New Virginia Laws 2026: What You Should Know About the Clean Slate Law and Record Sealing

New Virginia laws in 2026 will bring significant changes for individuals with criminal records, including the Virginia Clean Slate law taking effect on July 1, 2026. This new Virginia record-sealing law allows for criminal conviction sealing for the first time and represents one of the most impactful Virginia law changes in 2026. This new record sealing law creates fresh opportunities to improve employment, housing, and licensing prospects.

Overview of Virginia’s 2026 Clean Slate Law

Beginning July 1, 2026, Virginia will implement the Clean Slate law, a significant reform that allows many individuals to have eligible criminal records sealed from public view. Under this law:

• Eligible records will not show up on most standard background checks used by employers, landlords, and licensing agencies.
• This record sealing builds on existing expungement rights for non-convictions, but for the first time includes conviction record sealing options.
• Certain misdemeanor and felony convictions can be sealed, either through automatic processes or by petition to a Virginia circuit court.

Virginia’s Clean Slate law is different from traditional expungement, which has historically applied only to non-convictions (like dismissals or acquittals). The 2026 Clean Slate reforms allow some convictions — for example certain misdemeanors and lower-level felonies — to be sealed, giving individuals a genuine second chance at moving on with their lives.

How Record Sealing Works Under the New Law

The Clean Slate law includes both automatic sealing and petition-based sealing:

• Automatic sealing (no court petition required) will occur for certain misdemeanor convictions and non-convictions once statutory requirements and waiting periods are met.
• Petition-based sealing allows individuals to petition a circuit court to seal qualifying convictions, including some Class 5 and Class 6 felonies, subject to eligibility criteria like time since conviction and no new criminal history.

Automatic sealing can begin once seven years have passed since certain convictions, and additional requirements govern eligibility and waiting periods. Petition-based sealing requires filing with the appropriate Virginia circuit court and may involve service on the Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Check Your Record Sealing Eligibility

Why the Clean Slate Law Matters

In practical terms, sealing a record under the new law means:

• You may legally respond “no” to criminal record questions on many employment applications.
• Certain convictions that formerly remained visible on background checks for life can become hidden from public inspection.
• This can improve opportunities for employment, housing, education, and many other aspects of daily life.

The shift from traditional expungement to this expanded record sealing framework represents the most significant criminal record relief reform in Virginia’s history.

What You Can Do Now

The effective date of July 1, 2026 gives Clean Slate Virgina time to:

• Review your criminal history and determine if past convictions or non-convictions might qualify for record sealing.
• Prepare necessary documents, including petitions and supporting affidavits, before filing once the law is in effect.
• Learn more about specific eligibility rules and deadlines that may impact your case.

Because record sealing is a legal process with precise eligibility requirements, many Virginians benefit from legal guidance. Clean Slate Virginia has been advising clients on both traditional expungement and the coming 2026 record-sealing law and can help you understand whether and how the new law applies to your situation.

Learn More and Get Help

To explore how Virginia’s 2026 Clean Slate law might affect you — including whether your record may be eligible for sealing — contact Clean Slate Virginia for a confidential consultation and a personalized review of your record today.