✓ Florida · Polk County change county

Clearing a record in Polk County

Where each step happens, what it costs, and who can help.

Your steps

Six steps, from prints to the judge's order.

  1. Optional: see your own record firstFDLE personal review — FDLE says up to 30 working days
  2. Get your fingerprint cardPolk County Sheriff's Office or Bartow Police Department — or any law enforcement or criminal justice agency that takes prints11 places in Polk County — where to get fingerprinted ↓
  3. Get a certified disposition of your casePolk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller255 N Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830 (map, opens in a new tab) · Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern time (closed holidays)
  4. Apply to FDLE for your certificate of eligibility (for expungement, with the state attorney's or statewide prosecutor's statement)The Florida Department of Law EnforcementYour application, signed before a notary or a deputy clerk, with your fingerprint card, the certified disposition and the fee (unless FDLE's executive director waives it) · FDLE says about 10 weeksExpunging? The State Attorney's office for the 10th Judicial Circuit (or the statewide prosecutor) completes page 2 of the application, the written certified statement, if your record meets the criteria.The law, in plain language: § 943.0585 (expunging) · § 943.059 (sealing)
  5. We prepare your petition documents Expeal We create the documents for you to file
  6. File your petitionPolk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller255 N Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830 (map, opens in a new tab) · Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern time (closed holidays)The clerk also has 2 branches — addresses and hours ↓
  7. The judge rulesPolk County, 10th Judicial CircuitIf the petition is granted, the clerk sends certified copies of the order to the state attorney (or the statewide prosecutor) and the arresting agency, and it goes on to FDLE, the FBI and every other agency that received your record

What it costs

Every figure, with its source and the date we checked it.

Your costs in Polk County

About $334 + copies

Expeal prepares your documents

Who prepares your documents

The attorney price is one Florida firm's published entry price.

What everyone pays

Florida's and Polk 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

Fingerprints: $5 for Polk County residents; $20 if you live elsewhere.

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. (2026); FDLE Certificate of Eligibility Instructions — paid to FDLE with the certificate-of-eligibility application · § 943.0585 (expunging) / § 943.059 (sealing)Checked October 25, 2026
  • Filing$42 Polk County Clerk fees pageChecked September 24, 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 Polk County Sheriff's Office fingerprinting page — the Sheriff's Office's charge per card for Polk County residents ($20.00 for non-residents) — ink prints on the applicant's own card at any of its ten locations, by appointment; cash, check, card or online; another law enforcement or criminal justice agency sets its ownChecked September 24, 2026
  • Certified copies$2.00 Polk County Clerk fees page — per certified document, plus $1.00 per pageChecked September 24, 2026

See whether your record qualifies Free · a few minutes · in your browser — nothing is stored

See if I qualify →

Where to get fingerprinted

11 places in Polk County take prints on FDLE's card — or use any law enforcement or criminal justice agency that does. Each sets its own price.

Polk County Sheriff's Office

$5

$5 for Polk County residents; $20 if you live elsewhere

Sheriff's Operations Center1891 Jim Keene Blvd, Winter Haven, FL 33880 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time (by appointment; ink or electronic prints)(863) 298-6200

Northwest District Office1045 Wedgewood Estates Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33810 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time (by appointment; ink or electronic prints)(863) 577-1600

Northeast District Office1100 Dunson Rd, Davenport, FL 33896 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time (by appointment; ink or electronic prints)(863) 236-3900

Southeast District Office4011 Sgt Mary Campbell Way, Lake Wales, FL 33853 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time (by appointment; ink or electronic prints)(863) 678-4170

Southwest District Office4120 US Hwy 98 S, Lakeland, FL 33813 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time (by appointment; ink or electronic prints)(863) 499-2400

Central District Office3635 Avenue G NW, Winter Haven, FL 33811 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time (by appointment; ink prints only)(863) 297-1100

Dundee Sheriff's Station135 Main St, Dundee, FL 33838 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time (by appointment; ink prints only)(863) 438-9540

Frostproof Sheriff's Station111 1st St W, Frostproof, FL 33843 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time (by appointment; ink prints only)(863) 635-7848

Fort Meade Sheriff's Station15 1st St NW, Fort Meade, FL 33841 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time (by appointment; ink prints only)(863) 285-1100

Mulberry Sheriff's Station104 S Church Ave, Mulberry, FL 33860 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time (by appointment; ink prints only)(863) 354-6545

Bartow Police Department

$20

City of Bartow residents only

450 N Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time (the lobby's hours)(863) 534-5034

The clerk's offices

Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller · polkclerkfl.gov · (863) 534-4000

The main office

255 N Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern time (closed holidays)

2 branches — addresses and hours

Lakeland Government Center930 E Parker St, Room 240, Lakeland, FL 33801 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern time (closed holidays)

Northeast Government Center200 Government Center Blvd, Lake Alfred, FL 33850 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern time (closed holidays)

In their words

  • 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 Polk County.

Talk to a lawyer

Free or low-cost legal help

More ways to get help →

Reviewed by Expeal