Oregon Expungement in 2025: What Changed and What Didn't

Oregon's expungement laws keep getting better as lawmakers make it easier for people to get a fresh start. Here's what changed in 2025 and what stayed the same.

What's New in 2025

1. Easier Marijuana Expungement

Oregon has made it even simpler to clear old marijuana convictions for things that are now legal. Many marijuana possession and delivery charges from before legalization can be expunged with little or no waiting.

Key changes:

• Qualifying marijuana convictions committed before July 1, 2015 can be set aside with no waiting period and no clean period requirement under ORS 475C.397
• There is no per-person cap on how many marijuana convictions can be set aside, though each must individually meet the applicable requirements

2. Court Filing Fees Eliminated (Since 2022)

Under SB 397 (effective January 1, 2022), Oregon eliminated court filing fees for set-aside motions. This continues to benefit filers, particularly those pursuing multiple set-asides across different counties.

3. Electronic Filing Available Statewide

Many Oregon counties now let you file expungement petitions online. E-filing can speed things up and save you a trip to the post office, though you can still file by mail in every county.

What Hasn't Changed

Core Eligibility Rules Are the Same

The basic rules for who qualifies under ORS 137.225 haven't changed:

• Class A felonies are still ineligible
• Most sex crimes and crimes against children remain excluded (narrow exceptions exist under ORS 137.225(6)(f))
• Class B person felonies (as classified by the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission) are not eligible
• Most property crimes and drug possession remain eligible

Note: Class C person felonies are not automatically barred by the person felony exclusion. They are evaluated under the standard rules plus any specific exclusions in ORS 137.225(6).

Waiting Periods Haven't Changed

The standard waiting periods are the same as before. Under ORS 137.225, there are four possible waiting periods:

• 1 year for Class B/C misdemeanors, violations, and contempt of court
• 3 years for Class A misdemeanors
• 5 years for Class C felonies
• 7 years for Class B felonies

Class A felonies and traffic offenses (including DUII) remain ineligible for expungement.

The DA Review Process Is the Same

District Attorneys still get 120 days to review your petition and decide whether to object. The court hearing process for contested cases hasn't changed.

OSP Background Check Still Required

You still need a current OSP criminal history report as part of your filing. OSP can take up to 60 days to process fingerprint-based background checks, so it's a good idea to start that step early.

Practical Implications for 2025 Filers

Plan on 4–6 Months

The overall timeline is still 4–6 months from filing to final order. The 120-day DA review alone takes about four months, and OSP processing can add a few weeks up front.

No More Filing Fees

With court filing fees gone, the main costs left are fingerprinting ($15–40) and the OSP background check fee ($33). This makes expungement more affordable than ever, especially if you're filing in more than one county.

Have Old Marijuana Convictions? Now's the Time

If you have marijuana convictions from before legalization, this is a great time to get them cleared. Shorter waiting periods and no filing fees make it easier than it's ever been.

Bottom Line

For most people looking to clear their record in 2025, the basic steps are the same — gather records, file your petition, serve the DA, and wait for approval. The biggest improvements are that court filing fees are gone and e-filing is now available in many counties.