Puerto Rico

Adult Criminal Record Clearance Overview

Adult criminal records for certain convictions can be eliminated from the Criminal Record Certificate.  

If you were convicted of a misdemeanor, the record can be eliminated from the Criminal Record Certificate six months after you complete your sentence. You must file a petition with the police superintendent to start the process. It is up to the police superintendent whether to grant your petition.
If you were convicted of a felony, the record can be eliminated from the Criminal Record Certificate five years after you complete your sentence. You must file a petition in court to start the process. It is up to the judge whether to grant your petition.

  Adult criminal records for certain pre-judgment probation can be returned once you complete your program.  

If you successfully complete pre-judgment probation for a first-time drug possession offense, the police record is returned after you are acquitted, and the charges are dismissed.

Likely not eligible to be eliminated or returned.

Adult Criminal Record Clearance Policies

Convictions

Records relating to a felony conviction can be eliminated from the Criminal Record Certificate five years after sentence completion, so long as the person has not committed another crime, has a good reputation in the community, and has given a DNA sample, if required. P.R. Laws Ann. tit. 34, § 1725a.
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Records relating to a misdemeanor conviction can be eliminated from the Criminal Record Certificate six months after sentence completion, so long as the person has not committed another crime and has a good reputation in the community. P.R. Laws Ann. tit. 34, § 1725a.
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Diversion/Deferral Program

Records of fingerprints and photographs in possession of the Police of Puerto Rico are returned following the dismissal after a successful completion of pre-judgment probation in a first-offense drug possession case. P.R. Laws Ann. tit. 24, § 2404 (b)(1).
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Juvenile Record Clearance Overview

Court Records

Below is a general overview of when juvenile records can be destroyed in Puerto Rico. Please note that the Clean Slate Clearinghouse does not provide legal advice.

Read the legal policies and statutes for detailed statutory information.   

Juvenile Record Clearance Policies Overview  

Law enforcement records that are related to your interactions with police should be automatically destroyed when you turn 18. You should not have to do anything to get the record destroyed.

  Find a Lawyer

If you think you might be eligible to have your record destroyed, find a lawyer who may be able to help you. Some lawyers might help you for free, although you may still need to pay a fee to file the paperwork in court.

Juvenile Record Clearance Policies

Law Enforcement Records

Any record of a minor in the custody of the police or the district prosecuting attorney will be destroyed when the minor reaches 18 years of age. P.R. Laws Ann. tit.34, § 2237(e).
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Find A Lawyer

Legal service providers located in the state.

Contact information for legal aid organizations, bar associations, and other organizations that engage in record clearance work is provided for informational purposes only. The NRRC does not endorse or recommend any organization or individual referenced on the site. If you are a legal service provider who offers record clearance services, please contact us.

Servicios Legales de Puerto Rico

Court Forms & Resources

Puerto Rico: Expungement of Criminal Record