✓ Florida · Lake County change county
Clearing a record in Lake 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 cardLake County Sheriff's Office or Tavares Police Department — or any law enforcement or criminal justice agency that takes printsTwo places in Lake County — where to get fingerprinted ↓
- Get a certified disposition of your caseLake County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller550 W Main St, Tavares, FL 32778 (map, opens in a new tab) · Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time
- 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 5th 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 petitionLake County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller550 W Main St, Tavares, FL 32778 (map, opens in a new tab) · Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern timeThe clerk also has 2 branches — addresses and hours ↓
- The judge rulesLake County, 5th 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 Lake County
From $2,125 + copies
About $329 + copies
About $130 + 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 Lake County's fees, and mailing — the same whoever prepares your documents
$129.90 + copies, from $75 FDLE · $42 filing · $12.90 mailing · $0 fingerprints · $2 + $1/page copies
Fingerprints: Lake County residents only — elsewhere, the agency that fingerprints you sets its own fee.
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 Lake County Clerk criminal court feesChecked September 21, 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$0.00 Lake County Sheriff's Office fingerprinting page — the Sheriff's Office's public fingerprinting is free for Lake County residents only (a Florida ID with a Lake County address required — non-residents are not served): up to three cards, ink or electronic, then $20.00 each; cash only; the office supplies the card; by appointment, booked online; the state's fee for an electronic submission is separate; another law enforcement or criminal justice agency sets its ownChecked September 21, 2026
- Certified copies$2.00 Lake County Clerk court data and records fees — per certified document, plus $1.00 per pageChecked September 21, 2026
See whether your record qualifies Free · a few minutes · in your browser — nothing is stored
See if I qualify →Where to get fingerprinted
Two places in Lake County take prints on FDLE's card — or use any law enforcement or criminal justice agency that does. Each sets its own price.
Lake County Sheriff's Office
Free
Lake County residents only
Historic Lake County Courthouse317 W Main St, Tavares, FL 32778 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time (by appointment, booked online; except holidays)(352) 343-9885
The clerk's offices
Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller · lakecountyclerkfl.gov · (352) 742-4100
The main office
550 W Main St, Tavares, FL 32778 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time
2 branches — addresses and hours
North Lake Branch Office902 Avenida Central, Lady Lake, FL 32159 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern time (closed noon–1 p.m.)(352) 253-4575
South Lake Branch Office290 Citrus Tower Blvd, Suite 116, Clermont, FL 34711 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern time (closed noon–1 p.m.)(352) 253-4589
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 Lake County.
Talk to a lawyer
- Member Directory - Lake County Bar Association Attorney directoryThe bar association's member roster, searchable by name, practice area and city; the bar runs no referral service of its own.
- Across Florida: The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service
Free or low-cost legal help
- Community Legal ServicesTavares Office226 W Main St, Tavares, FL 32778 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time (by appointment)(352) 343-0815
- Across Florida: Legal Aid - Florida Courts