Record sealing
Restricting public access to a criminal record without destroying it.
In more detail
A sealed record still exists and remains accessible to courts and certain agencies, but is removed from public access. In practice, for employment purposes, sealing and expungement often have a similar effect — and the same limitation: neither reaches a private database.
Why it matters to you
A sealed record cannot lawfully be reported by a consumer reporting agency. If it appears on your background check, that is a disputable FCRA violation, not merely bad luck.
- Expungement
A court order restricting or destroying the government's record of a criminal case.
- Clean Slate law
A state law that seals eligible criminal records automatically, without the person applying.
- FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act)
The federal law governing companies that assemble consumer reports, including background checks.