✓ Florida · Manatee County change county
Clearing a record in Manatee 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 cardManatee County Sheriff's Office or Bradenton Police Department — or any law enforcement or criminal justice agency that takes printsTwo places in Manatee County — where to get fingerprinted ↓
- Get a certified disposition of your caseManatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller1115 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205 (map, opens in a new tab) · Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 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? Your application goes to the State Attorney's office first, which completes page 2, the written certified statement.1112 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205 (map, opens in a new tab)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 petitionManatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller1115 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205 (map, opens in a new tab) · Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern time
- The judge rulesManatee 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 Manatee County
From $2,135 + copies
About $339 + copies
About $140 + 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 Manatee County's fees, and mailing — the same whoever prepares your documents
$139.90 + copies, from $75 FDLE · $42 filing · $12.90 mailing · $10 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 Manatee County Clerk criminal court feesChecked September 22, 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$10.00 Manatee County Sheriff's Office record fees — the Sheriff's Office's charge per card for ink prints on FDLE's card — the applicant brings the card, the office prints none; walk-in, a government-issued ID required; business check, cashier's check, money order or cash as the records page prints it (a card taken by phone); another law enforcement or criminal justice agency sets its ownChecked September 22, 2026
- Certified copies$2.00 Manatee County Clerk criminal court fees — per certified document, plus $1.00 per pageChecked September 22, 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 Manatee County take prints on FDLE's card — or use any law enforcement or criminal justice agency that does. Each sets its own price.
Manatee County Sheriff's Office
$10
Operations Center600 Highway 301 Blvd W, Bradenton, FL 34205 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Eastern time (walk-in; closed noon–1 p.m.)(941) 747-3011 x.2295
Bradenton Police Department
$15
City of Bradenton residents only
100 10th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Eastern time (walk-in)(941) 932-9358
The clerk's offices
Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller · manateeclerk.com · (941) 749-1800
The main office
1115 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern time
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 Manatee County.
Talk to a lawyer
- Find an Attorney - Manatee County Bar Association Attorney directoryThe bar association's attorney directory, browsed by area of practice; the bar runs no referral service of its own.
- Across Florida: The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service
Free or low-cost legal help
- Seal and Expunge - Office of the State Attorney, 12th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's guideThe State Attorney's guide to sealing or expunging a record — a guide, not a program: complete the eligibility application, sign it before a notary, and mail it with a self-addressed stamped envelope to the office, which completes the State Attorney's section and mails it back; the Manatee County office is (941) 747-3077.1112 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205 (map, opens in a new tab)(941) 747-3077
- Gulfcoast Legal ServicesManatee Office1111 3rd Ave W, Suite 100, Bradenton, FL 34205 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time (walk-ins closed 12:30–1:30 p.m. Monday–Thursday and after 12:30 p.m. Friday)(941) 746-6151
- Bay Area Legal Services
- Across Florida: Legal Aid - Florida Courts