Nevada Record Sealing Waiting Periods
Before a Nevada court will seal a criminal record, the law requires that a set waiting period has elapsed since the sentence was completed. The length of that period depends on the category of the offense.
Nevada law sets the waiting period based on the category of the offense, not the circumstances of the individual case. The clock starts when the sentence is fully completed — meaning release from custody, completion of parole or probation, or closure of the case — not at the time of arrest or conviction. Miscalculating this is one of the more common reasons petitions run into trouble.
Once a record is sealed, it is deemed never to have occurred. In most situations you may lawfully state that you have never been arrested or convicted of the sealed matter. Your rights to vote, hold office, and serve on a jury are restored immediately upon sealing. Firearm rights are a separate matter and require a pardon, not a sealing order.
Cases that were dismissed or acquitted carry no waiting period under NRS 179.255 and can be sealed as soon as the court has entered the outcome. Charges that a prosecutor declined to pursue follow a different timeline — either after the statute of limitations has run, eight years from the date of arrest, or by agreement of the parties.
What you need to know
Clock starts at sentence completion
The waiting period runs from release from custody or discharge from parole or probation — not from the date of conviction or arrest. Open cases stop the clock entirely.
All cases must be eligible
Nevada seals records as a complete package. One ineligible or still-pending case blocks sealing of older records that have already satisfied their waiting periods.
Outstanding fees will block filing
Unpaid jail fees, probation fees, or house arrest costs must be resolved before a petition can move forward. Active warrants also prevent sealing entirely.
Important caveat
A new conviction resets the clock
You must remain conviction-free throughout the waiting period, minor traffic violations excepted. A new conviction either extends your wait or requires that the new matter become eligible and be sealed alongside the older record before anything proceeds.
Not sure whether your waiting period has elapsed or whether anything is blocking your eligibility?
Free Consultation →Waiting periods by offense
| Offense | Wait |
|---|---|
| Dismissed or Acquitted Charges | No waiting period |
| Non-Felony DUI (NRS 484C.110) | 7 years |
| Non-Felony Battery Domestic Violence | 7 years |
| All Other Misdemeanors | 1 year |
| Gross Misdemeanor | 2 years |
| Misdemeanor Battery, Harassment, Stalking, Violation of Protective Order | 2 years |
| Category E Felony | 2 years |
| Category B, C, or D Felony | 5 years |
| Category A Felony, Crime of Violence (NRS 202.876), Burglary (NRS 205.060) | 10 years |
| Charges Prosecution Declined to Prosecute | After statute of limitations, or 8 years from arrest, or by agreement |
Cannot be sealed
The following offenses are permanently ineligible under Nevada law regardless of time served or rehabilitation.
| Felony DUI | Ineligible |
| Sexual Offenses | Ineligible |
| Crimes Against Children (NRS 179D.0357) | Ineligible |
| Home Invasion with Deadly Weapon | Ineligible |