How much does it cost to seal your record in Colorado?

Colorado courts charge no fee to seal a criminal record for a case that results in a dismissal or acquittal.

The fee to seal convictions is $65. In addition, you will end up spending up to $20 on retrieving your criminal record (the first step of getting a seal) and about $5 on postage when you mail out the “order to seal” (the final step of getting a seal).

Note there is no court fee for expunging juvenile records or underage DUIs.

There is also no court fee if you wait for the state to seal your records automatically, but this can take several extra years. It is worth paying for a seal as soon as you are eligible.¹

Fee Waivers

For a record seal fee waiver in Colorado, fill out court form JDF 205 and file it with the court. If they find that you are indigent, any filing fees should be waived or reduced.

Record Seal Procedure

Getting a Colorado record seal is a five-step process:

1. Obtain a copy of your criminal record from the police agency that arrested or cited you.
2. Obtain a copy of your criminal history from the Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI).
3. Fill out the appropriate petition to seal form (listed in the table below) and file it with the court that your case was in.
4. Wait for the court to accept or deny the petition. In rare cases, the court will require a hearing before deciding whether to order a seal.
5. If the court grants you an order to seal, mail a copy of the order to all the state agencies that have your record on file (such as the CBI and police department).

Sealing vs. Expunging

In Colorado, expunging records is physically destroying the record as if it never existed. Sealing is simply making the record invisible to most databases, but it still exists.

Ultimately, sealing and expunging serve the same purpose: to ensure a clean background check. Colorado law permits eligible people to seal – but not expunge – their criminal records. The only records that can be expunged are juvenile records and underage drinking and driving.²

Waiting Period to Seal

The waiting period to seal Colorado criminal records depends on the case:

Meanwhile, the following convictions can never be sealed and must remain on your record forever:

• Sex crimes
• DUIs
• Class 1 felonies, class 2 felonies, and class 3 felonies
• Level 1 drug felonies
• Domestic violence convictions (including domestic violence harassment)
• Class 1 misdemeanor traffic offenses and class 2 misdemeanor traffic offenses
• Class A traffic infractions and class B traffic infractions
• Crimes involving a commercial driver’s license

Colorado law contains limited exceptions that may permit sealing of certain convictions that would otherwise be ineligible.³

Automatic Record Seals

If you do not petition to seal your Colorado criminal records yourself, and your records are eligible for sealing, the state will eventually seal them for free. The more serious the case, the longer the waiting period:

• Arrests with no charges: 1 year and 60 days after the arrest.
• Non-convictions: Immediately upon the dismissal or acquittal.
• Civil infractions: 4 years after the case closes.
• Petty offense convictions: 7 years after the case closes.
• Misdemeanor convictions: 7 years after the case closes.
• Felony convictions: 10 years after the case closes.⁴

Hire an Attorney

It is very easy to make mistakes on the record-sealing petition that will set back the entire process to square one. Plus, in our experience, state agencies are much more likely to comply quickly with an “order to seal” if they see it is mailed from an attorney.

Hiring a skilled Colorado criminal defense attorney maximizes the odds of getting your record sealed on the first try and as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to obtain my criminal history before sealing my record?

Usually, yes. Before filing a sealing petition, many people obtain a copy of their Colorado criminal history and court records to confirm eligibility and identify the exact case numbers involved. Depending on the agency providing the records, there may be a small fee.

Can I get a fee waiver when sealing a Colorado criminal record?

Possibly. Colorado courts may waive certain filing fees for people who cannot afford them. To qualify, you generally must submit financial information showing that paying the fee would create a hardship. The court will decide whether a waiver is appropriate in your case.

Are there any costs besides the court filing fee?

Sometimes. Depending on the type of case, you may incur small additional expenses for obtaining records, mailing documents, serving notices, or attending hearings. These costs are usually modest compared to attorney fees.

Will I have to attend a hearing to seal my Colorado record?

Maybe. Many sealing petitions are granted without a hearing. However, a judge may schedule one if the prosecutor objects or if additional information is needed. If a hearing is required, the process may take longer and could increase attorney fees.

Why do attorneys charge different amounts to seal criminal records?

Attorney fees vary depending on the complexity of the case. Factors that can affect cost include the number of records involved, whether eligibility is disputed, whether a hearing is necessary, and how much investigation or legal research is required.

Can employers see a sealed criminal record in Colorado?

In most situations, employers cannot see sealed Colorado criminal records through standard background checks. Once a record is sealed, it is generally hidden from public view. However, certain government agencies, courts, and employers in sensitive industries may still have access to sealed records under Colorado law.

Can landlords see a sealed criminal record in Colorado?

Generally, landlords cannot see sealed criminal records because they are removed from public access. Sealing a record can improve housing opportunities by preventing most tenant-screening companies from reporting the case.

Can professional licensing boards access sealed records?

Sometimes. Certain state licensing boards and government agencies may be authorized to review sealed records when evaluating applications for professional licenses. Whether a board can access a sealed record depends on the specific licensing laws that apply to that profession.

How long does it take to seal a criminal record in Colorado?

The timeline varies by court and case type. Many record-sealing petitions are resolved within several weeks to several months. Cases requiring a hearing or involving objections from prosecutors may take longer.

Can I seal multiple Colorado cases with one petition?

Usually, each criminal case requires its own petition and filing. If you have multiple eligible cases, you may need to file separate paperwork for each one. An attorney can help determine the most efficient way to pursue sealing for multiple records.

What happens if my record-sealing petition is denied?

If a judge denies a petition to seal a criminal record, the record remains publicly accessible. Depending on the reason for the denial, you may be able to correct deficiencies, wait until you become eligible, or seek review of the court’s decision.

Do I need a lawyer to seal my Colorado criminal record?

No. Colorado law allows individuals to file record-sealing petitions without an attorney. However, hiring a lawyer may increase the likelihood of success, particularly when eligibility is unclear or a court hearing is required.

Are dismissed criminal cases automatically sealed in Colorado?

Many non-conviction records are now eligible for automatic sealing under Colorado’s Clean Slate laws. However, automatic sealing does not apply to every case. If a dismissed case remains visible on a background check, you may still need to file a petition or request relief through the court.

Can I legally say I was not arrested after my Colorado record is sealed?

In many situations, a person whose record has been sealed may lawfully state that the arrest, criminal case, or conviction did not occur. However, exceptions apply when dealing with certain government agencies, courts, law enforcement, or professional licensing authorities.

Will sealing my criminal record remove it from online background-check websites?

Sealing a record removes it from official public court records, but private websites may not update immediately. If a background-check company continues reporting a sealed record, you may be able to request that the information be corrected or removed.

Does sealing a criminal record restore my gun rights in Colorado?

Usually not. Sealing a criminal record does not automatically restore firearm rights that were lost because of a felony conviction or certain other disqualifying offenses. Separate restoration procedures may be available depending on the circumstances of the case.

Can I travel internationally if my Colorado record is sealed?

Sealing a record does not guarantee admission into another country. Foreign governments set their own entry requirements and may consider criminal history even if a record has been sealed. Travelers with criminal records should check the destination country’s rules before making travel plans.

What steps are involved in sealing a Colorado criminal record?

The process generally involves reviewing your criminal history, determining eligibility, preparing and filing the appropriate petition, notifying required parties, attending a hearing if necessary, and obtaining a court order directing agencies to seal the record. Learn more in our article on sealing Colorado criminal records. 

Additional Reading

For more information, see our related articles:

• Expunge vs. Seal criminal records in Colorado – An explanation of how sealing compares to expunging.
• Colorado Criminal Records – 5 key things to know – Overview of how record sealing works.
• Who can see a sealed record in Colorado? – Discussion of who can see sealed records and when.
• Collateral relief in Colorado– Guide to how courts can order collateral relief – including record seals – to help defendants reintegrate into society.

Legal References