How Do You Get a Pardon in Pennsylvania?

You get a pardon in Pennsylvania by applying to the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, which reviews the application, has the Department of Corrections investigate, decides at a merit review whether you get a public hearing, and then votes on whether to recommend clemency to the Governor, who makes the final decision. The Board says there are no specific eligibility requirements to apply, the application can now be filed online, and applicants should expect to wait a few years for a decision.

A granted pardon now clears the record without a second court filing. The Board of Pardons states that as of June 11, 2024, records related to offenses pardoned by the Governor are expunged without further action by the applicant, and Community Legal Services of Philadelphia's Clean Slate 3.0 guide explains that Act 36 of 2023 sends unconditionally pardoned records through an automatic expungement process processed quarterly, while conditionally pardoned cases are sealed instead. Older guidance, including the Board's own printed Guide to Pardons, told applicants they had to petition the court for expungement after a pardon. This post covers what a pardon does, how the application works, the expedited review option, timing and costs, and how a pardon compares with other record relief.

What Does a Pardon Do in Pennsylvania?

A pardon is an act of clemency by the Governor that forgives a criminal conviction and restores rights and opportunities the conviction took away.

The Board of Pardons' Guide to Pardons lists rights and privileges restored after a pardon, including:

• Holding public office

• Employment in fields such as nursing, education, security and the legal professions

• Serving on a jury

• Volunteering with your children's school and activities

• Military service

• Owning and carrying a firearm

• International travel

Because pardoned records are now expunged automatically, the Board notes that a person can answer "no" when later asked about the pardoned arrest or conviction on forms.

When Is a Pardon Worth Pursuing?

A pardon is a long process, so it helps to be clear about the goal before you start. A pardon is worth weighing when a conviction is blocking something specific, such as a job offer, a professional license, a volunteer role at a child's school, military service or a firearm purchase. The Board's list of restored rights maps closely onto those goals.

Write down what the conviction is costing you today and what would change if it were cleared. That list becomes the core of your application narrative, and it gives the Board a concrete reason to act. It also helps you decide whether a faster form of relief, such as expungement or sealing, would solve the same problem.

Who Can Apply for a Pardon?

The Board's application page states that "there are no specific requirements" to apply. Applicants are encouraged to show how they have changed and grown since the offense.

In practice, the application asks for the court records of each case, which the Board lists as:

• The criminal complaint and affidavit of probable cause

• The criminal information or indictment

• The final plea or verdict

• The sentencing order

• Documentation of your financial obligation status, such as fines, costs and restitution

Applicants who are currently incarcerated do not need to submit the court documents.

How Does the Pardon Process Work?

The Board of Pardons describes the process in six steps:

1. Submit your application. Since June 17, 2025, the Board has offered a fully online application, along with a Spanish-language version.

2. Application review. Board staff review and process the application.

3. Investigation. The Department of Corrections investigates the case.

4. Merit review. The Board decides whether the application should receive a public hearing.

5. Public hearing and vote. The Board hears the case and votes on whether to recommend clemency.

6. Governor's decision. If the Board recommends the case, the Governor makes the final decision.

For applicants serving life sentences, the Board must vote unanimously to recommend clemency. The Board is chaired by the Lieutenant Governor.

What Is Expedited Review?

Expedited review is a faster track for older, nonviolent convictions. According to the Board, you may qualify if enough time has passed since your last contact with the criminal justice system:

• 5 years if you have only one case involving misdemeanor retail theft or misdemeanor marijuana possession

• 10 years if you have only one criminal case of any type

• 15 years if you have multiple criminal cases

The Board's 2025 announcement says it implemented automatic expedited review for all applications in July 2023. Expedited review still requires the standard application, and the Board notes it does not promise a public hearing or a grant of clemency.

How Long Does a Pardon Take and What Does It Cost?

Timing varies. The Board's current process page says applicants "can expect to wait a few years for a decision."

On cost, the Board's Guide to Pardons states that application fees were eliminated so that financial obligations are no longer a barrier. The Board's application page lists no fee. Your own costs are mostly the time to gather court records and, if you hire a lawyer, legal fees.

A careful application matters because the merit review decides whether you ever reach a hearing. Clear court records, a full explanation of the offense, and documentation of employment, education, treatment, family and community involvement give the Board a complete picture.

Is a Pardon Better Than Expungement or Record Sealing?

They solve different problems, and the right tool depends on the record.

• Expungement removes certain records that meet Pennsylvania's statutory rules, such as many cases that did not end in a conviction. Our post on getting a criminal record expunged in Pennsylvania explains who qualifies.

• ARD is a pretrial diversion program with its own path to clearing a record. See what ARD is and whether it could clear your record.

• A pardon can clear a conviction that expungement rules do not reach, and it now brings automatic expungement of the pardoned record.

If you are still in an active case, a pardon is not the next step. Challenging the conviction comes first, as covered in our post on appealing a criminal conviction in Pennsylvania.

Pardons and Firearm Rights

A conviction can create a firearm disability under Pennsylvania law. Among the rights the Board lists as restored after a pardon is owning and carrying a firearm. Firearm rights can also be restored through a court petition in some cases, which is a separate process. Our firearms rights restoration page explains the options the firm handles.

FAQ

Is there a fee to apply for a pardon in Pennsylvania?

The Board of Pardons' Guide to Pardons says application fees were eliminated, and the current application page lists none.

How long does a Pennsylvania pardon take?

The Board says applicants can expect to wait a few years for a decision. Expedited review can shorten the process for older, nonviolent cases.

Does a pardon erase my record in Pennsylvania?

Yes, for pardons granted by the Governor. The Board states that as of June 11, 2024, records of pardoned offenses are expunged without further action by the applicant.

Who makes the final decision on a pardon?

The Governor. The Board of Pardons only recommends cases; the Governor decides whether to grant clemency.

Can I apply online?

Yes. The Board launched a fully online application on June 17, 2025, along with a Spanish-language application.

Do I need a lawyer to apply for a pardon?

No, but a lawyer can help gather court records, explain the offense clearly and prepare you for the public hearing.

Talk to Bolkovac Law Offices About a Pennsylvania Pardon

Bolkovac Law Offices helps clients prepare pardon applications and pursue other record relief across Western Pennsylvania. Attorney Mark D. Bolkovac was admitted to practice in Pennsylvania in 2002 and was appointed to the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing in 2024. The firm has offices in Greensburg, Indiana, Murrysville and Uniontown and offers free telephone consultations. Learn more about our pardon services and our criminal defense practice.

Visit Bolkovac Law Offices or call 724-837-2626 today. Contact us for more information.

The information in this article is for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different and outcomes depend on the specific facts involved. To discuss your situation, contact Bolkovac Law Offices at 724-837-2626.