Seal and Expunge in Manatee County
The courts in Manatee County, FL, issue administrative orders to deal with local issues that arise in criminal cases. The main rules for the expunction or sealing of criminal cases are found in Sections 943.0585 and 943.059, Florida Statutes, and Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.692.
Section 943.0583, Florida Statute, explains the expunction process for victims of human trafficking and is governed by different statutory criteria. Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.692 explains that the relief sought under sections 943.0585 and 943.059, Florida Statutes must be made by written petition and filed with the clerk of court.
Under Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.525, documents that are court records must be filed by electronic transmission. The specific document must be identified by instrument number in the expunction or sealing order before removal.
As of August 31, 2022, Administrative Order 2022–12.3 explains the local rules for the expunction or sealing of criminal history records.
The filing fee is fixed pursuant to section 28.24(26), Florida Statutes. Additionally, the clerk imposes other costs associated with the sealing or expunction of a criminal case that are variable.
Attorney to Seal or Expunge in Manatee County, FL
Our attorneys can help you file a petition to expunge or seal a record in Manatee County, FL, with the required affidavits, and certificates.
After we file the petition, we can contact the Clerk of Court to determine whether there are any unpaid court-related fees, charges, restitution and costs that must be paid.
Once any financial obligations are paid to the clerk, we can help you obtain the “Certificate of Compliance with Financial Obligations” which is docketed into the case.
For more information, call 813-250-0500.
Language Required to Seal or Expunge in Manatee County, FL
The administrative rules to seal or expunge a case in Manatee County, FL, require that any order sealing or expunging a criminal case shall include language providing:
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- That all costs associated with the sealing or expunging of the case were paid, specifically identifying the docket identification number (DIN) for the Clerk’s Certificate of Compliance in Manatee County; and
- That any petition filed pursuant to s. 943.059, F.S. or s. 943.0585, F.S., is accompanied by a valid Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and specifically identifying the Certificate by the accompanying DIN.
Any petition and subsequent order sealing or expunging a case shall identify any recorded documents to be removed from the Official Records by instrument number. If no such recorded documents are to be removed, the petition and order shall specify same. Only identified recorded documents will be removed from the County’s Official Records.
The Clerk is authorized to open any sealed or expunged court file for the purpose of filing documents pertinent to the particular file, as well as for imaging.
This Administrative Order does not apply to petitions for expunction pursuant to section 943.0583, Florida Statutes, relating to the expungement of criminal history records of victims of human trafficking.
This article was last updated on Friday, February 27, 2026.
