100% Free · No Catch · No Card

Remove your mugshot for free. Here's exactly how.

Q: Is mugshot removal really free?

The process and tools are free: the steps, your state's removal law, and our letter templates cost nothing. What isn't free anywhere is the labor of chasing dozens of uncooperative sites, which is what paid services charge for. Simple cases can often be handled yourself at no cost.

Q: Does an expungement automatically remove my mugshot online?

No. Expungement clears official government records, but third party mugshot sites run independently and will not update on their own. You still have to send each site a removal request, though your expungement order is strong proof and in many states legally compels free removal.

Q: Should I pay a website to take my mugshot down?

Almost never. In many states it is illegal for a site to charge for removal, and paying can flag you as someone who pays, inviting the photo to reappear elsewhere. Cite your state's statute and send a removal request instead.

Q: How long does free removal take?

It varies. A cooperative site with clear documentation may act within days to a few weeks, and statutory deadlines often run 7 to 30 days. Search results take additional time to refresh, and suppression of records that cannot be removed is a months long effort.

Q: What is the difference between this and the paid service?

This page teaches you to remove it yourself and explains your legal rights for free. The paid service is for when you want it handled for you, or when the case is too complex to do yourself: mass scraped copies, uncooperative or offshore sites, repeat reposts, or long term suppression.

Q: Is this just a way to collect my details and sell me removal?

No. Every tool, step, and template is visible without a form precisely so you can use it whether or not you contact us. The audit form is optional, the hardship program is free, and for many people the honest answer is that they do not need us.

A step by step toolkit, your state's removal rights, and ready to send letter templates. Most simple cases don't need to pay anyone, and we'll tell you honestly when that's you.

Free DIY removal steps State law rights check Hardship program

Show me the free steps Check my state's law

18+ states ban paid mugshot removal, so you may already have the law on your side.

We're a paid reputation company, and we'll say it plainly: most simple cases shouldn't pay anyone. This page exists to hand you the tools, the law, and the templates for free. If your case is truly complex, we'll tell you that too, and only then will we talk about paid help.

Step zero · know your rights

Check if your state makes removal free

Many states ban mugshot sites from charging you, and some force free removal once your case is dismissed, dropped, or expunged. Pick your state to see where you stand.

Where were you arrested?

Select a state above to see your free removal rights.

This is general information, not legal advice. Mugshot laws change and depend on your exact situation, so always confirm the current statute or speak with an attorney before acting.

The free DIY toolkit

Five steps to remove your mugshot yourself

This is the same process the paid services use. Everything is visible, with nothing hidden behind a form. Work through it in order.

Find every copy of it

Open an incognito window and search your full name plus the words "arrest," "mugshot," and "booking." Note every URL. Mugshots get scraped and reposted, so the photo is rarely on just one site.

Search name + "arrest" Check Google Images List every URL

Gather your court documents

If your case was dismissed, dropped, sealed, or expunged, get the certified court disposition or order. These documents are your leverage. Many sites (and most state laws) require free removal once you can prove a cleared outcome.

Dismissal order Sealing / expungement Certified copy

Send a removal request citing the law

Email or mail each site's opt out or removal contact. State that you're the subject of the photo, attach your documents, and cite your state's removal statute by name and its deadline. That last part is what works: a request that names the law gets taken seriously, while a polite ask often gets ignored.

Use the template below Cite your statute Keep copies

Clear it from Google search

Once the source site removes the photo, the search result can linger. Use Google's Remove Outdated Content tool to refresh the cache. For sites built purely to charge for removal, Google may also drop the result under its policy against exploitative removal practices.

Remove Outdated Content tool Refresh the cache

Push down what won't come off

Some sources, especially government pages, can't be removed. The free fallback is to bury them: claim your social and professional profiles, publish under your real name, and stay active. Fresh content tied to your name slowly outranks the old result.

Claim your profiles Post under your name Be consistent

Free download

The removal letter templates competitors won't give you

Two ready to send, fill in the blank letters: one general request, and one that cites your state's statute and removal deadline. Add your details, attach your documents, and send.

General removal request letter (works on most sites)
Statute citing demand letter with the legal deadline
A printable checklist to track every site

Please enter a valid email address.

Sent. Check your inbox for the templates.

No spam. The toolkit above is free to use right now without this. The download just packages it up for you.

REMOVAL DEMAND

Straight talk

When free works, and when it honestly doesn't

We'd rather you save your money where you can. Here's the honest dividing line, so you know which side you're on before you spend a cent.

You can likely do this yourself

Your photo is on only one or two sites.
Your case was dismissed, dropped, or expunged and you have the paperwork.
You live in a state with a removal fee ban or takedown law.
The site has a working opt out or removal contact.

If that's you, use the toolkit and templates above. You shouldn't pay anyone.

This is where help earns its keep

The same photo has been scraped across 5 or more sites.
Sites ignore you, are offshore, or demand payment to remove.
It keeps reappearing after you take it down.
It's on a government page and needs long term suppression.

If that's you, our paid team can take it on. See the full removal service →

Can't pay? We mean it.

The Sage Titans hardship program

For people who truly can't afford removal and shouldn't have to carry an arrest photo around forever, we take on a small number of cases each month and do the work for free, start to finish, with no payment and no upsell.

Apply for hardship help

Who qualifies

Financial hardship. Limited income, roughly in line with public legal aid thresholds.

A cleared or resolved case: dismissed, dropped, acquitted, sealed, or expunged, where you can show documentation.

A real reputational harm: the photo is affecting your job, housing, or safety.

Spots are limited and reviewed in order received. If we're full or your case isn't a fit, we'll still point you to the free route that works for you.

Free eligibility & audit check

Not sure where you stand? We'll check, free.

Tell us a little about your situation. We'll send back where your photo appears, whether your state gives you free leverage, and your best next step, even if that step is "do it yourself, here's how."

100% Confidential Secure & Private No obligation

Get your free audit

Honest guidance, whether or not you ever pay us.

First name *

Last name *

Email *

Phone *

State of arrest *

Case outcome *

Do you have court documents?

Roughly how many sites show it?

Where does it appear? (links or site names, if known)

I can't afford paid removal. Please tell me my free options first and check me against the hardship program.

By submitting you agree to be contacted about your case. We never sell your data, and we'll never pressure you to buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mugshot removal really free?

The process and the tools are free: the steps, your state's removal law, and our letter templates cost nothing and are all on this page. What isn't free anywhere is the labor of chasing dozens of uncooperative sites, and that's what paid services charge for. If your case is simple, you can do it yourself for $0. If it's complex, you can still try free first, then decide.

Does an expungement automatically remove my mugshot online?

No, and this trips up almost everyone. Expungement clears official government records, but third party mugshot sites run independently and won't update on their own. You still have to send each site a removal request. The good news: your expungement order is powerful proof that makes those requests far more likely to succeed, and in many states it legally compels free removal.

Should I pay a website to take my mugshot down?

Almost never, and in many states it is actually illegal for a site to charge you. Paying a mugshot site can also flag you as someone who pays, which invites the same photo to reappear elsewhere. Use your state's law and a removal request instead. If a site demands money, that is a strong sign to cite the statute rather than reach for your wallet.

How long does free removal take?

It varies. A cooperative site with clear documentation can act within days to a few weeks, and statute deadlines often run 7 to 30 days. Search results can take additional time to refresh after the source is gone. Suppression, which means pushing down what can't be removed, is a months long effort. Patience and good records are your friends.

What is the difference between this and your paid service?

This page teaches you to remove it yourself and tells you your legal rights, free, with no form required. The paid service is for when you want it handled for you, or when the case is too complex to do yourself: mass scraped copies, uncooperative or offshore sites, repeat reposts, or long term suppression of records that can't be deleted. Same expertise, two different levels of help.

Is this just a way to collect my details and sell me removal?

Fair question, and no. The reason every tool, step, and template is visible without a form is precisely so you can use it whether or not you ever contact us. The audit form is optional, the hardship program is free, and our honest answer for many people is: you don't need us. We would rather earn your trust than your dismissal case payment.