✓ Florida · DeSoto County change county
Clearing a record in DeSoto County
Where each step happens, what it costs, and who can help.
Your steps
Six steps, from prints to the judge's order.
- Optional: see your own record firstFDLE personal review — FDLE says up to 30 working days
- Get your fingerprint cardDeSoto County Sheriff's Office — or any law enforcement or criminal justice agency that takes printsOne place in DeSoto County — where to get fingerprinted ↓
- Get a certified disposition of your caseDeSoto County Clerk of the Circuit Court115 E Oak St, Room 101, Arcadia, FL 34266 (map, opens in a new tab) · Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern time (closed noon–1 p.m.)
- Apply to FDLE for your certificate of eligibilityThe Florida Department of Law EnforcementYour application, signed before a notary or a deputy clerk, with your fingerprint card, the certified disposition and the fee · FDLE says about 12 weeksExpunging? The State Attorney's office for the 12th Judicial Circuit completes page 2 of the application, the written certified statement.The law, in plain language: § 943.0585 (expunging) · § 943.059 (sealing)
- An attorney prepares your petition We prepare your petition documents You prepare your petition documents Attorney An attorney creates the documents and handles the filing Expeal We create the documents for you to file DIY You create the documents yourself
- File your petitionYour attorney files your petitionDeSoto County Clerk of the Circuit Court115 E Oak St, Room 101, Arcadia, FL 34266 (map, opens in a new tab) · Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern time (closed noon–1 p.m.)
- The judge rulesDeSoto County, 12th Judicial CircuitIf the petition is granted, the certified order goes to FDLE
What it costs
Every figure, with its source and the date we checked it.
Your costs in DeSoto County
From $2,130 + copies
About $334 + copies
About $135 + copies
A private attorney represents you
Expeal prepares your documents
You prepare your documents yourself
Who prepares your documents
The attorney price is one Florida firm's published entry price.
What everyone pays
Florida's and DeSoto County's fees, and mailing — the same whoever prepares your documents
$134.90 + copies, from $75 FDLE · $42 filing · $12.90 mailing · $5 fingerprints · $2 + $1/page copies
Every figure and its source (8)
- Expeal$199 Expeal's published price — we create the documents, you file themChecked September 29, 2026
- An attorney$1,995+ Erase the Case — Erase Pro — the entry package; more for other packagesChecked September 27, 2026
- Doing it yourself$0 You prepare the documents yourself
- FDLE certificate$75 Fla. Stat. § 943.0585(2)(a)4. / § 943.059(2)(a)3. (2025); FDLE Certificate of Eligibility Instructions — paid to FDLE with the certificate-of-eligibility application · § 943.0585 (expunging) / § 943.059 (sealing)Checked August 17, 2026
- Filing$42 Fla. Stat. s. 28.24(26) (2025)Checked September 7, 2026
- Mailing$12.90 USPS Priority Mail flat rate prices — per envelope; the same price to any U.S. address, whatever the packet weighsChecked September 7, 2026
- Fingerprints$5.00 DeSoto County Sheriff's Office fingerprinting services — the Sheriff's Office's local fee, by appointment, an ORI code required; FDLE's processing fee is separate (the page: "For the exact price of FDLE processing fee call the Records Division"); another law enforcement or criminal justice agency sets its ownChecked September 7, 2026
- Certified copies$2.00 DeSoto County Clerk filing fees — per certified document, plus $1.00 per pageChecked September 7, 2026
See whether your record qualifies Free · a few minutes · in your browser — nothing is stored
See if I qualify →Where to get fingerprinted
One place in DeSoto County takes prints on FDLE's card — or use any law enforcement or criminal justice agency that does. Each sets its own price.
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office
$5
Records Division208 E Cypress St, Arcadia, FL 34266 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8–11 a.m. Eastern time (by appointment)(863) 993-4700 x.2236 or x.2237
The clerk's offices
DeSoto County Clerk of the Circuit Court · desotoclerk.com · (863) 993-4876
The main office
115 E Oak St, Room 101, Arcadia, FL 34266 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern time (closed noon–1 p.m.)
In their words
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I was terrified of getting mixed up with the legal system again, but I knew I had to clear my record to get a promotion at work. Thanks to Expeal for making it so easy and anonymous because I was able to take my time and gain the confidence I needed to face the court one last time.
Verified user — Florida · used the free guide
Help near you
Lawyer referral, and free or low-cost legal help, for DeSoto County.
Talk to a lawyer
- Across Florida: The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service
Free or low-cost legal help
- Across Florida: Legal Aid - Florida Courts