Mugshot Removal: How to Get Your Arrest Record Off Google (2026 Guide)

Your mugshot is showing up on Google. Every time someone searches your name, there it is. Doesn’t matter if the charges were dropped, dismissed, or you were found not guilty. The photo stays online until you do something about it.

Here’s the good news. You can get mugshots removed from Google and the internet. The process depends on where the image lives, what happened with your case, and which state you’re in. Some removals take a single email. Others need a lawyer. This guide walks you through every option, what each one costs, and which approach makes the most sense for your situation.

How do mugshots end up on Google?

Most people don’t realize this. Arrest records are public information in most U.S. states. The moment you’re booked, your mugshot becomes part of the public record. That’s not the problem.

The problem is an entire industry built around exploiting that fact.

Mugshot websites scrape booking photos from county jail databases and publish them online. Sites like BustedMugshots, Mugshots.com, and dozens of others collect these images and make them searchable by name. Some of them charge you hundreds of dollars just to take your own photo down. Others sell ad space around your booking photo.

Google indexes these pages because they’re publicly available content. So when someone Googles your name, your arrest photo can show up on the first page of results, sometimes for years after the incident.

The original booking record might live on your county sheriff’s website or a state law enforcement database. But the copies are what cause the most damage. One arrest can generate dozens of duplicate mugshot pages across different sites, each one ranking independently in search results.

Can Google remove mugshots directly?

Yes, and this is the first tool you should use.

Google has a specific process for removing mugshots from search results. It won’t delete the photo from the website that hosts it, but it will de-index the page so it no longer appears when someone searches your name.

Go to Google’s removal request tool and file a request. If the mugshot appears on an exploitative site that charges for removal (or profits from publishing arrest photos), Google will often de-index the page from search results.

Google will consider removing mugshots on exploitative sites that charge fees for removal, arrest records that never led to a conviction (charges dropped, dismissed, or acquitted), expunged or sealed records that should no longer be public, and personal information tied to the mugshot like your home address or date of birth.

Two types of requests work here. The personal information removal request covers mugshots on exploitative sites and works well for photos tied to those pay-to-remove operations. The legal removal request is your stronger path if the mugshot involves defamatory content or violates a court order like an expungement.

Google typically responds within a few days to a few weeks. If approved, the page disappears from Google search results. It won’t show up when someone searches your name.

What are the 7 proven methods to remove your mugshot?

1. Request mugshot removal directly from the source

Start here. Many mugshot sites have removal request forms or contact emails. Some will take photos down for free, especially if your case was dismissed or you were acquitted, you can show proof of expungement, or the site operates in a state with mugshot removal laws.

Send a clear, professional email. Include your full name, the URL of the page with your mugshot, and any supporting documentation (dismissal papers, expungement order, etc.). Keep the tone firm but polite.

Some sites respond within days. Others ignore you. And yes, some will try to charge you anywhere from $50 to $500 per removal. Don’t pay removal fees if your state has laws against this practice (more on that below).

2. Use Google’s removal tools

Even if the source website refuses to cooperate, Google can remove the page from search results. This doesn’t delete the mugshot from the internet, but it stops it from showing up when people search your name.

File both a personal information removal request and a legal removal request if applicable. The more documentation you provide, the faster Google acts.

3. Check your state’s mugshot removal laws

This is where many people miss a huge advantage. Over 18 states now have laws that either restrict mugshot websites or require them to remove photos under certain conditions.

States with strong mugshot removal protections include California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Utah, among others. The specifics vary. Some states ban charging for removal entirely. Others require sites to remove photos within 30 days of a written request if the charges didn’t result in a conviction.

Look up your state’s laws. If you’re in a state with protections, cite the specific statute in your removal request. This turns a polite ask into a legal obligation.

4. Get your record expunged or sealed

Expungement is the most powerful long-term solution. When a court expunges your record, it’s as if the arrest never happened. Sealed records aren’t fully erased but are hidden from public access.

Once you have an expungement or sealing order, everything changes. You can send the court order directly to mugshot sites and they’re legally required to comply. You can pair it with Google’s legal removal request for faster de-indexing. And data brokers and background check companies have to remove the record too.

The process varies by state and charge type. Some states allow expungement for dismissed cases almost automatically. Others require a waiting period or a petition to the court. An attorney can tell you if you qualify and handle the paperwork, which typically costs between $500 and $2,500 depending on complexity.

5. Hire a mugshot removal service

Professional removal services handle the entire process for you. They contact websites, file removal requests, submit Google de-indexing requests, and follow up until the mugshot is gone.

Costs range from $500 to $5,000 depending on how many sites have your mugshot and how difficult they are to work with. Some services charge per-site, others offer flat-rate packages.

When you’re choosing a service, pay attention to how they explain their process. Vague promises are a red flag. Good services give you realistic timelines (most removals take 2 to 6 weeks, not overnight), offer a guarantee or refund if they can’t get the mugshot removed, and don’t demand full payment before they start working. Ask for references or reviews from past clients.

Be careful out there. Any company that promises removal from every site in 24 hours is lying. Same goes for services that won’t explain their methods or demand full payment upfront with zero refund policy. The mugshot removal space has its own share of scammers. For a comparison of reputable services, check out our review of reputation management companies.

6. Work with a lawyer

Sometimes you need legal muscle. A lawyer makes sense when mugshot sites refuse to comply with your state’s removal laws, when you need to pursue an expungement or sealing order, when the mugshot is part of a larger defamation or harassment situation, or when you’re dealing with a site that’s extorting you for payment.

Attorneys who specialize in internet privacy or criminal record expungement know the fastest paths to removal. They can send cease-and-desist letters that carry real weight and file lawsuits if necessary.

Legal fees typically run $1,000 to $5,000 for straightforward mugshot removal cases. Expungement adds another $500 to $2,500 on top of that. It’s not cheap, but for cases where DIY and professional services haven’t worked, it’s often worth the investment.

7. Push the mugshot off page one with suppression

Sometimes removal isn’t possible. Maybe the site is hosted overseas, beyond the reach of U.S. laws. Maybe the arrest resulted in a conviction and doesn’t qualify for expungement yet.

In these cases, suppression is your backup plan. The goal is to push the mugshot off the first page of Google results by building stronger, more positive content that ranks above it.

This means building out your LinkedIn profile with a complete work history and recommendations. Creating or claiming your Google Knowledge Panel. Publishing professional content on medium-authority sites like industry blogs and guest posts. Building your personal website with your name as the primary keyword. Getting active on professional platforms relevant to your industry.

It takes time. Usually 3 to 6 months before the mugshot drops off page one. But it works, and the positive content you build protects you from future reputation issues too. For a deeper look at this approach, check out our guide on removing negative links from Google.

How much does mugshot removal cost?

The cost depends entirely on which path you take.

DIY removal requests are free. You’re doing the work yourself, sending emails, filling out forms, filing Google requests. It just takes time and persistence.

Google de-indexing is also free. File through Google’s removal tools and wait for a response.

State law-based removal costs nothing if you handle it yourself. Writing a letter citing the relevant statute is straightforward. A lawyer can do it for $200 to $500 if you want professional backing.

Expungement runs $500 to $2,500 in legal fees plus court filing fees that vary by state. It’s the most expensive upfront option but also the most permanent solution.

Professional removal services charge $500 to $5,000 depending on the number of sites and difficulty of removal.

Attorney-led removal typically costs $1,000 to $5,000, not including expungement if needed.

Most people start with free options (DIY requests and Google tools), then escalate to paid services if those don’t fully solve the problem. The expungement route is often worth the investment because it gives you the strongest legal basis for demanding removal everywhere.

What about mugshots on news sites?

News articles about your arrest are a separate challenge. Unlike mugshot scraper sites, legitimate news outlets have First Amendment protections. Google is far less likely to de-index a real news article, even if the charges were later dropped.

Your options here are more limited, but they exist.

Contact the editor directly. Some newspapers will update articles to reflect case outcomes (charges dropped, acquittal, etc.) or add a note. They rarely delete articles entirely, but an update can change the tone of what people find.

Request de-indexing for old articles. If the article is several years old and the case was resolved in your favor, Google may consider it outdated content that no longer serves the public interest.

Use suppression. Build enough positive content to push the news article off page one. This is often the most realistic approach for news coverage.

Hire a reputation management firm. Companies that specialize in online reputation management have established relationships with media outlets and know which ones are most receptive to updates or removals.

How long does mugshot removal take?

It depends on your approach.

Direct requests to websites can work in as little as a few days, though some sites take weeks to respond or simply ignore you.

Google de-indexing typically takes 1 to 4 weeks from the time Google approves your request.

Expungement varies wildly by state. Some take a few weeks, others take several months due to court scheduling and court backlog.

Professional removal services usually get results in 2 to 6 weeks for most sites, though stubborn ones take longer.

Suppression is the slowest path at 3 to 6 months to push a mugshot off Google’s first page.

The fastest approach is usually a combination. File direct removal requests and Google de-indexing requests at the same time while a professional handles the harder sites.

Can a removed mugshot come back?

Yes, and it happens more often than people expect. Removal isn’t always permanent. Mugshot sites can re-scrape public records. New copycat sites pop up. And if your arrest record still exists in public databases, it can resurface.

Protect yourself after removal.

Set up Google Alerts for your name. You’ll get an email anytime new content mentioning your name appears online. This gives you early warning if a mugshot resurfaces.

Monitor your search results monthly. A quick Google search of your full name takes 30 seconds. Do it regularly so you catch any new mugshot pages before they gain traction in search results.

Keep your expungement documents handy. If you’ve had your record expunged, save digital copies of the court order. You’ll need them for any future removal requests.

Maintain your positive web presence. The content you build during suppression serves as ongoing protection. Keep your LinkedIn, personal website, and professional profiles active and updated.

FAQ

Q: Can I remove a mugshot if I was convicted?

Removal is harder with a conviction, but not impossible. Some professional services can still get mugshots de-indexed from Google, and you may qualify for expungement after a waiting period depending on your state and the type of offense.

Q: Are mugshot removal websites legitimate?

Some are, and some are scams. Look for companies with verifiable reviews, transparent pricing, and a clear refund policy. Avoid anyone who guarantees overnight results or won’t explain their process.

Q: How do I know which mugshot sites have my photo?

Google your full name (in quotes) along with terms like “mugshot,” “arrest,” or “booking.” Check the first 3 to 5 pages of results. You can also use a people-search site like BeenVerified or Spokeo to find additional listings.

Q: Will removing my mugshot from Google also remove it from Bing and Yahoo?

No. Google’s removal tools only affect Google search results. You’ll need to file separate removal requests with Bing (through their content removal tool) and any other search engines where the mugshot appears.

Q: Can my employer find my mugshot even after removal?

If the mugshot is removed from Google and the hosting website, most standard background checks won’t surface it. But some deep background checks pull directly from court records, so expungement is the most thorough protection.

Q: Is it illegal for websites to post mugshots?

Posting mugshots is generally legal because arrest records are public information. What some states have made illegal is the practice of charging people to remove their own mugshots. Over 18 states now have laws targeting this pay-to-remove model.