A Minnesota record can follow you into every job application, lease, and background check. Expungement seals it. Here is who qualifies, how long it takes, and the two different routes to get there.
Call (612) 441-4417 for a free, confidential consultation about clearing your record.
Two routes to a sealed record
Minnesota now has an automatic route and a petition route. Under the Clean Slate Act, certain eligible records are sealed automatically without anyone filing anything. Records that do not qualify for automatic sealing still require a petition to the District Court.
Because eligibility depends on the offense, the outcome, and how much time has passed, the practical first step is confirming which route applies to your specific record.
The general waiting periods
| Outcome or offense level | General waiting period after discharge |
|---|---|
| Case dismissed or resolved in your favor | No waiting period in many circumstances |
| Stay of adjudication completed | 1 year after discharge |
| Petty misdemeanor or misdemeanor | 2 years after discharge |
| Gross misdemeanor | 3 years after discharge |
| Eligible felony | 4 years after discharge |
These are general timeframes. Not every felony is eligible, and staying out of trouble during the waiting period is essential.
What sealing does and does not do
Expungement seals the record from public view. It does not always destroy every copy, and certain agencies can still access sealed records in defined circumstances, including some licensing and law enforcement contexts. For the overwhelming majority of employment and housing screening, however, a sealed record stops showing up.
What courts weigh on a petition
The court balances the benefit to you against the burden on public safety and records management. Evidence of rehabilitation matters: steady employment, treatment completion, education, letters of support, and a clean record since the offense.
Frequently asked questions
Can a DWI be expunged in Minnesota?
A DWI conviction can be eligible under the petition route once the waiting period is satisfied, though the analysis depends on the degree and your history.
Do I still have to disclose an expunged record?
Once a record is sealed, you generally do not have to disclose it on most employment and housing applications. Certain licensing contexts are exceptions.
How long does the process take?
A contested petition commonly takes several months from filing to hearing to order, and agencies then need time to seal.
Call (612) 441-4417 for a free, confidential consultation about your record.
Related: Minnesota criminal defense and the Minnesota criminal court process.