Minnesota Clean Slate Act in 2026: Is Your Record Automatically Expunged?

Minnesota’s Clean Slate law changed the way qualifying records can be sealed, but automatic expungement is not the same as a guarantee that every old record will immediately disappear. The right first question is whether your specific case meets the statute’s criteria and whether the relevant agencies have completed their review.

What the Clean Slate Law Does

Minn. Stat. § 609A.015 authorizes automatic expungement relief for certain records. Depending on the disposition and offense, the statute covers some dismissals and resolutions in a person’s favor, certain diversion or stay-of-adjudication outcomes, and some qualifying convictions after the applicable waiting period. The statutory criteria and exclusions control; no website can determine eligibility without reviewing the record.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reports that it began automatic Clean Slate sealing in June 2025. As of July 14, 2026, the BCA reported 1,888,375 records sealed and 107,841 records in Minnesota Judicial Branch review, representing 98.493% of the records it identified as expunged or in final review. The BCA also explains that remaining visible records may be ineligible or may require individual review.

Why a Record May Still Be Visible

The BCA does not have contact information for every person in the Criminal History System and does not notify individuals about each change. A visible record may be undergoing review, may not qualify for automatic relief, or may involve records held by other agencies. The Minnesota Judicial Branch explains that a person may petition the court if a record is not automatically expunged, is not eligible for automatic expungement, or requires relief beyond the automatic process.

When to Ask an Attorney to Review the Record

A petition-based expungement may be available under Minn. Stat. § 609A.02, subject to the statute’s eligibility rules. Martin S. Azarian can review the exact disposition, dates, and agencies involved and explain whether a petition or another step should be considered. Read our Minnesota expungement timeline for more on the petition process.

Call (612) 343-9000 for a confidential consultation.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Eligibility and timing depend on the individual record and the law that applies.