What is the difference between absolute and provisional pardons?
If you are granted an absolute pardon, the Board of Pardons gives you an unconditional pardon certificate and, more importantly, your criminal arrest and conviction records are erased from public view. You are free to say you have never been arrested or convicted of a crime or offense in Connecticut and you are entitled to not disclose your pardoned criminal arrest and conviction record to employers or anyone else. You will be able to deny having had a Connecticut criminal record for purposes of international travel with a valid passport. A provisional pardon is much more limited and does not provide these same advantages. If you are granted a provisional pardon, the Board of Pardons gives you a provisional pardon certificate. A provisional pardon is intended to remove barriers that might otherwise make you ineligible for or disqualify you from employment or a license, permit or certificate required to be issued by the state for you to pursue, practice, or engage in an occupation, trad