Minnesota Expungement Laws 2026
Minnesota expungement and record-sealing laws: eligibility, waiting periods, and how to clear a criminal record in Minnesota.
Minnesota allows certain criminal records to be cleared or sealed. The relief is called "Expungement", governed by Minn. Stat. § 609A.02.
Automatic record clearing in Minnesota
Yes — Minnesota clears or seals many eligible records automatically, without a separate petition. Minnesota expunges eligible records by petition and automatically seals some records under its 2023 record-clearing law.
At a glance
| Detail | Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Relief available | Expungement |
| Statute | Minn. Stat. § 609A.02 |
| Automatic clearing? | Yes — many eligible records clear automatically |
| Waiting period | Automatic for some; 2-5 years for petitions |
| Eligible records | Many misdemeanors and some felonies |
| Process | Automatic sealing of some records; petition for others |
Who is eligible
Many misdemeanors and some felonies.
How the process works
Automatic sealing of some records; petition for others.
Source and last verified
Statute: Minn. Stat. § 609A.02. Last verified: 2026-08-04. Laws change — confirm the current rule with the Minnesota records authority before acting.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is record clearing called in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, the relief is called "Expungement", governed by Minn. Stat. § 609A.02.
How long do I wait before clearing a record in Minnesota?
Automatic for some; 2-5 years for petitions.
Who can clear a record in Minnesota?
Many misdemeanors and some felonies.
Does Minnesota clear records automatically?
Yes — under Minnesota law, many eligible records are sealed or cleared automatically without a petition. Minnesota expunges eligible records by petition and automatically seals some records under its 2023 record-clearing law.