Pardons

In Georgia, pardons are issued by the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles, not by the Governor. It requires a detailed application, and has certain minimums, such as having completed your sentence at least five years before applying, not have any pending charges, having not been arrested in the five years prior to applying, and having paid all fines and restitution in full, which are also requirements for record restriction.

A pardon does not expunge an offense from your record. It can restore civil rights, such as the right to run for and hold public office, to serve on a jury, and to serve as a Notary Public. A more detailed pardon application process is required to restore firearms rights. A pardon is not necessary to restore voting rights; once the felony sentence is completed, voting rights are automatically restored, the individual simply has to re-register to vote in their county of residence.