✓ Florida · Sarasota County change county
Clearing a record in Sarasota 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 cardSarasota County Sheriff's Office — or any law enforcement or criminal justice agency that takes printsTwo places in Sarasota County — where to get fingerprinted ↓
- Get a certified disposition of your caseSarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller2000 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34237 (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? Your application goes to the State Attorney's office first, which completes page 2, the written certified statement.2071 Ringling Blvd, Suite 400, Sarasota, FL 34237 (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 petitionSarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller2000 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34237 (map, opens in a new tab) · Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern timeThe clerk also has a branch — addresses and hours ↓
- The judge rulesSarasota 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 Sarasota County
From $2,140 + copies
About $344 + copies
About $145 + 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 Sarasota County's fees, and mailing — the same whoever prepares your documents
$144.90 + copies, from $75 FDLE · $42 filing · $12.90 mailing · $15 fingerprints · $2 + $1/page copies
Fingerprints: Sarasota County residents, or people who work in the county — 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 Sarasota County Clerk sealing and expungement 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$15.00 Sarasota County Sheriff's Office fingerprinting page — the Sheriff's Office's charge per person for prints other than a concealed-weapon permit's ($5.00 for those) — on the FBI-258 card it provides, or the applicant's own; ink or electronic prints; walk-in; for Sarasota County residents and non-residents who work in the county; cash only; another law enforcement or criminal justice agency sets its ownChecked September 24, 2026
- Certified copies$2.00 Sarasota County Clerk sealing and expungement 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
Two places in Sarasota County take prints on FDLE's card — or use any law enforcement or criminal justice agency that does. Each sets its own price.
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office
$15
Sarasota County residents, or people who work in the county
Headquarters6010 Cattleridge Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34232 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Eastern time (walk-in; closed holidays)(941) 861-4240
South County Office4531 Annex Rd, Venice, FL 34293 (map, opens in a new tab)Tuesday 9 a.m.–noon and Thursday noon–3 p.m. Eastern time (walk-in; closed holidays)(941) 861-4240
The clerk's offices
Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller · sarasotaclerk.com · (941) 861-7400
The main office
2000 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34237 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time
1 branch — addresses and hours
Venice Branch Office4004 S Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5 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 Sarasota County.
Talk to a lawyer
- Attorney Referral - Sarasota County Bar Association Attorney directoryThe bar association directory by practice area; the page also lists The Florida Bar referral service and the area legal aid providers.
- 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 Sarasota office, or bring it there in person; the office completes the State Attorney's section and returns it — the Sarasota office is (941) 861-4400.2071 Ringling Blvd, Suite 400, Sarasota, FL 34237 (map, opens in a new tab)Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time(941) 861-4400
- Gulfcoast Legal ServicesSarasota Office1750 17th St, Building C-3, Sarasota, FL 34234 (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)(800) 230-5920
- Bay Area Legal Services
- Across Florida: Legal Aid - Florida Courts