(CNS): The Cayman Islands Government has dropped the $25 fee for expungement applications and declarations of expungement. A release from the Ministry of Home Affairs said this would advance rehabilitation by ensuring that access to a clean criminal record is “not discouraged by modest but meaningful financial barriers”.
According to the release, this move will only cost the government about $1,000 per year, based on an average of 40 applications, which is immaterial when considering the public benefit of reducing barriers to reintegration given the circumstances of many of those seeking to lawfully clear their names on spent convictions.
The Criminal Records (Spent Convictions) (Application for Expungement) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 pave the way for anyone to make an expungement application or seek a declaration without paying the previous non-refundable fee.
The Criminal Records (Spent Convictions) Act provides a legal pathway for certain convictions to become spent after prescribed rehabilitation periods, subject to the criteria set out in the law. Once eligible convictions become spent, people can apply for expungement of the relevant criminal record, helping to reduce barriers to employment, education, social participation, and reintegration into the community, the release said.
Those applying for expungement may already face economic hardship, social stigma and reduced employment opportunities. Removing the fee makes the process simpler, more accessible, and more aligned in supporting lawful second chances.
Home Affairs Minister Nickolas DaCosta said the amendment reflects a people-focused approach to rehabilitation and reintegration. “It’s a simple but meaningful change. If a person is eligible under the law and has taken the necessary steps toward rehabilitation, a small application fee should not stand in the way of their progress,” he said.
“By removing this barrier, we are supporting fairness, dignity, and increased access to opportunities for people seeking to rebuild their lives and positively contribute to our community.
“When we make rehabilitation more accessible, we strengthen families, reduce barriers to employment, and support safer, more resilient communities. It is a practical reform that reflects compassion, common sense, and confidence in the power of second chances,” the minister added.
The amendment is also expected to improve administrative efficiency. Under the previous process, applicants were required to make payment through a separate government channel, obtain proof of payment, and submit that receipt with their application. Removing the fee eliminates unnecessary steps for both applicants and administrators.
The change will make the expungement process more affordable and accessible for eligible applicants. In the medium term, improved access to expungement can help more individuals pursue employment, education, and other opportunities by reducing barriers linked to past convictions.
Over time, the amendment will support rehabilitation, reintegration, and stronger communities by helping eligible people progress and contribute positively to Caymanian society, the ministry said.
All existing legal eligibility requirements remain in place. The removal of the fee does not change which convictions qualify for expungement, the role of the Expungement Board, or the legal criteria that must be satisfied. It simply removes the application cost for eligible persons seeking to access the process.
