Family Court Records Showing Online: Divorce, Custody & Privacy Protection
Family court records - covering divorce, custody, child support, domestic violence, and child welfare proceedings - are among the most sensitive categories of court records. Most states restrict public access to family court files to protect children and encourage candor in sensitive proceedings. Yet some family court information does reach the internet, often through court portal name search indexes, vital statistics records, or news coverage. When family court information appears in Google, it can create serious privacy and safety concerns.
By Anthony WillEst. 2013Published May 27, 2026Read time: 10 min
We remove court records from Google — you only pay after it's gone.
No upfront paymentNo retainerA+ BBB Rated5,000+ cases handledIn business since 2013Only pay for results100% confidential
Public filings within restricted cases: Some documents in otherwise restricted family court cases may be publicly filed (certain protective orders, judgment of divorce)
Most people in your position reach out right here.
You've already done the hard part - finding out what's out there. We handle the rest: every platform removal, Google de-indexing, background check database, and AI search result. No upfront cost. Completely confidential. Learn more about expungement vs. record sealing on our blog.
Your record is probably showing in more places than you realize - and each one can be addressed.
Most people who reach out to us had no idea how many places their record had spread. Justia, Google Scholar, UniCourt, background check sites - each one a new place where employers, landlords, or dates might find you. A free scan shows you exactly where you stand, so you can do something about it.
Removing Family Court Information from the Internet
Court portal: If case index information appears publicly, contact the court clerk to confirm what should be restricted under your state's family court rules
Data broker opt-outs: Remove marriage/divorce data from people-search sites that draw from vital statistics
Seal motion: For particularly sensitive cases, petition to seal the case file or specific documents
Safety-based de-indexing: For domestic violence cases, Google has provisions for removing information that poses safety risks
Publication outreach: For news articles, contact the outlet with context and a request for removal or de-indexing
Free Consultation
Is your family court record showing online? Find out — free.
Tell us about your situation and a removal specialist will personally review it and respond within one business day. No pressure, no obligation.
No upfront payment — you only pay if we succeedA+ BBB Rated · 5,000+ Cases Handled · Since 2013100% Confidential · Response within 1 business day
Frequently Asked Questions
Are family court records public?
Generally no - family court records are more restricted than other types of court records in most US states. Custody, child support, child abuse, and adoption records are typically confidential. Divorce records occupy a middle ground - the fact of divorce is often public but detailed file contents may be restricted. The level of restriction varies significantly by state. Contact your state's family court or consult with a family law attorney for specific rules.
How do I remove family court information from Google?
Start by identifying the source appearing in Google - court portal, data broker site, news article, or vital statistics database. For court portals showing case index information, contact the court clerk. For data broker sites, submit opt-out requests. For domestic violence situations where personal safety is at risk, Google has specific provisions for removing information posing safety risks. For news coverage, contact the publication directly with a privacy or safety-based request.
Can a custody order be sealed?
Portions of custody proceedings - particularly sensitive evaluations, reports, or documents containing children's identifying information - can be sealed by court order. Courts are more willing to seal documents within family court cases than in general civil litigation, given the protective purposes of family court confidentiality. The final custody order itself, being a publicly enforceable document, may be more difficult to seal entirely.
Are domestic violence records public?
Domestic violence protective orders (TROs, restraining orders) are generally public records because their enforcement depends on law enforcement and courts being able to verify them. The underlying petition and file supporting the order may be more restricted. Some states limit online searchability of protective orders for victim safety reasons. If you are a victim with safety concerns about the accessibility of court records related to your case, consult with a victim advocate or attorney.
How do I hide a divorce from appearing in Google?
Divorce information typically reaches Google through court portals and data broker sites. Addressing data broker sites (Spokeo, BeenVerified, etc.) through opt-out requests can remove marriage/divorce information from those specific platforms. For court portals, the case index may be publicly visible even if the file itself is restricted - contact the court clerk about whether your state's family court confidentiality rules apply. Google de-indexing requests can target specific pages displaying sensitive information.