Iowa Expungement Laws 2026
Iowa expungement and record-sealing laws: eligibility, waiting periods, and how to clear a criminal record in Iowa.
Iowa allows certain criminal records to be cleared or sealed. The relief is called "Expungement", governed by Iowa Code § 901C.
At a glance
| Detail | Iowa |
|---|---|
| Relief available | Expungement |
| Statute | Iowa Code § 901C |
| Automatic clearing? | No — a court petition is required |
| Waiting period | Wait period set by offense class |
| Eligible records | Eligible misdemeanors and some simple misdemeanors |
| Process | File an application to expunge with the district court |
Who is eligible
Eligible misdemeanors and some simple misdemeanors.
How the process works
File an application to expunge with the district court.
Source and last verified
Statute: Iowa Code § 901C. Last verified: 2026-08-04. Laws change — confirm the current rule with the Iowa records authority before acting.
All 50 states
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
What is record clearing called in Iowa?
In Iowa, the relief is called "Expungement", governed by Iowa Code § 901C.
How long do I wait before clearing a record in Iowa?
Wait period set by offense class.
Who can clear a record in Iowa?
Eligible misdemeanors and some simple misdemeanors.
Does Iowa clear records automatically?
No — in Iowa you generally must file a petition and obtain a court order before a record is cleared.