Pardons & Restoration of Rights

Effective January 2, 2024, All applications must be submitted electronically using the link below. An additional link has been provided with a user guide which includes step by step instructions for submitting an electronic application. Paper applications that are postmarked prior to the deadline will be processed. Paper applications postmarked after January 1, 2024, will be returned.

Follow the link to the electronic application.

Please sign into your account to periodically check on the status of your online application. Please also check your email regularly as there may be correspondence requesting additional information.

Friendly user guide for the electronic application.

If you were previously granted a pardon or restoration of rights and you would like a copy of the order, please send an email to: [email protected]. Copies are only available via email. We are unable to mail copies. The emailed copy will be the same as a printed copy. There is no raised seal on the printed copy. Please include your name, date of birth, type of order granted and the year that the order was granted and we will send a copy as soon as time allows. If we cannot locate an order, we will advise via email response. 

To qualify for a Pardon for offenses other than sex offenses which require you to be listed on Georgia’s Sex Offender Registry:

●      You must have completed all sentence(s) at least five (5) years prior to applying.

●      You must have lived a law-abiding life during the five (5) years prior to applying.

●      You cannot have any pending charges.

●      All fines must be paid in full.

To qualify for a Pardon for sex offenses which require you to be listed on Georgia’s Sex Offender Registry:

●      You must have completed all sentences for sex offenses requiring registration at least ten (10) years prior to applying.

●      You must have a psychosexual evaluation conducted within 90 days prior to applying. This evaluation must be uploaded to your online application. A list of approved sex offender treatment providers can be found at the following link: Approved Sex Offender Treatment Providers. All costs are the responsibility of the applicant.

●      You must submit to a disclosure polygraph within 90 days prior to applying. This evaluation must be uploaded to your online application A list of approved polygraph examiners can be found at the following link: Polygraph Examiners. All costs are the responsibility of the applicant.

●      You must provide a current copy of your most recent risk level evaluation as assigned by the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board (SORRB).  

●      You must have lived a law-abiding life during the ten (10) years prior to applying.

●      You cannot have any pending charges.

●      All fines must be paid in full.

Glossary of Terms

Restoration of Civil and Political Rights – This is an order restoring a person’s civil rights which are lost in Georgia upon conviction. These rights include: the right to run for and hold public office, the right to serve on a jury, and the right to serve as a Notary Public. The right to vote is automatically restored upon completion of your sentence(s); therefore, you do not need to submit an application.

Pardon – This is an order of official forgiveness and is granted at the Board’s discretion to those individuals who have maintained a good reputation in their community following the completion of their sentence(s). A Pardon is an official statement attached to the criminal record which affirms that the state of Georgia has pardoned the crime. It does not expunge, remove, or erase the crime from your record. It may serve as a means for an applicant to advance in employment or education.

Pardon including the Restoration of the Right to Bear Firearms – This is an order of official forgiveness that includes the restoration of the right to receive, possess, or transport in commerce a firearm and is granted at the Board’s discretion to those individuals who have maintained a good reputation in their community following completion of their sentence(s).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a restoration of rights and a pardon? Restoration of civil and political rights, if granted, will fully restore citizenship. It removes all civil disabilities and disqualifications imposed as a result of a conviction. These rights include the right to run for and hold public office, to serve on a jury, and to serve as a Notary Public. A Pardon is an act of official forgiveness and is granted only in exceptional cases. It may serve as a means for the petitioner to advance in employment or education. A pardon does not expunge (remove) an offense from your record.

Do I need an attorney to apply? No, you do not need an attorney to apply.

Is there a fee to apply? No, there is no application fee.

How long does it take for my application to be processed? The entire process can be lengthy since all information you provide to us must be verified. On average, processing an application takes approximately six to nine months and may take longer based on the Board’s workload.

What will happen if I cannot obtain my criminal history or dispositions for my convictions? Your application will not be processed without the Georgia criminal history and certified sentence document for any disposition not showing on your record.

When am I eligible to apply for a Pardon? You must have completed all sentence(s) at least five (5) years prior to applying and have lived a law-abiding life since the completion of your sentence(s). You can have no pending charges against you. All fines must be paid in full. HOWEVER, if you are seeking a Pardon for a sex offense which requires you to be listed on Georgia’s Sex Offender Registry, there are additional requirements and you must apply using the Sex Offender Pardon application found on the State Board of Pardons and Paroles' website.

Can I apply for restoration of rights if I have a Dead Docket case(s) on my criminal history? No, you need to have all Dead Docket cases disposed of prior to applying for a pardon, restoration of civil and political rights, or restoration of firearm rights.

Will my conviction still show on my record? Yes, however, the Restoration of Civil and Political Rights, Pardon, and/or Pardon including the restoration of the right to bear firearms will become part of your criminal history record if granted.

How do I get a Record Expungement/Restriction? This is not a function/duty of the Parole Board. To research details regarding a Record Restriction (Expungement), go to OCGA Section 35-3-37 for Georgia law requirements.

Can I apply for a record restriction if I am granted a pardon? Yes, so long as you meet the requirements of O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 (j)(7): "When an individual was convicted in this state of an offense for which that individual has been granted a pardon from the State Board of Pardons and Paroles as provided in the Constitution and Code Section 42-9-42, provided that the offense was not a serious violent felony as such term is defined in Code Section 17-10-6.1 or a sexual offense as such term is defined in Code Section 17-10-6.2, and provided, further, that such individual has not been convicted of any crime in any jurisdiction, excluding any conviction for a nonserious traffic offense, since the pardon was granted, and provided, further, that he or she has no pending charged offenses, he or she may petition the court in which the conviction occurred to restrict access to criminal history record information.

If I receive a Pardon, and then I am asked by an employer or future employer whether I have been convicted of a crime, do I answer “no” since I received a Pardon? You must answer “yes” to your employer or future employer. Explain that you have received a Pardon and provide a copy of your Pardon paperwork.

What is a Restoration of Civil and Political Rights? A Restoration of Civil and Political Rights is an order restoring the rights which are lost in Georgia upon conviction. These include the right to run for and hold public office, to sit on a jury, and to serve as a Notary Public. Restoration of Civil and Political Rights does not automatically include the right to possess, own or carry a firearm; it must be specifically granted by the Board.   

When am I eligible to apply for Restoration of Civil and Political Rights? You must have completed all sentence(s) at least two (2) years prior to applying and lived a law-abiding life since the termination of your sentence(s).

Is a Restoration of Civil and Political Rights a separate process from a Restoration of Firearm Rights? Yes, these are different processes. If you would like to be considered for restoration of your firearm rights, you must click and select an application type that includes firearms restoration and meet the applicable requirements. A personal interview will be required for firearm restorations.

Can I bow hunt even if I do not receive a Pardon or Restoration of Civil and Political Rights? Yes. You may bow hunt without a pardon or restoration of civil and political rights. Please contact your game warden regarding the laws and any stipulations regarding bow hunting.

Is a muzzle loader considered a firearm? Yes, a muzzle loader is considered a firearm.

Can I have my right to legally possess a firearm restored if I have a felony FEDERAL conviction? No. The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles does not have the authority to restore firearm rights on felony federal convictions. You will need to apply for a presidential pardon. More information can be found at www.justice.gov.

Do I have to apply with the Parole Board to restore my right to vote? No. Your right to vote is automatically restored upon termination of your sentence(s). However, you must re-register with your local registrar’s office in the county of your residence.  

Do I need to apply with the Parole Board to restore my right to sit on a jury? Yes, you must apply for a Pardon or Restoration of Civil and Political Rights in order to sit on a jury.

Do I need to apply with the Parole Board to restore my right to run for public office? Yes, you must apply for a Pardon or Restoration of Civil and Political Rights and be granted to run for public office, in addition to meeting any other requirements under state and/or federal law.

Do I need to apply with the Parole Board to restore my right to apply for a Notary Public? Yes, you must apply for a Pardon or Restoration of Civil and Political Rights and be granted to apply to be a Notary Public.

How do I obtain a copy of a pardon or restoration of rights order previously granted by the Board? If you were previously granted a pardon or restoration of rights and you would like a copy of the order, please send an email to: [email protected]. Please include your name, date of birth, type of order granted, and the year that the order was granted and a copy will be sent via email.