Criminal Records • Document Preparation
Michigan Expungement Application Preparation
Filing support for Michigan residents seeking to set aside eligible misdemeanor and felony convictions under the Clean Slate Act.
Important: Clear Path Document Services is a document preparation and filing-assistance service — not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice, attorney representation, or create attorney-client relationships. All documents are prepared based on information you provide for educational and administrative purposes.Read full disclaimer.
- Transparent flat-rate pricing
- Most applications prepared in 5–10 business days
- Michigan court-ready formatting
- Step-by-step filing instructions
How Michigan Expungement Paperwork works in Michigan
Michigan's Clean Slate Act expanded who is eligible for expungement (called 'set aside') and added an automatic process for some convictions. For convictions that don't qualify automatically, an application must be filed with the court of conviction.
- 1
Eligibility intake
We collect the conviction details and run our eligibility checklist; if you'd like a quick self-check, use our Expungement Eligibility Checker tool first.
- 2
ICHAT order
We help you order your Michigan ICHAT criminal history report (required exhibit).
- 3
Application drafting
We prepare the Application to Set Aside Conviction with all required attachments.
- 4
Service packet
We prepare service copies for the prosecutor, Attorney General, and Michigan State Police.
- 5
Hearing prep
Step-by-step hearing instructions and a checklist of supporting documents.
Common forms used for michigan expungement paperwork
Michigan expungement uses MC-series forms. Form numbers updated under the Clean Slate Act — confirm the latest revision before filing.
| Form # | Name | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| MC 227 | Application to Set Aside Conviction | Main expungement application. |
| MC 228 | Order on Application | Proposed order for the judge to sign. |
| ICHAT | Internet Criminal History Access Tool report | Required certified criminal history exhibit. |
| MC 20 | Fee Waiver Request | Asks the court to waive filing fees. |
Form numbers and revisions change. Always confirm with your local court before filing. We help organize and complete the right packet based on the information you provide.
Where to file
File the application in the court where you were convicted. For multiple convictions, separate applications may be required for each court.
Typical filing fee
There is no filing fee charged by the court for an expungement application, but a $50 fee is required for the State Police fingerprint processing.
Fee waiver: MC 20 can be used to waive the $50 fingerprinting fee.
Service of process basics
Certified copies of the application must be served on the convicting prosecutor, the Michigan Attorney General, and the Michigan State Police.
What trips people up
- Filing before the mandatory waiting period has elapsed.
- Missing the requirement to serve all three state agencies.
- Forgetting to attach the ICHAT report.
- Trying to expunge a conviction that is statutorily ineligible (CSC, traffic offenses with serious injury, etc.).
- Filing in the wrong court when convictions are spread across counties.
What to expect, week by week
- Week 1
Eligibility & ICHAT
Order ICHAT; we draft the application.
- Weeks 2–3
File & serve
File with the court; serve the three state agencies.
- Weeks 4–10
Agency responses
Prosecutor and AG have 60 days to respond.
- Months 3–6
Hearing & order
Court holds a hearing; if granted, the order is sent to the State Police for record updates.
How Michigan Expungement Document Preparation Works in Michigan
Expungement applications are filed in the court that originally entered the conviction.
Typical filing fees: $50 State Police fee (no court filing fee) (set by the court, not by us)
- • MCL 780.621 et seq. governs Michigan set-aside of convictions.
- • Waiting periods range from 3 years (most misdemeanors) to 7 years (most felonies) after sentence completion.
- • Some convictions automatically expunge under the Clean Slate Act without an application.
- • St. Clair County: file at the courthouse in Port Huron; small clerk staff means going early in the day usually means shorter waits.
- • Macomb County: filings are processed at the county complex in Mount Clemens; many local district courts also accept walk-ins.
- • Oakland County: the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac handles most civil and family matters; e-filing through MiFILE is required for many filings.
- • Wayne County: the 3rd Circuit Court in Detroit and the 36th District Court each have separate filing windows and rules — confirm before you go.
Procedures and fees vary by county and may change. We prepare documents based on the information you provide; final filing acceptance is determined by the court.
Understanding michigan expungement paperwork in Michigan
An expungement (set aside) makes most public-facing references to the conviction unavailable. Law enforcement and certain agencies still see the record, but background checks for employment and housing generally will not.
What's eligible
The 2021 Clean Slate Act dramatically expanded eligibility. You can now have multiple convictions set aside, including some felonies. Certain convictions remain ineligible (CSC, life-maximum offenses, traffic offenses causing injury or death, and others).
Waiting periods
Calculated from completion of sentence (including probation/parole). Misdemeanors: typically 3 years. Serious misdemeanors and one felony: 5 years. Multiple felonies: 7 years.
This information is provided for educational purposes only. Statutes, procedures, and court rules change. Clear Path Document Services prepares documents based on the information you provide and is not a law firm.
What's included in your document preparation package
Turnaround: Most applications prepared in 5–10 business days • Pricing: $395–$995 (court filing fees not included)
- Application to Set Aside Conviction (MC 227)
- Proposed Order (MC 228)
- ICHAT exhibit guidance
- Service packets for prosecutor, AG, and MSP
- Hearing prep checklist
- Post-grant filing instructions
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I'm eligible?+
Use our free Expungement Eligibility Checker tool, then we confirm during intake. We do not give legal opinions.
Will the conviction disappear completely?+
Most public records will be cleared. Law enforcement and certain licensing bodies still have access.
How long does it take?+
From filing to order is typically 4–6 months.
Do I have to attend a hearing?+
Yes. The judge needs to consider whether granting the application is consistent with the public welfare.
Can I expunge multiple convictions?+
Yes — under the Clean Slate Act, multiple convictions are eligible, with limits on serious felonies.
What about automatic expungement?+
Some convictions automatically clear after 7 (misdemeanor) or 10 (felony) years; you do not have to apply.
What about traffic offenses?+
Most non-injury misdemeanor traffic offenses are now eligible under recent amendments.
Can I expunge if I'm still on probation?+
No — the waiting period starts when you complete your sentence.
What if my conviction was in another state?+
Michigan can only set aside Michigan convictions.
Will it help with employment?+
Most private employers will not see a set-aside conviction on a background check.
Michigan service areas
Get help with your michigan expungement paperwork
Document preparation assistance, plain-English filing support, and Michigan-specific guidance — without the cost of a full legal representation engagement.
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