Expungement Cost Calculator — 2026 Record Clearing Fee Estimator
Get a 2026 estimate for expungement attorney fees by record type and region — then compare local attorney consultations for your state.
Record Type
Representation
Location
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Disclaimer: This calculator provides fee estimates only. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Attorney fees vary widely by jurisdiction, case complexity, specialization, and experience. Some services may be offered on contingency, flat-fee, or hourly basis — this calculator estimates typical ranges, not specific quotes. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for advice specific to your situation. Emergency legal matters, class-action settlements, and pro-bono eligibility are outside the scope of this estimate. Licensing rules differ by jurisdiction and practice area; nothing here should be construed as a recommendation of any particular attorney or firm.
Did You Know?
Expungement costs in 2026 run $500–$1,800 for a single misdemeanor (attorney fee plus court filing) and $1,200–$3,500 for a felony. DIY self-filing costs only $100–$500 in court fees but requires precise completion of state petition forms — dismissal rates are significantly higher without attorney representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q
How much does expungement cost in 2026?
Expungement costs in 2026 range from $500 to $1,800 for a single misdemeanor (attorney fee plus court filing fee) and $1,200 to $3,500 for a single felony conviction. Multiple-charge petitions can reach $5,500 with attorney fees and filing costs combined. Juvenile record clearing is typically the most affordable option, running $400 to $1,300 with attorney representation. DIY self-filing costs only the court filing fee of $100 to $500 per petition but carries significantly higher dismissal risk due to procedural complexity.
Misdemeanor expungement with attorney: $500–$1,800 (attorney fee plus court filing fee)
Felony expungement with attorney: $1,200–$3,500 (attorney fee plus court filing fee)
Multiple charges with attorney: $1,700–$5,500 (higher complexity plus additional petition filing fees)
Juvenile record clearing with attorney: $400–$1,300
What is the difference between expungement and record sealing?
Expungement and record sealing are two distinct legal remedies for limiting public access to a criminal record. Expungement destroys or erases the record from public databases — in many states you may legally answer 'no' on job applications when asked about prior arrests or convictions. Record sealing does not erase the record but blocks most members of the public from viewing it; law enforcement and certain government agencies can still access sealed records. Costs are similar, but the legal effect differs significantly by state.
Expungement: record destroyed or erased; you may deny it legally on most private applications
Record sealing: record hidden from public view but remains accessible to law enforcement
Eligibility rules for each remedy differ by state — not all states offer true expungement
Cost to seal vs. expunge is typically similar ($400–$3,000+ with attorney) in states offering both
Federal convictions cannot be expunged under current US law; state convictions vary widely by offense
Factor
Expungement
Record Sealing
Public visibility
Erased from public databases
Hidden but record not destroyed
Law enforcement access
Varies by state — often accessible
Usually accessible
Job application disclosure
Legally deniable in most states
State-dependent
Federal convictions
Not available
Not available
Typical cost with attorney
$500–$3,500
$400–$3,000
Q
Can I expunge my record without a lawyer to save money?
Yes, DIY expungement is legal in most states and costs only the court filing fee of $100 to $500. However, success rates for self-represented petitioners are significantly lower than for those with attorney representation. Common mistakes include filing in the wrong court, missing the applicable waiting period, incomplete documentation of all conviction details, and errors in the legal description of the charge being cleared. A dismissed petition typically results in a mandatory waiting period before you can re-file, adding months to the process.
DIY filing fee: $100–$500 per petition paid to the court; no attorney cost
Petition dismissal rates are significantly higher for self-represented petitioners
Errors in eligibility assessment — filing for an ineligible offense — waste filing fees entirely
Re-filing after dismissal often requires a waiting period of 6 months to 2 years by state
Legal aid organizations provide free or low-cost expungement help for income-qualifying individuals
Q
Do expungement attorney fees vary by state?
Yes — expungement attorney fees vary significantly by state and regional labor market. States with more complex eligibility rules and multi-step petition processes, such as California, Texas, and New York, tend to have higher attorney fees because more work is required per case. States with streamlined or automatic expungement laws reduce attorney involvement and therefore cost. High-cost metros such as New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago run 20 to 40 percent above national averages.
High-cost metros (NYC, LA, SF): 20–40% above the national average for expungement attorney fees
Midwest and South markets: typically at or below the national average
California expungement (Penal Code 1203.4): $800–$2,500 with attorney due to detailed petition requirements
Texas nondisclosure petition: $1,000–$3,000 with attorney (Texas does not offer true expungement for most adult convictions)
Streamlined-law states (PA, CT, OR) with automatic expungement: attorney fees often $200–$800
Region
Misdemeanor Attorney Fee
Felony Attorney Fee
Court Filing Fee
High-cost metro (NYC, LA, SF)
$600–$1,800
$1,200–$3,600
$150–$500
National average
$400–$1,500
$1,000–$3,000
$100–$500
Midwest / South
$300–$1,200
$800–$2,500
$100–$400
Streamlined-law states (PA, CT)
$200–$800
$600–$1,800
$75–$250
Q
What types of criminal records can be expunged?
Eligibility for expungement depends almost entirely on state law and typically requires the completion of any sentence including probation, payment of all fines, and a waiting period after the conviction date. Misdemeanors are eligible in most states; felony eligibility is more restricted but available in many states for nonviolent offenses. Arrests that did not result in conviction are frequently eligible immediately. Certain charges are categorically excluded — including sex offenses requiring registration, violent felonies, and most DUI offenses — in the majority of states.
Non-conviction arrests: typically eligible immediately in most states with no waiting period
Misdemeanor convictions: eligible after 1–5 years post-sentence in most states
Non-violent felony convictions: eligible after 3–10 years in states that allow felony expungement
Sex offenses requiring registration: ineligible in nearly all states
DUI/DWI convictions: ineligible or heavily restricted in most states
Record Category
Typical Eligibility
Typical Waiting Period
Non-conviction arrest
Eligible in most states
None or 6–12 months
Misdemeanor conviction
Eligible in most states
1–5 years post-sentence
Non-violent felony
Eligible in many states
3–10 years post-sentence
Violent felony
Ineligible in most states
N/A
Sex offense (registration required)
Ineligible in nearly all states
N/A
DUI / DWI
Restricted or ineligible
5–10 years where allowed
Example Calculations
1Misdemeanor, attorney representation (Midwest)
Inputs
Record typeMisdemeanor
RepresentationAttorney (hire a lawyer)
RegionMidwest
Result
Estimated total cost$500 – $1,800
Attorney fee (base × 1.0)$400 – $1,500
Court filing fee (addon)$100 – $300
A single misdemeanor in a mid-cost market with standard attorney representation applies the $400–$1,500 misdemeanor base at the 1.0 attorney multiplier, plus a $100–$300 court filing fee addon, yielding a $500–$1,800 total estimate.
A single felony conviction with attorney representation applies the $1,000–$3,000 felony base at the 1.0 attorney multiplier, plus a $200–$500 court filing fee addon, yielding a $1,200–$3,500 total estimate at national average rates.
DIY self-representation applies the 0.25 multiplier to the $400–$1,500 misdemeanor base, yielding $100–$375, plus the $100–$300 court filing fee addon, for a $200–$675 total. The 0.25 multiplier reflects that DIY costs consist primarily of out-of-pocket court fees with no attorney labor.
The total expungement cost combines the attorney fee scaled for representation type with the court filing fee addon. When self-representing, the 0.25 multiplier approximates the court-only out-of-pocket cost relative to the typical attorney fee baseline.
DIY cost = Court filing fee only ($100–$500 per petition)
When filing without an attorney, the only mandatory cost is the court filing fee paid at the time of petition submission. No attorney fee applies, but success rates are lower due to procedural complexity and state-specific eligibility requirements.
Where:
Court filing fee= Paid directly to the court per petition: $100–$300 for misdemeanor or juvenile; $200–$500 for felony or multiple charges
Attorney fee= $0 for DIY filers — self-preparation saves money but carries elevated dismissal risk
Expungement Costs in 2026: Attorney Fees and Filing Costs by Record Type
1
What It Costs to Expunge a Criminal Record in 2026
The figures in this calculator are informational estimates based on 2026 US market data and should not be treated as quotes or legal advice — actual costs depend heavily on your state, your attorney's experience, and the specific charges on your record, as described in the disclaimer at the top of this page. With that context established, here is what the national data shows: expunging a single misdemeanor conviction with an attorney in 2026 typically costs between $500 and $1,800 all-in, combining an attorney fee of $400 to $1,500 with a court filing fee of $100 to $300. A single felony expungement with attorney representation runs $1,200 to $3,500 — a $1,000 to $3,000 attorney fee plus a $200 to $500 court filing fee. These are the two most common scenarios and account for the majority of expungement petitions filed in the United States each year.
For individuals clearing multiple charges in a single petition, costs rise to $1,700 to $5,500 with attorney representation, reflecting the additional complexity of reviewing multiple convictions for eligibility and preparing a more involved petition. Juvenile record clearing — which operates under separate statutes from adult expungement in most states and is generally easier to obtain — typically runs $400 to $1,300 with an attorney. Self-representation (DIY filing) reduces the cost to the court filing fee alone, typically $100 to $500 per petition, but carries a significantly higher dismissal risk due to procedural requirements that vary by state and by individual court. The table below summarizes the 2026 cost landscape across all four scenarios covered by this calculator.
One important distinction worth clarifying: not all states use the word 'expungement.' Some states call the equivalent remedy record sealing, expunction, set-aside, or petition to dismiss. The legal effect — and the cost — varies by the specific remedy available in your jurisdiction. California uses Penal Code 1203.4 to grant a dismissal that functions like expungement for many purposes, while Texas offers 'nondisclosure' for eligible offenses rather than true expungement. These distinctions affect both eligibility and, to some degree, attorney fees, since more complex state-specific procedures require more attorney time per case.
2026 US expungement cost estimates by record type, attorney vs. DIY.
Record Type
Attorney Fee
Court Filing Fee
Total Estimate
Misdemeanor
$400–$1,500
$100–$300
$500–$1,800
Felony
$1,000–$3,000
$200–$500
$1,200–$3,500
Multiple Charges
$1,500–$5,000
$200–$500
$1,700–$5,500
Juvenile Record
$300–$1,000
$100–$300
$400–$1,300
DIY (any record type)
$0
$100–$500
$100–$500
Court filing fees are paid directly to the court at the time of petition submission and are non-refundable regardless of whether the petition is granted or denied. Budget for this cost separately from any attorney fee.
2
Attorney vs. DIY Expungement: A Cost and Risk Comparison
The decision to hire an attorney or file a DIY expungement petition is one of the most consequential cost trade-offs in the process — not just financially, but in terms of likelihood of success. At first glance, DIY looks attractive: you pay only the court filing fee of $100 to $500, compared to $400 to $3,000 or more in attorney fees for a represented filing. But this apparent savings must be weighed against real dismissal risk. Expungement petition forms and eligibility rules are highly state-specific, and errors in the petition — including incorrect identification of the charge, missing documentation, or filing in the wrong court — typically result in dismissal without prejudice. After a dismissal, you can re-file, but most states impose a mandatory waiting period of six months to two years before you can do so.
The risk calculus differs by record type. For a simple misdemeanor in a state with a well-documented self-help process — California and Florida both publish detailed self-help guides — a careful DIY filer has a reasonable chance of success. For a felony expungement, the eligibility analysis alone is complex enough that most expungement attorneys recommend against DIY. You may need to verify that the applicable waiting period has been met, that no subsequent convictions exist, that the offense is not categorically excluded by statute, and that all restitution and fines have been paid in full. A single error in any part of that analysis can result in a denied petition and a wasted filing fee, which erases a meaningful portion of the cost savings from skipping an attorney.
Another factor worth considering is the ongoing economic value of a cleared record. A 2020 study by the University of Michigan found that individuals who successfully expunged a criminal conviction saw an average wage increase of approximately 25 percent within two years, and employment rates improved by roughly 11 percent within one year of expungement. Viewed against a potential $500 to $1,500 attorney fee for a misdemeanor, the return on investment of hiring a professional who dramatically increases your chance of a successful petition is substantial. Legal aid organizations and bar association pro bono clinics are worth exploring for income-qualifying individuals who cannot afford private representation.
Many states now offer free or low-cost expungement clinics through bar associations, legal aid societies, and nonprofit organizations. Research what is available in your county before deciding whether to hire private counsel.
DIY total cost: $100–$500 (court filing fee only); zero attorney labor
DIY dismissal risk: significantly elevated due to procedural complexity and state-specific eligibility rules
Attorney total cost: $500–$5,500 depending on record type; substantially higher success rate
Legal aid and pro bono: free representation for income-qualifying individuals through state bar clinics and nonprofits
Re-filing after dismissal: typically requires a 6-month to 2-year waiting period depending on state
Economic upside of success: approximately 25% wage increase post-expungement (University of Michigan, 2020)
Always confirm DIY eligibility before filing — an ineligible charge wastes the filing fee entirely
3
Key Factors That Affect Expungement Attorney Fees
Expungement attorney fees are not standardized — the same attorney in the same city may quote materially different fees for two clients because the work required genuinely differs by case. Understanding the main cost drivers helps you ask better questions when seeking quotes and avoid paying for complexity that your situation does not actually require. The most important factor is the type and number of charges on the record: a single misdemeanor is the simplest and least expensive to expunge; multiple felony charges requiring individual eligibility analysis are the most expensive. Record type and charge count together account for roughly half of the fee variation observed across the national market.
Geographic region is the second-largest driver of attorney fee variation. Attorneys in high-cost metropolitan areas — New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Boston — consistently price 20 to 40 percent above attorneys in smaller Midwest and Southern markets for equivalent case complexity. This is driven by higher overhead, higher regional labor market rates for legal professionals, and stronger demand in large urban markets. If you are willing to work with a licensed attorney remotely — which most states now permit for expungement matters — you may be able to access national-average rates even while living in a high-cost metro.
Case complexity beyond charge type also matters significantly. An expungement that requires a court hearing — because the prosecutor files an objection or because the case involves judicial discretion rather than a ministerial grant — takes more attorney time and commands a higher fee. Many attorneys quote a flat base fee that covers an uncontested petition but add hourly billing if a hearing is required. Other complexity factors include probation violations on the record, unpaid restitution or fines that must be resolved before the petition can proceed, and records from multiple jurisdictions requiring separate filings in different courts. Always confirm in writing whether the quoted fee includes a contested hearing before signing an engagement agreement.
Always ask whether the attorney's quoted fee covers a hearing if the prosecutor objects. In most flat-fee expungement engagements, contested hearings are billed separately at $150–$350 per hour, which can significantly exceed the base petition fee.
Record type and charge count: single misdemeanor costs least; multiple felonies cost most
Geographic market: high-cost metros run 20–40% above the national average
Case complexity: uncontested petitions cost less; objections or hearings add significant attorney time
Hearing requirement: flat-fee quotes often exclude hearing appearances — confirm in writing
Restitution and outstanding fines: must be paid in full before most states will allow expungement
Multi-jurisdiction filings: charges from multiple counties or courts require separate petitions and filing fees
State-specific procedural complexity: states with detailed requirements (CA, TX) cost more than streamlined-law states (PA, CT, OR)
4
When to Consult an Attorney
Clearing a criminal record is a legal proceeding with real consequences for employment, housing, professional licensing, and financial opportunities — consequences significant enough that the decision deserves professional guidance beyond the estimates this calculator provides. If your record includes a felony conviction, multiple charges from different incidents, a DUI or other categorically excluded offense, or a conviction from more than one jurisdiction, the eligibility analysis alone is complex enough to justify at least an initial attorney consultation. Most expungement attorneys offer a free or low-cost first consultation of $0 to $150 to assess your eligibility and provide a fee quote — consulting two or three attorneys before engaging one is standard practice, both for fee comparison and to get independent opinions on whether your specific record qualifies.
Consider scheduling a consultation if you have been denied employment or housing in the past 12 months due to a background check result, if a professional license application has been rejected or is at risk because of your record, or if you are uncertain whether the mandatory waiting period in your state has been fully satisfied. Even if you ultimately decide to proceed with DIY filing, a single paid consultation session with an expungement specialist ($100–$250 for most attorneys) to review your eligibility and walk through the correct petition form can substantially reduce your risk of a costly dismissal and a mandatory re-filing delay.
Legal aid organizations and bar association pro bono clinics provide free expungement assistance for income-qualifying individuals in most states. The Legal Services Corporation, state public defender offices, and law school clinical programs are three reliable starting points for finding free or reduced-cost representation. Nothing in this calculator constitutes legal advice — use these estimates as a planning input and a baseline for evaluating attorney quotes, not as a substitute for professional legal guidance tailored to your specific jurisdiction and record.
This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.