A mugshot taken during an arrest can follow you for years — appearing on dedicated mugshot websites, people search sites, and Google search results — even if the charges were dropped or you were found not guilty. Here's a practical guide to getting your mugshot removed from the internet.
The Scale of the Problem
The average arrested person's mugshot appears on 5 to 10 different websites. These sites scrape booking photos from county jails and law enforcement databases, then publish them online where they're indexed by search engines. Some sites have historically charged fees to remove photos — a practice now banned in at least 18 states.
Step 1: Get Your Record Expunged or Sealed
If your charges were dropped, dismissed, or you were found not guilty, the strongest first step is to get your criminal record expunged or sealed through the court system. This gives you legal documentation that strengthens your removal requests to websites.
Important: Expungement clears official law enforcement databases but does not automatically remove content from third-party websites. You'll still need to request removal from each site individually.
Step 2: Find Every Site With Your Mugshot
Search your name on Google, Bing, and other search engines — both with and without the word "arrest." Make a comprehensive list of every URL where your mugshot appears. Common mugshot sites include:
- Mugshots.com
- Arrests.org
- JailBase.com
- MugshotsOnline.com
- BustedNewspaper.com
Step 3: Submit Removal Requests
Each site has its own removal process:
- MugshotsOnline.com: Click "Remove This Mugshot" under your photo, fill out the form, and deletion is typically instant — no payment or documentation required.
- Mugshots.com: Navigate to "Record Removals/Updates," note your record number, and email your request with legal documents attached. Free with court documentation. Takes up to 10 business days.
- Arrests.org: Has a hidden opt-out process. Select reasons such as "arrest sealed/expunged" or "charges dropped." Processing takes 5 to 30 days.
For all sites, include copies of your expungement order, case dismissal, or other supporting legal documents.
Beware of Removal Scams
Some mugshot sites are connected to removal companies, profiting on both ends. Some firms remove listings only to let them reappear months later unless you pay ongoing fees. Never pay a site to remove your own mugshot — in many states, charging for removal is illegal.
Step 4: Request Removal From Google
After the source sites have removed your mugshot, use Google's "Remove Outdated Content" tool to request that Google refresh its cache. Google will also consider removing results that appear on sites primarily designed to exploit individuals through pay-for-removal schemes.
Google typically updates its index within 7 to 14 days, though the full process can take up to 30 days. Google will not remove content that appears on legitimate news, education, or government websites.
Know Your State Laws
State laws regarding mugshot publication vary significantly. Some states provide strong protections:
- Texas (SB 509): Makes mugshots confidential by default — only releasable if convicted, a fugitive, or a public threat. Violators face $1,000+ per violation plus attorney's fees.
- Florida: Requires mugshot sites to remove photos within 10 days of a request, regardless of case outcome. Non-compliance carries a $1,000/day civil penalty. Charging for removal is prohibited.
- California (SB 1027): Makes it illegal to accept payment to remove mugshots.
- Georgia: Requires mugshot sites to remove photos free of charge within 30 days.
- Utah: Requires removal within 7 days if charges were dropped.
If you're in a state with mugshot removal laws, cite the specific statute in your removal request for added legal weight.
Federal Policy
In 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice revised policy to restrict public release of federal mugshots (FBI, DEA arrests), citing privacy and due process concerns.
When Full Removal Isn't Possible
If some sites refuse to remove your mugshot, you can pursue SEO suppression as a last resort. This involves creating positive content, building authoritative backlinks, and maintaining active social media profiles to push mugshot results further down in search rankings.
Professional Help
The mugshot removal process can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with multiple sites and varying state laws. PrivacyOn can help by removing your personal information from 100+ data broker and people search sites that may also display arrest records and mugshots. Our automated monitoring ensures your data stays removed over time, giving you a fresh start online.