Massachusetts Expeal Guide

Note: The links and statutes were last checked on February 2, 2026. If you're looking at this after that date, please check yourself to make sure everything is still accurate.

Massachusetts allows for the sealing and expunging of certain records via petition.

Statutes

The following statutes govern the Expeal process in Massachusetts:

• Section 100A: Requests to seal files; conditions; application of section; effect of sealing of records
• Section 100B: Requests to seal delinquency files or records; conditions; sealing by commissioner; notice for compliance; effect of sealing; limited disclosure.
• Section 100C: Sealing of records or files in certain criminal cases; effect upon employment reports; enforcement
• Section 100D: Availability of sealed criminal record information
• Section 100E: Definitions applicable to Secs. 100E through 100U
• Section 100F: Petition for expungement of record as adjudicated delinquent or youthful offender
• Section 100G: Petition for expungement of record of conviction
• Section 100H: Petition for expungement of record without adjudication as delinquent or youthful offender or conviction
• Section 100I: Certification of eligibility for expungement
• Section 100J: Offenses excluded from eligibility of record for expungement
• Section 100K: Expungement of record resulting from false identification, an offense no longer a crime at time of expungement, error or fraud
• Section 100K 1/4: Expungement of record resulting from certain possession or cultivation of marijuana offenses
• Section 100L: Duty of clerk of court and commissioner of criminal justice information to expunge court records and police logs upon order issued pursuant to Secs. 100F, 100G, 100H or 100K
• Section 100M: Failure to acknowledge expunged record as basis for perjury or false statement
• Section 100N: Employment applications and trade or professional licensures; effect of expunged records
• Section 100O: Petitions for expungement and related records excluded as public records
• Section 100P: Exclusion of general public from proceedings relating to petition for expungement
• Section 100Q: Sealed or expunged records not to be available for inspection
• Section 100R: Waiver of right to expunge as condition of plea deal
• Section 100S: Negligence claims; employers and landlords presumed to have no notice of seal, expunged or otherwise protected records
• Section 100T: Notice of sealed and expunged records to Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Department of Justice
• Section 100U: Administration and enforcement of Secs. 100E to 100T

Official Government Links

Agencies

The following pages are important for you to be familiar with as you go through the Expeal process:

• Massachusetts Court System's official page on sealing records.
• Massachusetts Court System's official page on expunging records.

Forms

The following links lead to official forms required for the Expeal process:

• Massachusetts Court System's official forms for sealing and expunging records.

Steps

Coming soon...