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How Much Does It Cost to Expunge a Record in Michigan?
Typical total: $50 in state fees, or roughly $545 – $1,045 with professional document preparation
Reviewed and updated by the Clear Path document team. Informational only — not legal advice.
Quick Answer
How Much Does It Cost to Expunge a Record in Michigan?
Expunging a Michigan conviction costs about $50 in mandatory state fees — the Michigan State Police fingerprint processing charge. Michigan does not charge a court filing fee for a set-aside application. Document preparation through Clear Path starts at $495, and attorneys typically charge $1,000 to $3,000 for the same petition.
Line-by-line cost breakdown
Court and state fees are set by the government and change periodically. Clear Path prices are starting estimates — every matter is reviewed before a final quote and invoice.
| Cost | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court filing fee for the application | $0 | None — Michigan does not charge one | Set-aside applications are fee-exempt by statute |
| Michigan State Police fingerprint processing | $50 | Paid to the MSP | Required with every MC 227 application |
| Certified copy of the conviction record | $10 – $20 | Paid to the convicting court | — |
| ICHAT criminal history report | $10 | Paid to the MSP | Used to confirm your full record |
| Single conviction expungement packet | Starting at $495 | Clear Path document preparation | — |
| Multiple conviction packet | Starting at $749 | Clear Path document preparation | — |
| Complex or contested set-aside | Starting at $995 | Clear Path document preparation | — |
| Attorney-handled expungement | $1,000 – $3,000 | Paid to a law firm | — |
How to spend less
- Check whether Michigan's Clean Slate automatic expungement already cleared the conviction — some misdemeanors clear after 7 years and some felonies after 10 without any filing.
- Pull your ICHAT report first so you apply for every eligible conviction at once instead of paying for repeat fingerprinting.
- Confirm your waiting period before filing. An early application is denied and you start over.
- Bundle multiple convictions into a single application cycle where the court allows it.
Timeline and when each cost hits
| Stage | Typical timing |
|---|---|
| Confirm eligibility and pull your record | 1–2 weeks |
| Prepare and sign the MC 227 application | 3–7 business days |
| Fingerprints to the Michigan State Police | Same week; MSP processing takes several weeks |
| Serve the prosecutor and Attorney General | At filing |
| Hearing before the judge | Typically 2–5 months after filing |
| Record updated with the State Police | Several weeks after the order is signed |