Oregon expungement FAQ

What is expungement in Oregon?

Expungement (called "setting aside" in Oregon) is the legal process of sealing a criminal record under ORS 137.225. Once set aside, the conviction is removed from most background checks and you can legally state that you have not been convicted in most situations.

Am I eligible for expungement in Oregon?

Eligibility depends on the type of offense, when it occurred, whether you completed your sentence, and your criminal history since. Most misdemeanors and Class B and C felonies qualify after the waiting period. Use our free eligibility checker to get an assessment in about 10 minutes.

What types of crimes can be expunged in Oregon?

Most misdemeanors (Class A, B, and C) and some Class B felonies and Class C felonies can be expunged. Violations are also eligible. Arrests that did not lead to a conviction, dismissed charges, and acquittals can be expunged with no waiting period. Excluded offenses include Class A felonies, most person felonies, most sex offenses requiring registration, DUII, and traffic crimes.

How long do I have to wait before I can file for expungement?

The waiting period depends on the conviction class: 1 year for violations and Class C misdemeanors, 3 years for Class A and B misdemeanors, 5 years for Class C felonies, and 7 years for eligible Class B felonies (non-person). The clock starts when you complete your sentence, including probation. Dismissed charges and arrests have no waiting period.

Can I get multiple charges expunged?

Yes. If all charges in a single case are eligible, they can be addressed in one petition. If you have charges across multiple cases or counties, you must file a separate motion for each case in the county where it was heard.

What if I have pending charges or open cases?

You must resolve all pending charges and open cases before you can apply for expungement. You cannot have any active criminal matters at the time you file your petition.

How does the expungement process work in Oregon?

You file a Motion to Set Aside with the circuit court in the county where your case was heard. The court sends a copy to the District Attorney, who has 120 days to respond. If the DA does not object, the judge typically grants the order without a hearing. You must also submit a fingerprint card and background check fee to Oregon State Police.

What forms do I need to file for expungement in Oregon?

You need a Motion to Set Aside (the petition itself), a supporting affidavit, proof of service showing the DA was notified, and an OSP fingerprint card with a $33 fee. Our service generates all court documents, handles filing, and submits the fingerprint card and fee to OSP — you only need to get fingerprinted and mail the card to us.

Where do I file my expungement petition?

You file with the circuit court in the county where the case was originally heard. For example, if you were convicted in Multnomah County, you file with the Multnomah County Circuit Court. Our service automatically files with the correct court.

Do I need to go to court for expungement?

In most cases, no. Oregon expungement petitions are typically handled without a hearing. The judge reviews the petition and supporting documents and issues an order. However, if the DA objects, a hearing may be scheduled where you would need to appear.

How much does expungement cost in Oregon?

There is no court filing fee — Oregon eliminated it. Our service costs $249 and covers everything: document preparation, mailing to court and DA, case tracking, document scanning, court order delivery, OSP form, and $33 background check fee. The only additional cost is fingerprinting ($10–30). Total cost is roughly $259–$279. Hiring a lawyer typically costs $700–$2,000+. Installment plans are available (4 payments of $62.25 upon approval).

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Do I need a lawyer for expungement?

No. Oregon allows you to file for expungement without an attorney. Our service automates document preparation and filing. However, if your case involves unusual circumstances — contested petitions, multiple counties, or federal issues — consulting a lawyer may be helpful.

What do I actually have to do?

Get fingerprinted at any fingerprinting location ($10–30) and mail the fingerprint card to us. Our mailing address and full instructions are on your dashboard. That's it. We handle everything else — forms, fees, court filing, DA notification, and OSP submission.

How long does the expungement process take?

After we mail your documents, the District Attorney has up to 120 days to respond. Most cases take 3–6 months total. You can check your case status anytime from your dashboard — we update it as soon as anything happens.

What happens after I pay?

We immediately generate your court documents and mail them to the court and District Attorney. Your fingerprint instructions and our mailing address will be available on your dashboard — get fingerprinted and mail us the card. You can track every step from your dashboard.

How do you receive my court mail and email?

When we file your documents, our mailing address is listed as the address of record. That means all letters from the court and District Attorney come to our office. We open and scan everything, and it shows up on your dashboard — usually the same day. You also get a dedicated email address for your case. If the court or DA sends an email, we capture it and it appears on your dashboard alongside your scanned mail. Between physical mail and email, nothing slips through the cracks.

How will I know what's happening with my case?

Log in to your account anytime to see your case status. Because all court and DA mail comes to our office, we know the moment something happens. We update your status at every step — when documents are mailed, when the DA responds, and when the court issues an order. You'll see a clear timeline showing exactly where things stand.

What if I move during the process?

No problem. All court and DA mail comes to our address, not yours — so nothing gets lost if you move. When it's time to send you the original court order, we mail it to whatever address you have on file. You can update your address in your account at any time.

Will I get the official court order?

Yes. The court mails the order to our office. We scan it and save a copy to your dashboard, then forward the original to your personal address.

What if the District Attorney objects?

If the DA objects, we'll let you know right away through your case status dashboard. The DA may object because they believe you're not eligible, or because they feel circumstances don't warrant expungement. If they object, a hearing may be scheduled where you can argue your case before a judge. You can represent yourself or hire a lawyer.

What does expungement do for employment?

After expungement, most private employers will not see the conviction on a background check. You can legally answer "no" when asked if you have been convicted of a crime on job applications. However, some government positions and professional licenses may still require disclosure.

Does expungement affect housing applications?

Yes. After expungement, most landlord background checks will not show the conviction. You can legally state that you were not convicted when applying for housing. This removes one of the biggest barriers people with criminal records face.

Will expungement restore my gun rights?

Expungement restores your right to possess firearms under Oregon law. Under ORS 137.225, a set-aside conviction is "deemed not to have occurred." However, this does not necessarily restore your gun rights under federal law — federal firearms restrictions may still apply independently.

Will the FBI still have my record after expungement?

The FBI may retain records of the arrest and conviction even after Oregon seals the record. For most purposes, including private employment and housing, this does not matter because those entities use state-level background checks. However, federal background checks for security clearances or certain government positions may still show the record.

Can I expunge an out-of-state conviction in Oregon?

No. Oregon courts can only set aside Oregon convictions. If you have an out-of-state conviction, you must file for expungement in the state where the conviction occurred, under that state's laws.

Can federal convictions be expunged in Oregon?

No. Federal convictions are handled by federal courts and are not subject to Oregon's expungement statute. There is currently very limited federal expungement available, primarily for certain drug possession offenses.

Can a DUII be expunged in Oregon?

No. DUII (Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants) convictions under ORS 813.010 are specifically excluded from expungement in Oregon. This applies to both misdemeanor and felony DUII convictions.