A pardon is different from a dismissal or ordinary record erasure and is handled through Connecticut’s pardon process rather than the criminal trial court deciding the original case.
Last reviewed: August 20, 2026
Employment, professional licensing, housing and other opportunities can all be affected by a criminal history. A pardon application should therefore tell the complete story of the record and the person’s rehabilitation since the most recent offense.
The current Board of Pardons and Paroles process is electronic. Applicants should gather an accurate criminal history and the documents required by the Board before beginning the application.
Absolute Pardon: if granted, it results in erasure of the applicant’s Connecticut adult criminal record covered by the pardon.
Certificate of Employability: this is employment and licensing relief. It does not erase convictions. The Board also describes it as a Provisional Pardon or Certificate of Rehabilitation in its materials.
The Board currently states that a person may apply three years after disposition of the most recent misdemeanor conviction and five years after disposition of the most recent felony conviction. A pending case, current supervision, or a nolle that has not yet cleared can prevent eligibility.
The Board states that a nolle remains for thirteen months for pardon-eligibility purposes. Applications are processed continuously through the ePardons system.
Work history, education, treatment, community involvement, family responsibilities, references and the applicant’s explanation of the offense and rehabilitation can help present the full person rather than a list of convictions. The Board retains discretion, and no lawyer can promise that a pardon will be granted.
Sources checked August 20, 2026: Board of Pardons and Paroles — Eligibility Board of Pardons and Paroles — FAQs
Connecticut’s pardon system includes different forms of relief with different consequences. An Absolute Pardon concerns the criminal record itself, while a Certificate of Employability is aimed at reducing certain employment or licensing barriers without erasing the conviction. The right choice depends on the record, eligibility, the person’s goals, and whether the relief sought is erasure or a more limited certificate.
The Board considers the record in context. Applicants should be prepared to present accurate disposition information and a coherent account of rehabilitation, employment, education, family responsibilities, community involvement, treatment where relevant, and the reasons relief is sought. Eligibility rules and Board procedures should be checked against the current Board of Pardons and Paroles instructions before filing because requirements can change.