Record sealing hides a criminal record from public view. It gives you a fresh start without the burden of a past criminal charge affecting your future. Once sealed, the record no longer appears on background checks for most jobs, housing applications, and professional licenses. In many cases, you can legally state that the offense never happened. Sealing is one of the most thorough record-clearing options in Arizona.
When a court grants an order to seal a record, it tells:
- Law enforcement
- Court systems
- Background check companies
to restrict access to the record, making it invisible to the general public. You can also check the box saying you do not have a record on employment and housing applications. This helps individuals qualify for more opportunities and lets them rebuild their lives without barriers.
Important Considerations
While record sealing removes the charge from public records, some agencies still have access to it. Examples of these groups are: law enforcement agencies, the courts, and some government bodies. Additionally, record sealing may not completely hide a record for federal jobs or security clearances. However, normal background checks that are not related to security clearance, like the ones used for housing, private sector employment, or professional licensing will not have access to the sealed record.
Find Out If You Qualify for Record Sealing
Arizona law allows record sealing for many offenses, but eligibility depends on the type of crime and the time that has passed since the sentence was completed. Not sure if you qualify? Rasa’s eligibility tool makes it easy to check. If you’re eligible, our legal team will handle the entire sealing process so you don’t have to navigate the legal system alone. Check your eligibility today and take the first step toward sealing your record.
Key Benefits of Record Sealing
- Better Job Opportunities – Most employers will no longer see the sealed record on background checks.
- Increased Housing Access – Landlords cannot use a sealed record as a reason to deny a rental application.
- More Professional Opportunities – Opportunities for licensing, employment, and promotion are all easier to get without a record.
Rasa’s Arizona Record Sealing Process
Sealing a criminal record in Arizona is a complicated process. While it can take time, sealing your record can improve your life in a lot of ways. Below, you will find the way Rasa can help you seal your record.
Step 1: File a Petition
The first step in sealing a record is having Rasa submit a petition to the court where the case was originally handled. This petition has:
- Your personal information (name, date of birth, case details)
- The specific charge(s) you want sealed
- Documentation of your record and crimes, and
- A statement of the circumstances surrounding the crime(s) and how you are in a different place now.
Once your petition has been filed, you can move on to the rest of the process.
Step 2: Waiting Period
Once your petition is filed with the courts, you must wait at least 60 days. During those 60 days the judge will have the Department of Public Safety do a background check on you to confirm the information in the petition and confirm you are eligible to seal your record.
From there the court will notify the prosecutor about the petition. The prosecutor is given the opportunity to object, in which case a hearing might be called. If the prosecutor does not object or respond to the petition within 60 days, the sealing process will proceed.
Step 3: If an Objection is Received
If a prosecutor or someone else involved in the case objects, there are three options that you can choose from:
- You can choose to leave things as they are and let the judge review your petition and the State's objection, then rule on the petitions as they are; or
- You can hire Rasa Legal to file a response and ask the court for a hearing, where we will represent you and ask the court to rule in your favor over the State's objection. We charge $500 per case to represent you in drafting a reply to the State’s objection and at the hearing where we present evidence showing why your record should be sealed. At the hearing, a judge will decide whether sealing the record is in your best interest and/or the best interest of the public’s safety;
- A third option is that you can have Rasa Legal withdraw as counsel, and file what is called a pro per motion, which basically means you decide to represent yourself at any hearing and file a motion on your own behalf.
Step 4: Record Sealing Order Issued
If the court approves your petition, it sends out a Record Sealing Order. This legally requires agencies to:
- Hide your record from the public
- Take the record out of background check databases
- Make sure the charge no longer affects employment, housing, or licensing opportunities
Once sealed, the public can’t see your record.
If your sealing petition is denied by the court, it is not the end. You will have to wait 3 years before you can try to seal it again, but you can try again.
Let Rasa Legal Handle the Process for You
While the Arizona Record Sealing process might seem overwhelming, Rasa makes it easy and understandable. We offer an eligibility tool to quickly determine if you qualify for record sealing. If you do qualify, and decide you would like to use Rasa for the record sealing process, we handle the process for you in a cheap and quick way.
Find Out If You Qualify for Record Sealing
Arizona law allows record sealing for many offenses, but eligibility depends on the type of crime and the time that has passed since the sentence was completed. Not sure if you qualify? Rasa’s eligibility tool makes it easy to check. If you’re eligible, our legal team will handle the entire sealing process so you don’t have to navigate the legal system alone. Check your eligibility today and take the first step toward sealing your record.
Key Benefits of Record Sealing
- Better Job Opportunities – Most employers will no longer see the sealed record on background checks.
- Increased Housing Access – Landlords cannot use a sealed record as a reason to deny a rental application.
- More Professional Opportunities – Opportunities for licensing, employment, and promotion are all easier to get without a record.
Who Qualifies for Record Sealing in Arizona?
Not all criminal records can be sealed in Arizona. The state has strict eligibility rules based on the type of offense and the amount of time that has passed since sentence completion.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
To apply for record sealing in Arizona, you must:
- Have fully completed your sentence
- Have paid all fines, fees, and restitution related to the case
- Wait the required amount of time based on the type of conviction
If you have done all of this, you might be eligible to have your record sealed.
Additionally, certain offenses cannot be sealed under Arizona law, including:
- Violent crimes
- Sex offenses that require registration
- Serious felonies that pose a risk to public safety
If your charge falls into one of these categories, other legal options may be a better fit. If you are ineligible for record sealing, click here for alternative Arizona remedies.
Waiting Periods for Record Sealing
Arizona requires a specific waiting period after sentence completion before a record can be sealed:
- 10 years – Class 2 or Class 3 felonies
- 5 years – Class 4, Class 5, or Class 6 felonies
- 3 years – Class 1 misdemeanors
- 2 years – Class 2 or Class 3 misdemeanors
Unlike some states, Arizona does not limit what can be sealed based on the entire record. Even if you have multiple past convictions, you may still qualify for record sealing. Additionally, you are able to seal records as they become eligible.
Move Forward with Record Sealing
Your past should not define your future. If a criminal record is holding you back, sealing it can open doors to better jobs, housing, and new opportunities. Arizona law allows many people to seal their records, but you have to take action to make it happen.
Why Seal Your Record Now?
A criminal record can make life harder than it needs to be. Even if your charge is years old, it may still show up on background checks, creating unnecessary barriers. Sealing your record can:
- Improve job opportunities – Employers won’t see sealed records on most background checks.
- Increase housing options – Landlords can’t deny your application based on a sealed record.
- Make licensing and education easier – Professional certification boards often consider criminal history, but sealed records won’t count against you.
- Give you peace of mind – Live your life without worrying about past mistakes affecting your future.
Click here for more stories and information on how clearing a record can change your life.
Start the Record Sealing Process Today
Even if you qualify, your record will not be sealed automatically. Mistakes in the process can lead to delays or even a denial. That’s why working with a team can make a big difference. Rasa Legal makes the process simple, affordable, and stress-free.
We provide:
- An eligibility tool to quickly determine if you qualify
- Full support to handle your petition and court filings
- Information on options and processes for you
Don’t let an old charge hold you back any longer. Check your eligibility today and take the first step toward sealing your record!
