We believe people deserve to move on. If your booking record appears on searchinmates.org, we will remove it for free. We never charge for removal, and we never will.
How to remove a record here
- Open the record on our site and choose Remove this record, or go straight to the removal form.
- Enter the name as it appears on the record and an email address we can reply to.
- Submit. When the record link and name match, the page is taken down right away and returns a "gone" status to search engines.
We also add the record to a do-not-publish list, so our systems do not add it again. You can ask on behalf of yourself or a family member.
Search engines
Search engines can take days or weeks to drop a page after it is removed. Google offers a free "Remove outdated content" tool where you can submit a page that no longer exists to speed this up.
The original public record
We copy information from public sheriff and corrections websites. Removing a record from searchinmates.org does not change the original record at the jail, court or other websites.
- Expungement or record sealing is a court process that can remove or hide an arrest or conviction from public records. Eligibility depends on the state, the charge and the outcome. Many states have legal aid groups that help for free.
- If a case was dismissed or you were found not guilty, ask the court clerk how to get the court and jail records updated.
Never pay anyone to remove a booking record
Some sites charge large fees to remove booking photos or records. Many states have made that practice illegal. searchinmates.org removal is free, and we do not work with paid removal services.
Questions
Is removal really free?
Yes. Removal from searchinmates.org is free, always. We do not charge, ask for payment, or refer you to paid services.
Do I need to prove my identity?
No ID upload is needed. We ask for the record link or ID, the name on the record, and an email address. If something does not match, we review the request by hand.
How fast is it?
When the record link and name match, the page is removed immediately. Other requests are reviewed by hand, usually within a few days.
Will the record come back later?
No. Removed records are added to a do-not-publish list that our data collection checks before adding anyone.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws and facility rules differ and change; confirm details with the facility, court or a lawyer.