirements, there are timing restrictions to note: certain misdemeanor convictions require five years to pass, others require eight years, and certain felony convictions require ten years to pass.
- Step 6: Finalize your Petition. Take the completed petition from Step 5, the documents collected in Step 3, and the background check from Step 2, and put them together in a complete package. Double-check every file in the package is the original and ensure you have a copy of the complete package for your personal file.
Phase 4: Final Steps
- Step 7: File your Expeal Request. File the petition with the court that handled the case.
- Step 8: Work with the Court. After confirming the files have been received by the court, wait to hear how they want to proceed in terms of a hearing or otherwise.
Phase 5: Celebrate!
- Step 9: Enjoy your Second Chance! Begin the next chapter in your life with the legal ability to say you were never even arrested for the charges you just cleared! While we understand you won't want to tell people you used Expeal, we do hope you'll recommend us when you hear about someone who could use the service. Best of luck with everything!
Statutes
The following statutes govern the Expeal process in D.C.:
Official Government Links
Agencies
The following pages are important for you to be familiar with as you go through the Expeal process:
Forms
The following links lead to official forms required for the Expeal process:
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