Consumer Guide

5 Myths About Arizona Record Sealing

Misinformation about A.R.S. § 13-911 sealing is everywhere — from outdated lawyer marketing to social media. Here are the five most common myths and what the law actually says.

Myth #1: "I have a felony, so I can never seal my record."

Wrong. Most felonies in Arizona are eligible for sealing under § 13-911. The waiting periods are longer than for misdemeanors (5 years for Class 4-6 felonies, 10 years for Class 2-3 felonies, measured from absolute discharge), but the relief is real and the filing fee is $0.

Excluded offenses are listed in § 13-911(O) — primarily sex offenses requiring registration, offenses against young victims, and certain dangerous offenses under § 13-704. Most felonies do NOT fall into these excluded categories.

Myth #2: "Sealing costs thousands of dollars."

Misleading. Arizona courts charge $0 to file a § 13-911 sealing petition. The legislature deliberately removed filing fees so the remedy would be accessible.

If you hire an attorney to handle the petition for you, expect $1,500-$3,000. If you use a document-preparation service, $500-$1,500. If you file pro se (yourself), it's free but you need to understand the statute and procedure.

When attorneys quote you "$2,000 plus court fees," there are no court fees to add. Same for paralegals quoting "$1,200 plus filing." There's nothing to add.

Myth #3: "Sealing means the record is destroyed."

Wrong. Sealing hides the record from public view. The court file is removed from public access, but it still exists. Law enforcement, AZPOST, and the courts retain access. The conviction can still be used as a prior in subsequent criminal proceedings.

The only Arizona remedy that truly destroys a record is marijuana expungement under § 36-2862 (Prop 207). For all other offenses, sealing is the deepest hiding available — but the record persists in restricted form.

Myth #4: "If sealing is denied, I can just refile."

Wrong, and this is a costly mistake. § 13-911(L) imposes a 3-year refile bar after any denial. If your petition is denied — even on a procedural technicality — you cannot file another sealing petition for 3 years.

This is why eligibility verification matters before filing. Use a screening tool, consult an attorney, or verify against the statute carefully. A denial costs you 3 years of waiting.

Myth #5: "Sealing my record means I can lie about it on any application."

Mostly true, with important exceptions. Section 13-911 explicitly allows petitioners to deny the existence of a sealed conviction on most employment, housing, and licensing applications. You can answer "no" to "have you ever been convicted of a crime."

The exceptions matter:

• Law enforcement employment
• Working with vulnerable populations (children, elderly, disabled)
• Some state-licensed professions
• Federal security clearances
• Federal immigration applications

For these specific contexts, you may still be required to disclose. Read application forms carefully — they usually specify when disclosure is required despite sealing.

For the full picture

See our complete Arizona Record Sealing Guide for statutory citations and procedure details.