How to Remove Your Mugshot from the Internet

Having a mugshot on the internet can affect your job prospects, relationships, and reputation for years. Mugshot sites scrape arrest records from law enforcement agencies and publish the photos online, often alongside your full name, charges, and personal details. Some of these sites used to charge hundreds of dollars for removal. The good news is that many states have cracked down on this practice, and there are now free ways to get your mugshot removed.

Last updated March 18, 2026

> What to do

  1. 1

    Find which sites have your mugshot

    Google your name along with "mugshot" or "arrest." Check sites like mugshots.com, arrests.org, bustedmugshots.com, and justmugshots.com. Also check general data broker sites since some of them pull in arrest records too. Make a list of every site that shows your photo.

  2. 2

    Check your state's mugshot removal laws

    Over 20 states now have laws that prohibit mugshot sites from charging for removal. States like California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas, and Utah have passed laws that require these sites to remove mugshots for free upon request (especially if charges were dropped or you were found not guilty). Look up your state's specific law.

  3. 3

    Submit removal requests directly to the sites

    Most mugshot sites have a removal or unpublish request form. If your state has a removal law, reference it in your request. If charges were dropped, dismissed, or you were acquitted, mention that too. Include your case number and disposition if available. Send the request via email so you have a record.

  4. 4

    Request removal from Google Search results

    Even after the source site removes your mugshot, the image and page may still appear in Google results. Use Google's removal request tool to ask them to remove outdated content. If the source page returns a 404 (page not found), Google will remove it from search results. You can also use the "Results about you" tool for content showing personal information.

    Google Outdated Content Removal →
  5. 5

    Consider legal help for stubborn sites

    Some mugshot sites are operated offshore or simply ignore removal requests. If a site refuses to take down your mugshot and your state has a removal law, an attorney can send a demand letter that usually gets results. Some legal aid organizations offer this service for free if you can't afford an attorney.

> How the mugshot industry works

Mugshot sites operate by scraping arrest records from county jails and law enforcement agencies, which are public records in most states. They publish the booking photo alongside your name, charges, and personal details. The original business model was extortion: pay us and we will take it down. When states started banning this practice, many of these sites moved offshore or rebranded. But the crackdown has been effective. Major mugshot sites now comply with removal requests, especially in states with clear laws. The bigger problem today is that once your mugshot is online, it gets copied to other sites and indexed by Google, which means removal from one site doesn't automatically remove it from everywhere.

> SCAN_NOW

Check what else is published about you online

Search your name to see if data broker sites are linking your mugshot to your personal information, address, and other records.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay to get my mugshot removed?▼
In most cases, no. Many states now prohibit mugshot sites from charging for removal. Even in states without specific laws, most major mugshot sites will remove your photo for free if charges were dropped or you were found not guilty. Never pay a mugshot site without checking your state's laws first.
Can I get my mugshot removed if I was convicted?▼
It is harder but not impossible. Some states' laws only cover cases that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal. However, many mugshot sites will still remove your photo upon request regardless of the outcome. If the conviction was later expunged, you have stronger grounds for removal.
How long does mugshot removal take?▼
Most mugshot sites process removal requests within 1 to 4 weeks. Google removal of cached results can take an additional 1 to 2 weeks after the source page is taken down. Plan for the full process to take about a month.
Will my mugshot come back after I remove it?▼
It can. Some sites re-scrape arrest records and republish mugshots. If this happens, re-submit your removal request and reference any applicable state law. Monitoring your name online helps you catch re-listings quickly.
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