Pardons

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In Maryland, where individuals have lost civil liberties as a result of a conviction(s), they can apply to the Governor through the Maryland Parole Commission for a pardon for restoration of these rights. An applicant should specify the grounds for consideration and the specific relief from disabilities arising from a conviction(s) that is being sought. Please refer to the attached guidelines and statutory provisions for clarification of eligibility. A pardon may not provide total relief from all statutory or regulatory restrictions concerning firearms.

Please be advised that a pardon does not expunge a person's criminal record. The power to expunge a record is reserved for the judicial branch of government, and may be exercised only by the Courts. For further information on having a record expunged, see our Expungement page or contact the court that originally presided over the case in question.

Applying for a Pardon

An Application For Pardon must be completed, signed and returned to the Maryland Parole Commission, 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 307, Baltimore, Maryland 21215 along with certified copies of the docket entries for any crime that resulted in a conviction in the State of Maryland. This information can be obtained from the Clerk of the Court where sentencing occurred. The certified copies of the docket entries that you submit must be stamped by the court with the words "True Copy,Test", bear the signature of the Clerk of the Court and the Court's seal. In addition, you must attach the required documentation outlined on the Pardon Application Checklist.

Failure to meet the required guidelines, complete the application in its entirety or provide the requested documentation could result in the rejection of your application.

If your case meets certain conditions, you may ask the court to expunge a criminal record. Expungement removes information about a case from court and law enforcement records. Make sure you keep copies of all expungement documents and the expungement order.

Expungement is different than Shielding.  When a criminal record is shielded, it will no longer be on Case Search or be available to the public.  To learn more, see Shielding Criminal Records.

See the following for detailed information on how to request expungement of an adult record:

• Expungement - A 6-Part Series (video)
• Information About Removing Criminal Records from Public Access in Maryland (Expungement of Criminal Records)

• Form CC-DC-CR-072A. There is no charge to expunge a case with a disposition of acquittal, dismissal, probation before judgment (PBJ), nolle prosequi, stet, or not criminally responsible.
• Form CC-DC-CR-072B. The filing fee is $30 for eligible guilty dispositions and is nonrefundable, even if denied. The fee is for each case (not for each charge related within a unit of the case). If you cannot afford the fee, you may request that the court waive the filing fee.
• Form CC-DC-CR-072C. For cases where ALL charges have a disposition of acquittal, not guilty, dismissal, or nolle prosequi, entered on October 1, 2021 or later the court will expunge the case automatically after 3 years. You may request expungement earlier than three years by using this form. There is no fee to do so.