North Carolina Expungement Laws 2026
North Carolina expungement and record-sealing laws: eligibility, waiting periods, and how to clear a criminal record in North Carolina.
North Carolina allows certain criminal records to be cleared or sealed. The relief is called "Expunction", governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-146.
Automatic record clearing in North Carolina
Yes — North Carolina clears or seals many eligible records automatically, without a separate petition. North Carolina expunges (expunctions) eligible records by petition and automatically expunges some dismissed or not-guilty charges.
At a glance
| Detail | North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Relief available | Expunction |
| Statute | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-146 |
| Automatic clearing? | Yes — many eligible records clear automatically |
| Waiting period | Automatic for some; 5-15 years for others |
| Eligible records | Dismissed/not-guilty charges auto-expunge; some convictions |
| Process | Automatic expunction of some charges; petition otherwise |
Who is eligible
Dismissed/not-guilty charges auto-expunge; some convictions.
How the process works
Automatic expunction of some charges; petition otherwise.
Source and last verified
Statute: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-146. Last verified: 2026-08-04. Laws change — confirm the current rule with the North Carolina records authority before acting.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is record clearing called in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, the relief is called "Expunction", governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-146.
How long do I wait before clearing a record in North Carolina?
Automatic for some; 5-15 years for others.
Who can clear a record in North Carolina?
Dismissed/not-guilty charges auto-expunge; some convictions.
Does North Carolina clear records automatically?
Yes — under North Carolina law, many eligible records are sealed or cleared automatically without a petition. North Carolina expunges (expunctions) eligible records by petition and automatically expunges some dismissed or not-guilty charges.