Iowa expungement law uses different waiting periods depending on the type of record you want to clear.
At least 180 days
For cases that were dismissed or where you were found not guilty, at least 180 days must pass after the dismissal, and all counts in that case number must be dismissed before expungement is an option.
At least 8 years
For most misdemeanor convictions, you must wait at least 8 years, have no pending criminal charges, and meet other limits, including that this is your once-in-a-lifetime misdemeanor conviction expungement.
As little as 2 years
Public intoxication and underage drinking (PAULA) cases often have a shorter wait: many can be cleared after 2 years if you have no new criminal convictions besides simple traffic tickets.
Because every person's record is different, using a short online quiz or a focused consultation is often the easiest way to figure out your specific timeline. Our quiz takes just 2 minutes and gives you personalized results.
Take our free 2-minute quiz to see when you'll be eligible for expungement