---
title: "How long does an expungement take in Rhode Island?"
description: "Once the waiting period has run, most Rhode Island expungement motions take 2 to 4 months from filing to a signed order. The clerk sets a hearing date, notice goes to the Attorney General and the..."
url: https://bankandmunns.com/faq-items/how-long-does-an-expungement-take-in-rhode-island/
date: 2026-07-18
modified: 2026-09-30
author: "Bank and Munns"
type: avada_faq
lang: en
---

# How long does an expungement take in Rhode Island?

Once the waiting period has run, most Rhode Island expungement motions take 2 to 4 months from filing to a signed order. The clerk sets a hearing date, notice goes to the Attorney General and the police department that brought the charge, and the hearing itself is usually short when no one objects. An objection adds time, often pushing the case to 6 months or more while both sides prepare. After the order issues, agencies need a few more weeks to remove the record from their systems, and private background check companies can lag further. The waiting period before you can file is the longer clock: 5 years for a first misdemeanor, 10 years for 2 to 5 misdemeanors or a single felony, and 15 years for 2 to 4 non-violent felonies under the 2026 law, all measured from the date the sentence was fully completed.