Consumer Guide

After Auto-Restoration: Do I Need Anything Else?

Your civil rights are auto-restored under HB2119. Now what? Most Arizonans don't need to file anything additional — but here's how to verify and what other relief might still apply.

Confirming auto-restoration applies to you

A.R.S. § 13-907 auto-restoration (added by HB2119, effective September 24, 2022) covers:

• First-time AZ felons (no prior felony from any state)
• Whose probation was discharged on or after September 24, 2022, OR who received absolute discharge from prison on or after that date
• Who have paid all restitution

If you fit those criteria, your civil rights — vote, jury service, public office — are restored automatically. No filing needed.

How to verify your status

Three sources:

1. Voter registration. If your civil rights are restored, you can register to vote with normal procedures. Visit servicearizona.com or your county recorder.
2. Certificate of Restoration. Effective May 2026, Arizona courts began automatically issuing certificates to auto-restored petitioners. If you haven't received one, contact the convicting court's clerk office.
3. Your case docket. Public Access (apps.supremecourt.az.gov/publicaccess/) may show a "rights restored" entry on your case.

What auto-restoration does NOT cover

Firearm rights

Civil rights restoration ≠ firearm rights restoration. Firearm rights have a separate process under § 13-910, with its own waiting periods (2 years for most felonies, 10 for serious offenses, permanent for dangerous offenses).

If you want to legally possess a firearm, you must file a separate § 13-910 application. HB2119 did NOT make firearm rights automatic.

Sealing or set-aside

Auto-restoration doesn't hide the record or vacate the conviction. The conviction remains visible on background checks. To hide it, file under § 13-911. To vacate the judgment, file under § 13-905.

Out-of-state or federal convictions

If your felony was in another state or in federal court, you're not covered by § 13-907 auto-restoration. Apply under § 13-908(B) in your AZ county of residence.

Common scenarios after auto-restoration

"I want a clean background check"

File set-aside under § 13-905 and sealing under § 13-911. Both are $0 court filing fees. Set-aside has no waiting period; sealing has 2-10 years depending on offense class.

"I want to legally own a firearm"

File firearm rights restoration under § 13-910 once the waiting period (typically 2 years) has elapsed.

"I have an old marijuana conviction"

File marijuana expungement under § 36-2862. This destroys the record entirely (stronger than sealing).

"I have a Class 6 undesignated felony"

File Class 6 designation under § 13-604 to convert it to a misdemeanor. This dramatically reduces collateral consequences.

"My DUI was dismissed but my MVD record shows the suspension"

File Admin Per Se expungement under § 28-3004 to remove the MVD notation.

Bottom line

Auto-restoration is a great starting point, but it's only one piece of the puzzle. Most Arizonans with felony convictions benefit from also pursuing set-aside, sealing, and (where applicable) firearm rights restoration. Each is a separate filing, each is $0 in court fees, and each does something different.

Run our free 3-minute screening to see exactly which combination of remedies fits your specific case.