What happens to mugshots online and why they stay there

When you are arrested, the booking photo and basic details go into a police database. That information is public record — anyone can request it from the police department or courthouse. Over the past fifteen years, private websites have scraped these public records and republished them, creating searchable mugshot databases that rank high in Google results. These sites make money from ads and from charging you to remove your photo.

The mugshot itself does not disappear from police records or court files. What you can remove is the copy on private websites. Those sites are not government agencies, so they have different rules about what they must keep online. Some will remove photos for free under certain conditions. Others charge a fee. A few will not remove them at all, no matter what you do.

Removal is possible but requires you to contact each site separately — there is no single form or agency that handles all of them. The process takes weeks or months, not days. Starting now is faster than waiting, because each site moves at its own pace.

Key Takeaways

  • Mugshots on private websites come from public police records, so the photo itself will always exist in court files, but the online copies can be removed.
  • Each mugshot website operates independently, so you must contact them one at a time — there is no central removal process.
  • Some sites remove photos free if your case was dismissed or you were acquitted; others charge a fee regardless of the outcome.
  • Google will remove the link from search results once the photo is gone from the original website, but this takes additional time after removal.
  • Removal requests should be made in writing and kept on file, because sites sometimes repost photos and you will need proof of your original request.

Identifying which websites are hosting your mugshot

Start by searching your name in Google Images and in regular Google search. Write down every mugshot website that appears in the first few pages of results. Common ones include Mugshots.com, JailBase, BustedMugshots, and ArrestRecords.com, but there are dozens more, and new ones appear regularly.

Search your name plus your city or state to catch regional sites. If you have a common name, search your name plus your date of birth. Open each result and confirm it is actually your photo — some sites host multiple people with similar names.

Create a spreadsheet with the site name, the URL where your photo appears, and the date you found it. This record will help you track which sites you have contacted and which ones have responded. Keep this file for at least a year, because some sites repost removed photos months later.

Free removal: when sites must take photos down

Many mugshot websites have a policy of removing photos free if your case was dismissed, you were acquitted, or your arrest record was sealed or expunged. The key word is "free" — you should never have to pay for removal under these circumstances.

To use this route, you need official documentation. Contact the courthouse where your case was handled and request a certified copy of the dismissal order, acquittal, or expungement. This usually costs five to twenty dollars and takes one to two weeks. Some courts now offer this online through their public records portal.

Once you have the document, look for a "removal request" or "contact us" link on the mugshot website. Send a written request that includes your name, the URL of your photo, a copy of the court document, and a brief explanation: "My case was dismissed on [date]. I am requesting removal of my mugshot under your free removal policy." Keep a copy of everything you send.

Expect a response in two to four weeks. Some sites process requests quickly; others are slow. If you do not hear back after a month, send a follow-up email referencing your original request date.

Paid removal: what to expect and what to avoid

If your case did not result in dismissal or acquittal, or if the site does not offer free removal, you may be offered paid removal. Fees typically range from fifty to three hundred dollars per site. The site will ask for your payment, remove the photo, and send you a confirmation.

Before you pay, read the site's removal policy carefully. Look for language that says the removal is permanent and that the site will not repost the photo. Some sites offer a may provide; others do not. A may provide is worth paying for, because it means you have recourse if the photo reappears.

Never pay through untraceable methods like wire transfer or gift cards. Use a credit card or PayPal so you have a record and can dispute the charge if the site does not follow through. Take a screenshot of the removal confirmation and the URL before you pay, so you have proof of what was there.

Be cautious of third-party removal services that claim they will handle this for you. These services charge a markup — often two hundred to five hundred dollars — on top of what the sites themselves charge. You can contact the sites directly and save that money. If you do use a service, verify it is legitimate by checking reviews on the Better Business Bureau website.

Contacting mugshot websites directly

Most mugshot sites have a contact form or email address buried in their footer or on a "contact us" page. Look for it before you pay anything. Some sites make it deliberately hard to find, but it is usually there.

Write a clear, professional email. Include your full name, date of birth, the URL of your photo, and what you are requesting. If you have court documentation, attach it or reference it. Keep the tone neutral — sites are more likely to respond to a straightforward request than to an angry one.

Send the email and wait. If you do not hear back in two weeks, send a follow-up. If you still do not hear back after a month, try calling the site's phone number if one is listed, or look for a mailing address and send a letter.

Document everything. Save copies of every email you send, every response you receive, and every screenshot showing your photo on the site. This creates a paper trail that protects you if you need to escalate the request or dispute a charge.

Removing the link from Google search results

Once the photo is removed from the mugshot website itself, Google will eventually stop showing that link in search results. This does not happen automatically — it takes days or weeks for Google to crawl the site again and notice the photo is gone.

You can speed this up by using Google Search Console. Go to google.com/webmasters and sign in with a Google account. Add the mugshot website as a property (you will need to verify ownership, which is complicated if you do not own the site). Then use the "Removals" tool to request that Google remove the specific URL from its index.

If you do not own the website, you can still request removal through Google's general removal form at google.com/webmasters/tools/removals. Explain that the photo has been removed from the site and ask Google to update its index. This is less reliable than using Search Console, but it works sometimes.

The removal from Google search results is separate from the removal from the website itself. Both steps matter. A photo that is gone from the site but still showing in Google results is still findable. A photo that is still on the site but removed from Google results is still on the internet — it just is not in search results.

What to do if a site refuses to remove your photo

Some mugshot websites refuse removal requests or ignore them entirely. If this happens, you have limited options, but they exist.

First, check whether your state has a law requiring removal. A few states, including Florida and Virginia, have passed laws that require mugshot websites to remove photos under certain conditions or to stop charging for removal. If your state has such a law, reference it in your removal request. Send a follow-up email citing the specific law and the penalties for violating it. This sometimes prompts a response.

Second, contact your state's attorney general office. Many state AGs have received complaints about mugshot websites and have taken action against them. Your complaint adds to the record. This will not remove your photo when ready, but it may lead to enforcement action that does.

Third, if the site is charging you money and not delivering removal, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company or PayPal. Explain that you paid for a service that was not provided. The card company or PayPal can reverse the charge.

Fourth, consider whether the photo is causing you documented harm — for example, you lost a job because of it. In rare cases, you may have grounds for a lawsuit, but this is expensive and uncertain. Consult a lawyer in your state before pursuing this route.

Preventing your mugshot from spreading further

While you are working on removal, take steps to prevent the photo from spreading to new sites. Set up a Google Alert for your name so you are notified if your mugshot appears on a new website. When it does, contact that site when ready with a removal request.

Do not post about your arrest on social media or share the mugshot yourself. Every time you or someone else shares it, it spreads to more places and becomes harder to contain.

Consider setting your social media profiles to private and removing old posts that mention your arrest. This limits how much information is publicly available about you and makes it less likely that new mugshot sites will find additional details to publish alongside your photo.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a mugshot removed?

Removal from a single website typically takes two to six weeks, depending on how quickly the site responds. If you are removing from multiple sites, the total time is longer — often two to four months. Google search results take an additional one to two weeks to update after the photo is removed from the website.

Can I get my mugshot removed if I was convicted?

Most free removal policies explore only to dismissed cases or acquittals. If you were convicted, you will likely have to pay for removal, and some sites may refuse to remove it at all. However, it is always worth asking — some sites will remove photos for convicted individuals if you make a request.

What if the mugshot website is in another country?

Websites hosted outside the United States are harder to pressure into removal because U.S. laws do not explore to them. You can still send a removal request, but the site may ignore it. In this case, focus on getting Google to remove the link from search results, which makes the photo much harder to find.

Will removing my mugshot from the internet affect my criminal record?

No. Removing the photo from websites does not change your criminal record, which is maintained by courts and police. The record will still exist and can still be found through official channels. Removal only affects the private websites that republished the photo.

Should I hire a removal service instead of doing this myself?

You can do this yourself and save money by contacting sites directly. Removal services charge a markup for doing the same work. However, if you have many mugshots on many sites or if you do not have time to manage the process, a service may be worth the cost. Check reviews before hiring one.