How to Remove a Mugshot from Google (2026 Guide)

Why Mugshots Appear in Google

Mugshots are booking photos taken by law enforcement at the time of arrest. They are public records in most states - accessible through the arresting agency's records and often published on county sheriff's websites. From there, they flow to the internet through two main pathways: For more information, visit the FTC mugshot sites.

• Mugshot aggregator websites: A cottage industry of websites systematically download mugshots from public law enforcement sources and republish them in searchable databases optimized for Google. Mugshots.com, BustedMugshots, Arrest.org, and dozens of similar sites operate this model.
• Local law enforcement sites: Many county sheriff's offices publish recent bookings on their official websites, which are indexed by Google. These are harder to remove but typically show recent arrests (older records may cycle off).

Mugshot aggregator sites are particularly problematic because they're specifically optimized to rank for searches combining a person's name with terms like "arrest," "mugshot," or their city. Learn more about expungement vs. record sealing on our blog.

The Mugshot Website Industry

The mugshot website industry has faced significant legal and regulatory scrutiny over the past decade, leading to meaningful changes in the landscape: For more information, visit the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

• Several states have enacted laws prohibiting mugshot sites from charging removal fees - classifying such practices as extortion or deceptive trade practices
• Google changed its search ranking algorithm to deprioritize mugshot sites in search results (though they can still rank for specific name searches)
• Major credit card processors cut off payments to some mugshot sites that charged removal fees, significantly disrupting their business models
• Despite these pressures, many mugshot sites continue to operate and many have free (but often slow) removal processes

State Laws: Anti-Extortion Statutes

Platform-by-Platform Approach

Google Personal Information Removal Tool for Mugshots

Google updated its policies to allow removal requests for images that appear in exploitative contexts. For mugshots specifically, Google's Personal Information Removal Tool allows requests for: For more information, visit the Google removal tool.

• Images of people in contexts designed for harassment or harm
• Arrest photos where no conviction occurred
• Images associated with expunged or sealed records

The process: visit Google's Personal Information Removal Tool, select "Images" as the content type, choose the relevant reason, and submit the specific URL. After a source site removes a mugshot, use Google Search Console's URL removal tool to accelerate de-indexing of the now-deleted page.

Arrest Without Conviction - Strongest Removal Grounds

An arrest without a conviction - charges dropped, case dismissed, acquittal - represents the strongest possible grounds for mugshot removal. The fundamental unfairness of an arrest photo persisting when no criminal finding was made against you is recognized by multiple authorities. The FTC's consumer guidance on background checks notes that arrest records without convictions can mislead employers and landlords, and should not be treated as evidence of wrongdoing. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), consumer reporting agencies have specific obligations about how arrest records are reported - particularly for arrests older than 7 years that did not result in conviction.

• Google's removal policies (specifically addresses arrest-without-conviction scenarios)
• Many mugshot sites' own stated removal policies
• State anti-extortion and mugshot removal statutes
• Background check industry guidelines under FCRA

If your arrest did not result in a conviction, documenting that fact - with a dismissal order, nolle prosequi filing, or acquittal documentation - is the foundation of every removal request.

After Expungement or Sealing

An expungement or sealing order from a court is the most powerful documentation for mugshot removal. It provides legal authority and typically compels compliance from reputable sites.

1. 1
   Obtain certified copies of the expungement order

   Get multiple certified copies from the court clerk. You'll need them for multiple removal requests simultaneously.

2. 2
   Submit to each mugshot site with expungement documentation

   Include the expungement order with every removal request. Most reputable sites will comply when presented with a valid order.

3. 3
   Contact the original law enforcement agency

   The arresting agency should update their records per the expungement order. This can help prevent future republication.

4. 4
   Request Google de-indexing

   Use Google's Personal Information Removal Tool with the expungement order as supporting documentation for any remaining Google results.

Professional Help for Complex Cases

Mugshot removal is one of the areas where professional help is particularly valuable. The process is well-understood but involves multiple platforms, each requiring individual attention, documentation, and often follow-up. Professional ORM firms handle mugshot removal regularly and have established processes for each major platform. For cases involving expungement, news coverage alongside mugshots, or multiple sites, professional management ensures comprehensive coverage rather than piecemeal requests.