Sealing Records

In order to have a record sealed, the following conditions must be met:

For class A offenses (filed on or after July 1, 1997):  

1. Since the last date of release from confinement, including full-time residential treatment, if any, or entry of disposition, the person has spent five consecutive years in the community without committing any offense or crime that subsequently results in an adjudication or conviction;
2. No proceeding is pending against the moving party seeking the conviction of a juvenile offense or a criminal offense;
3. No proceeding is pending seeking the formation of a diversion agreement with that person;
4. The person is no longer required to register as a sex offender under RCW 9A.44.130 or has been relieved of the duty to register under RCW 9A.44.143 if the person was convicted of a sex offense;
5. The person has not been convicted of rape in the first degree, rape in the second degree, or indecent liberties that was actually committed with forcible compulsion; and
6. Full restitution has been paid.

 For class B, C, gross misdemeanors and misdemeanor offenses and diversions: 

1. Since the last date of release from confinement, including full-time residential treatment, if any, or entry of disposition, or completion of a diversion agreement, the person has spent two consecutive years in the community without being convicted of any crime or offense;
2. No proceeding is pending against the moving party seeking the conviction of a juvenile offense or a criminal offense;
3. No proceeding is pending seeking the formation of a diversion agreement with that person;
4. The person is no longer required to register as a sex offender under RCW 9A.44.130 or has been relieved of the duty to register under RCW 9A.44.143 if the person was convicted of a sex offense; and
5. Full restitution has been paid.

    For vacated deferred disposition cases:

A person who has turned eighteen years of age after July 26, 2009, and does not have any charges pending at that time, shall have their records of vacated deferred disposition cases automatically sealed no later than thirty days after their birthday.   

A person who has already reached their eighteenth birthday before July 26, 2009, and does not have any charges pending, may request that the court to issue an order sealing the records of their vacated deferred dispositions. 

 Destroying Records

Juvenile records can be destroyed when: 

A person eighteen years of age or older whose criminal history consists entirely on one diversion agreement or counsel and release entered prior to June 12, 2008, may request that the court order the records in his or her case destroyed.  The request shall be granted, if the court finds that two years have elapsed since completion of the agreement or counsel and release.

A person twenty-three years of age or older whose criminal history consists of only referrals for diversion may request that the court order the records in those cases destroyed. The request shall be granted if the court finds that all diversion agreements have been successfully completed and no proceeding is pending against the person seeking the conviction of a criminal offense.

Juvenile records are automatically destroyed when:

1. The person who is the subject of the information or complaint is at least eighteen years of age;
2. His or her criminal history consists entirely of one diversion agreement or counsel and release entered on or after June 12, 2008;
3. Two years have elapsed since completion of the agreement or counsel and release;
4. No criminal proceeding is pending against the person; and
5. There is no resititution owing in the case.