How to Remove Your Mugshot From the Internet in 2026

Mugshot sites operate on a simple and profitable model: they scrape publicly available arrest records, publish them online, and then charge you to remove them. Some sites charge $200 to $400 for a single listing removal. Others have relationships with reputation firms that charge even more.

The good news: you don't have to pay. Many states have laws specifically targeting this practice, and there are legitimate removal routes that don't require paying these sites anything.

Why mugshot sites are legal (and why that's changing)

Arrest records are public information. When you are arrested, that record becomes part of the public court file, and companies are legally allowed to republish public information in most jurisdictions. Mugshot sites have defended this in court successfully — they're not creating the information, they're republishing what's already public.

However, states have started pushing back. As of 2026, Georgia, Texas, Utah, Oregon, Colorado, and several other states have laws specifically requiring mugshot sites to remove listings for free upon request, with penalties for sites that charge. More states are following.

Step 1: Identify every site that has your listing

Search your full name plus "mugshot" and your arrest county in Google. Common sites include Mugshots.com, BustedMugshots, BustedNewspaper, ArrestFacts, JailBase, and dozens of smaller regional sites. Document every URL where your information appears.

Step 2: Send formal removal requests

Most mugshot sites have a removal contact or form. Send a formal written request that includes:

• Your full name as it appears on the listing
• The direct URL of your listing
• Documentation of the case outcome (dismissal, acquittal, or expungement order)
• A citation of your state's mugshot removal statute if one applies
• A clear deadline (10 business days) and a statement that you will file a complaint with your state attorney general if they don't comply

Step 3: File complaints for non-compliant sites

If a site doesn't comply within your stated timeframe, file a complaint with your state attorney general's consumer protection division. In states with mugshot removal laws, this creates regulatory pressure and sometimes triggers investigations. The FTC also accepts complaints about deceptive commercial practices.

Step 4: Remove from Google

Once the underlying content has been removed, request that Google delist the cached page. Use Google's outdated content removal tool at search.google.com/search-console/remove-outdated-content. If your arrest was expunged, you may also qualify for removal under Google's policy on expunged or sealed records.