Source-backed qualifications and preparation information for all 15 topics, usable across all 75 Arkansas counties with the existing county routes. This is partial coverage, not an eligibility decision. Current income limits, program exceptions, local intake, funding and individual facts require confirmation. No professional legal review is recorded.
Source-based preparation guidance, not an eligibility determination. The court, agency or funder applies current rules to your facts. County routing does not confirm local openings or provider availability.
County routing: Choose your Arkansas county above. Check the county contacts in this guide; program rules and service areas may differ. A local listing does not establish open intake or eligibility.
Source capture and review status
ACIC: criminal history and sealing forms — Sealing Your Record; separate petition/order routes; official search excerpt, direct browser retrieval blocked Source checked: 2026-10-12. Capture: retrieved. No professional legal review recorded. SHA-256: 438d7cc6f3cfaa7f1a97276bd00403588c03e1a8494a1ff16999b49b5c880064
Arkansas Judiciary: November 2024 appellate update — Finley v. State: eligibility separate from discretionary sealing review; case-specific discussion Source checked: 2026-10-12. Capture: retrieved. No professional legal review recorded. SHA-256: dd7e367280dd9985ede9667ec8a10ae237f3fe315a195da9e890fdd77cb05bbd
Forms, timing and where to file
Check that this filing path fits your actual papers and your role.
Match the procedure, your role and the actual papers before using a period or form. No personal due date is calculated. Current rules, service, exceptions and local filing requirements need confirmation.
File a petition to seal an eligible Arkansas record
Your next steps
Obtain each case's judgment, disposition and completion records.
Use ACIC's petition and proposed order for the actual disposition: felony, misdemeanor, dismissal or another listed category.
Confirm eligibility, waiting periods and required prosecutor service before filing in the sentencing court.
Keep the filed petition; after approval confirm that the clerk sends the filed order to ACIC.
What forms or applications do I need?
Petition to Seal and corresponding Order to Seal ↗(official directory) — Select the disposition-specific petition and proposed order from ACIC. Source page captured; verify current edition and instructions.
How much time do I have, and when must I file?
No single filing period for this path
Period: Eligibility and waiting periods vary by statute and disposition.
What starts the clock: The offense, outcome and completion of sentence.
What to do: Check the applicable sealing law before petitioning.
Exceptions and checks: Not every charge is eligible; an ACIC processing period is not permission to file.
Before you submit: Verify signatures, attachments, current form edition, fees or fee-waiver process, service requirements, and whether the office must receive or accept the filing by the deadline. Keep the accepted copy or receipt and follow up on rejected submissions. A referral or phone call does not extend a separate deadline.
Limits: No promise of eligibility, sealing approval, expungement of every database or a uniform waiting period.
Official sources and capture status
official_forms · Arkansas criminal records
Keep originals secure. Use copies and redact sensitive details when sharing.
Checks are temporary and reset when this page is reloaded.
Questions to ask before acting
Which case and disposition may qualify?
Is the problem an error or an accurate record?
Which court receives the petition and notice?
What consequences would remain after an order?
What is the response method and deadline in my actual papers, and can I request language help, disability access or a fee waiver?
Confirm criminal case information with the court and counsel. Civil legal-aid intake is not a substitute for criminal defense.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not assume one petition covers every case.
Do not treat a dismissed case as automatically erased everywhere.
Do not assume sealing restores every license or right.
Before filing, applying or traveling in Arkansas
Identify the actual court, division, agency or provider from your papers. Your home county alone may not determine the correct venue or office.
Confirm accepted submission methods, current forms, required attachments, fees or waiver options, and any separate service or notice requirement with the responsible office.
Read the dates and instructions on the actual notice. Keep delivery records, accepted submission receipts and the next appointment or hearing information.
Ask early about an interpreter, disability accommodations, a safe contact method, remote participation or travel needs. Confirm who receives the request.
For representation, ask about issue coverage, income rules, conflicts and intake capacity. A referral or application does not mean a lawyer has accepted the case.
These shared checks apply across all 75 counties. They are preparation questions, not confirmation of a particular local procedure. Court filing and agency applications use separate systems.
Shared source capture status
https://arcourts.gov/directories: Retrieved 2026-10-12 UTC.
General legal information and navigation, not legal advice. No deadline, eligibility, representation or outcome is determined here. Check current official instructions and your actual papers. Editorial guidance date: 2026-10-12. Draft navigation content; not professionally reviewed.
General legal information and navigation, not legal advice. No deadline, eligibility, representation or outcome is determined here. Check current official instructions and your actual papers.
Arkansas Legal