Confidential. Evidence-Based. Policy-Driven.

Remove or reduce the visibility of an old mugshot online.

Mugshot and arrest-record websites can publish photos that shape your search results for years — sometimes long after a record has been sealed, dismissed, or expunged. We work through each website’s removal process and applicable search-engine policies to address what’s eligible.

An old arrest can keep costing you long after the case is closed.

Mugshot publishers index arrest records and rank them in Google under your name. For people with sealed, expunged, dismissed, or never-charged records, that visibility is doing real harm — to jobs, housing, relationships. We help individuals understand what’s removable, what isn’t, and how to address what is.

What Qualifies

What Mugshot-Related Content May Qualify

What Does Not Qualify

How We Work

A clear, evidence-based process — not a vague promise.

Free Case Review

We review the content, the platform, and the available evidence at no charge. There is no charge for this initial review.

Eligibility Assessment

We identify possible policy violations, document the strongest grounds, and outline a realistic removal strategy with expected timelines.

Evidence-Based Escalation

We submit structured removal requests through the platform’s official reporting channels, with supporting documentation tailored to each policy.

Verified Removal Proof

When removal is achieved, we provide documented confirmation. You only pay after verified removal on qualifying cases.

Why Removal Lab

Structured like a case file. Not a generic marketing campaign

Confidential.

Every case is handled privately. Your information stays with your case team.

Policy-based.

We work through official platform reporting channels using documented evidence — never workarounds.

Evidence-backed.

Strong cases come from strong documentation. We build the file before we submit.

Aligned incentives.

No upfront payment on qualifying removal cases. You pay after verified removal where eligible.

Built for both sides.

Individuals, executives, and businesses — same standards, same process.

Documented removals.

When removal is achieved, you receive documented confirmation for your records.

See if your case qualifies — at no cost.

A specialist reviews your situation privately, tells you honestly what may qualify under platform policy, and explains the path forward. No upfront payment on qualifying removal cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my mugshot really be removed from the internet?

Sometimes. It depends on whether the case was dismissed, sealed, or expunged; whether the website has a removal policy; and what your jurisdiction’s privacy framework allows. We tell you honestly during the free assessment.

What about mugshots showing up on Google?

Even when a source page is hard to remove, Google’s own outdated content tool and certain privacy frameworks can sometimes reduce search visibility. We address removal at the source and search visibility separately.

Is paying mugshot websites legal?

Some publishers charge “removal fees” — and many U.S. states have laws restricting this practice. We work through publishers’ legitimate, free removal policies first and advise on any costs in writing before any commitment.

What if my record was expunged?

Expungement strengthens your case meaningfully. Many publishers and search platforms have policies that respond specifically to expunged or sealed records.

Is this confidential?

Yes. Every case is handled privately by your case team.

Can you guarantee my mugshot will be removed?

No reputable provider can. We can guarantee a thorough, documented attempt — and that you don’t pay for unsuccessful qualifying cases.

Start With a Confidential Case Review

Timelines depend on the platform, content type, evidence, and review process. Some cases move quickly, while others require multiple escalations. We review the case first and explain the likely path before moving forward.

Mugshot removal: free routes, site rules and state laws in one place

Want an old mugshot gone without paying the site that posted it? Mugshot removal usually starts with three free routes: the site's own removal policy, your state law and Google's request for sites that charge for removal. Removal Lab checks each link for free, tells you which route fits and asks for no upfront payment on qualifying cases. The site, the court or Google always makes the final decision.

Key fact	What the official sources say
Who can take the photo off the page	Only the site owner
Who can take it off Google	Google, through its request for sites with exploitative removal practices or the Refresh outdated content tool
Google's three conditions	You are a subject of the page, the site is not a business review site and the site requires payment to remove the content
Sites that say removal is free	Mugshots.com, RecentlyBooked and JailBase, each under its own rules
State laws we checked	12 states with fee bans, fee caps or free removal deadlines
Shortest legal deadlines	7 calendar days in Louisiana. Also 7 calendar days in Utah and Oregon with proof of a cleared case. 10 calendar days in Florida

What the big mugshot sites say about removal

Many people assume every mugshot site wants money. Several large ones say otherwise, so read their policies first.

Mugshots.com

Mugshots.com says it does not charge for removing or updating mugshots and arrest records in its database. It only removes a record with an expungement, a seal, a no information, a record restriction, identity theft or death. Other outcomes, such as a dismissal, are handled as updates to the record rather than removals.

Send court documents signed by a judge and sealed by the court. Include your Mugshots.com ID. The site says the process can take up to 10 business days and requests are handled first come first served.

RecentlyBooked

RecentlyBooked says its records come from public county sheriff records and that an arrest does not mean guilt. It says it does not charge fees for removal, suppression or changes and does not accept payment for removals. It removes or updates records for dismissed charges, expunged or sealed records, wrong or outdated details, the wrong person, juvenile records and duplicate entries.

Requests go by email and must include the record URL, your full name, the arrest date, the state and county, the reason and any legal documents. It does not publish a timeline.

JailBase

JailBase says it offers a free opt out for anyone who does not want their arrest information on the site. The opt out takes effect 30 days from the request. Under the heading No Paid Removals, it says it has never accepted money to remove records.

Arrests.org and BustedNewspaper

Both sites blocked our checks, so we do not describe their policies. If either asks you for money, use the Google request and your state law below.

How to ask Google to remove a mugshot page

Google has a policy for sites with exploitative removal practices. It will consider removing a page from its results when all three conditions in the table above are true.

List every page. Copy the URL of each page that shows your mugshot. Google only reviews the URLs you list.
Take screenshots. Use the same device you will use for the request. Google says you can edit them so only your face shows.
Start the request. On Google's help page, select Start removal request.
Explain the payment. Add each URL and explain how the site is exploitative, for example by pointing to where it asks for money.
Send it. If Google agrees, the URL no longer appears in its search results.

The page itself can still be found elsewhere. Once a site deletes the page, use Refresh outdated content: select Request refresh, enter the URL on the Page tab and select Submit. If your case does not fit Google's policy, Google points you to a request under local law through its Legal Help Center.

What mugshot removal can and cannot reach

Usually can be removed	Usually stays
A page on a site that demands payment, through Google	The same page on other search engines
A Mugshots.com record after an expungement or seal	A Mugshots.com record for other outcomes, which is updated instead
A RecentlyBooked record for a dismissed, sealed or wrong record	Accurate, current records that are still public
A photo covered by a free removal law in your state, once you qualify	News reports. Georgia's law, for example, does not cover newspapers, periodicals, radio or television
An old Google snippet after the page is gone	Police and court records until a court seals them

Mugshot laws by state: the ones we checked

We only list laws we read on an official state site. Other states have rules too.

State	Fee rule or free removal	Deadline or remedy	Source
California	No fee to remove, correct or stop publishing a booking photo	$1,000 per violation or actual damages, whichever is greater	Civil Code section 1798.91.1
Florida	No fee. Written request by registered mail to the registered agent	10 calendar days. A court can then order $1,000 a day	Florida Statutes section 901.43
Georgia	Free removal for 8 listed case outcomes	30 days	Georgia Attorney General, Mugshot Websites
Illinois	No fee to remove, correct or change criminal record information	Errors fixed within 5 business days of a certified mail demand, or $100 a day	Consumer Fraud Act, section 2QQQ
Kentucky	No commercial use of a booking photo when removal needs a fee	A court may award $100 to $500 a day	Kentucky Revised Statutes section 61.8746
Louisiana	Free removal with proof of a cleared case	7 calendar days	Code of Criminal Procedure article 234
Missouri	No fee to remove or correct criminal record information	$10,000 or actual and punitive damages, whichever is greater	Revised Statutes of Missouri section 407.1150
Oregon	Fee capped at $50. Free with proof of a cleared case	30 calendar days, or 7 calendar days with proof	Enrolled House Bill 3273
South Carolina	Free removal if charges were discharged, dismissed or expunged, or you were found not guilty	30 days	Act 132 (Senate Bill 255)
Texas	No fee to fix inaccurate records. No publishing after an expunction or nondisclosure order	Investigation within 45 business days	Senate Bill 1289
Utah	Fee capped at $50. Free with proof of a cleared case	30 calendar days, or 7 calendar days with proof	Utah Code title 17, chapter 72, section 802
Virginia	Asking for money to remove the record makes the site liable	Actual damages or $500, whichever is greater	Code of Virginia, civil action over criminal history record information

This table is general information, not legal advice. For what these routes cost in practice, read our guide to mugshot removal cost.

Evidence that helps a mugshot removal request

The court order. A sealing or expungement order is the strongest proof you can send.
The case outcome. A dismissal or not guilty disposition, signed and sealed if the site asks.
Proof of identity. Florida asks for it with each request.
The exact URLs and screenshots. Google and South Carolina both ask for them.
Arrest details. Georgia, South Carolina and RecentlyBooked ask for the arrest date.
Proof of delivery. Certified or registered mail receipts prove when it arrived.

If you still need to clear the record itself, start with court record removal. A sealed record opens most of the routes on this page.

What to do if a site or Google says no

Fix the gap. Many refusals come from missing proof. Send the court order or the missing detail and ask again.
Use your state law. If a legal deadline passes, the laws above give you a claim. In Georgia, the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division handles complaints.
Clear the record. Sealing or expungement turns many refusals into removals. See also removing personal information from Google and news article removal.

How Removal Lab works

Send the link. WhatsApp, email or the two field form. Two minutes, no long questionnaire.
Free policy check. A specialist reads it against the platform rules and tells you honestly whether it qualifies.
We build and file the case. The right policy, the right channel, the evidence attached. We handle the appeal too.
Pay only when it is gone. No upfront payment on qualifying cases. If the platform says no, you owe nothing.

What we will never do

Promise a removal. The platform decides, not us.
Post fake reviews or pay anyone to delete a review.
Pressure, threaten or try to identify a reviewer.
Charge an upfront fee on a case that does not qualify.

Ready to start your mugshot removal?

Send the links. We review them in confidence and reply within one business day. No upfront payment on qualifying cases.

Request a confidential case review

Frequently asked questions

How do I get my mugshot removed for free?

Start with the site's own removal policy, your state law and Google's request for sites that charge for removal. Mugshots.com, RecentlyBooked and JailBase all say they do not charge to remove records that meet their rules.

Will Google remove my mugshot?

Google will consider it if you are a subject of the page, the site is not a business review site and the site requires payment for removal. If Google agrees, the URL drops out of its results.

Does Mugshots.com remove mugshots for free?

Mugshots.com says it does not charge for removing or updating records. It only removes a record with an expungement, seal, no information, record restriction, identity theft or death, backed by court documents.

Does RecentlyBooked charge to remove a mugshot?

No. RecentlyBooked says it does not charge fees for removal. It removes or updates records for dismissed charges, sealed or expunged records, wrong details and the wrong person.

How do I remove my mugshot from JailBase?

JailBase says it offers a free opt out that takes effect 30 days from the request. It says it has never accepted money to remove records.

Which states make mugshot sites remove photos for free?

Among the laws we checked, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and South Carolina set free removal routes with deadlines. Utah and Oregon make removal free within 7 calendar days when you send proof of a cleared case.

Can I remove a mugshot if I was convicted?

It is harder. Most free removal laws and site policies cover dismissed, acquitted, sealed or expunged cases. Sealing or expungement, if you qualify, opens most routes.

Does an expunged record remove my mugshot automatically?

No. Send a copy of the court order to each site. In Texas, a business that charges for removal may not publish records it knows are under an expunction or nondisclosure order.

Can a news site be made to remove my mugshot?

Usually not through mugshot laws. Georgia's law, for example, does not cover newspapers, periodicals, radio or television, so ask the editor for an update instead.

Can Removal Lab remove my mugshot?

Removal Lab cannot delete anything itself. We review your links for free, file the right requests and follow up, with no upfront payment on qualifying cases.

Sources: Google Search Help, exploitative removal practices, Google Search Help, refresh outdated content, Mugshots.com Record Maintenance, RecentlyBooked mugshot removal policy, RecentlyBooked FAQs, JailBase about page, California Civil Code section 1798.91.1, Florida Statutes section 901.43, Georgia Attorney General, Mugshot Websites, Illinois Consumer Fraud Act section 2QQQ, Kentucky Revised Statutes section 61.8746, Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure article 234, Revised Statutes of Missouri section 407.1150, Oregon Enrolled House Bill 3273, South Carolina Act 132, Texas Senate Bill 1289, Utah Code title 17, chapter 72, section 802 and Code of Virginia, civil action over criminal history record information. Removal Lab does not work for Google or any mugshot site. Every decision is made by the platform.