Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center | Expungement Frequently Asked Questions

Expungement Frequently Asked Questions

Commonly asked questions and their answers may be found here

What is an expungement?

An expungement removes arrest information from the statewide central repository of adult criminal history record information. If the expungement is for an arrest that resulted in a non-conviction, the arrest record is also expunged from the arresting agency. If the court granted an Order for Expungement of conviction information, the arrest record may still be available at the arresting agency.

An expungement does not remove or seal the information from the Judiciary’s system (currently referred to as eCourt Kokua) or other case files.

How much does an expungement cost?

There is a $35.00 fee for a First-Time expungement and $50.00 for a Non-First-Time Expungement. A $10 non-refundable administrative fee is included in this amount.

How do I submit payment for an expungement?

Payment is made by money order or cashier’s check made payable to the “State of Hawaii”.

If the Expungement form is submitted in person at the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center, your form and payment should be placed in a sealed envelope and deposited into the Drop Box located in Room 102, at the front counter.

–OR–

Mail Expungement Form and Payment to:

Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center
Expungement Section
465 S. King St. #102
Honolulu, HI. 96813

How long does the expungement take?

An expungement can take up to 120 days (approximately 4 months). You will receive a certificate when the expungement is completed. Until that time, the qualifying arrests will remain on your criminal record. The certificate will state which arrests have been expunged from your criminal record.

Do I need to submit court documents with my expungement form?

Yes, if you are submitting an expungement form for either Driving Under the Influence, Under the Age of Twenty-One conviction, or First-Time Drug Related/Property Offender conviction with the Expungement Application (HCJDC-159(b)).

It is not required for Non-Conviction expungements, but sending in a copy of your certified dismissal order is helpful.

How do I obtain a copy of my court documents and traffic abstract?

For copies of your court documents, you may contact the Judiciary Communication & Community Relations Office at (808) 539-4909, or visit their website at

To search for court records click:

https://www.courts.state.hi.us/legal_references/records/search_court_records

To request copies of court records click:

https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/court_records_request_oahu

What does not qualify for an expungement?

Charges without final dispositions.
In the case of a person who was involuntarily hospitalized pursuant to section 706‑607, or who was acquitted or had charges dismissed pursuant to chapter 704 due to a physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect;
Charges with guilty dispositions, with the exception of when the court grants an order for the expungement of a conviction for certain offenses or circumstances:
- §291E-0064(e) – Operating a vehicle after consuming a measurable amount of alcohol; persons under the age of twenty-one;
- §706-622.5 – Sentencing for first-time drug offender;
- §706-622.8 – First-time drug offender prior to 2004; and
- §706-622.9 – Sentencing for first-time property offender.
Charges with less than one (1) year from the dismissal of a deferred acceptance of guilty or no contest pleas.
Prostitution charges (712-1200) with less than three (3) years from dismissal of deferred acceptance of guilty or no contest pleas.
Other circumstances as listed in section 831-3.2, HRS.

Will a pardon qualify my arrest charge to be expunged?

No, pardoned charges do not qualify for expungement. it will remain on your criminal arrest record with a notation of the pardon and the pardon date. For more information about pardons, you may contact the Hawaii Paroling Authority (HPA) at (808) 587-1300, or visit their website at https://www.dps.hawaii.gov/hpa.

What happens if my expungement request does not qualify?

The fee includes a $10.00 non-refundable administrative fee that will not be returned even if it is found that your charge does not qualify. Your Expungement form and the remainder of the fee will be returned to you.

Do you expunge juvenile charges?

No, we do not expunge juvenile charges. For information about juvenile charges, contact Family Court at (808) 954-8144.

Will I be notified when my Expungement form is received?

No, but you may send in your expungement form by certified mail which can be tracked by the U.S. Postal Service or any other mail delivery service that can be tracked.

Will my record at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) be expunged?

Although it is not statutorily mandated that an order be sent to the FBI, we will send a notification to the FBI requesting that they remove the expunged Hawaii charges from their files.

What about my court information?

An expungement does not remove or seal court records or traffic abstracts. You may visit the Hawaii State Judiciary’s webpage on sealing court records.

How will the expungement affect my application for a visa, employment, etc.?

You should contact the agency that you are applying with for information.

How can I get a copy of my expungement certificate?

You may mail your request for a duplicate expungement certificate the HCJDC at 465 South King Street, Room 102, Honolulu, HI 96813. Requests may take up to 30 days to be completed. Your request for a duplicate expungement certificate must include the following:

Cashier’s check or money order for $20 made payable to “State of Hawaii”;
Copy of valid photo ID;
Your full Name;
Any previous names or aliases;
Date of birth;
List of charges that were expunged;
Day-time phone number;
Mailing address;
Date of request; and
Your signature.

Once my arrest record is expunged, is my record completely deleted from the State criminal justice information system?

§846-3.2, Hawaii Revised Statute allows expunged records to be retained in a confidential file by the State and shall not be divulged except upon inquiry by: (1) A court of law or an agency thereof which is preparing a presentence investigation for the court; (2) An agency of the federal or state government which is considering the subject person for a position immediately and directly affecting the national or state security; or (3) A law enforcement agency acting within the scope of their duties.