If your mugshot is showing up on Google, you’re probably wondering: how long will this take to fix?
The short answer: it depends.
Some mugshots can be removed in a few days, while others may take weeks or even longer, depending on the site, your legal situation, and whether you qualify for removal under your state’s mugshot laws.
Looking for information about how to remove a mugshot? Check out our full guide.
Typical Mugshot Removal Timelines
Here’s how long it usually takes to remove a mugshot from Google or the internet:
Mugshot Source Average Removal Timeline
- Mugshot websites: 3–30 days (if they allow removal)
- News articles: 1–4 weeks (if removed/updated)
- Government databases: Varies by agency (can be months)
- Search results: 2–14 days (after source removal)
Google does not host mugshots directly. If you want your image off Google, you must either remove it from the original website or suppress it with positive content.
Factors That Affect Mugshot Removal Speed
1. State Laws
Some U.S. states have passed laws that force mugshot websites to remove arrest photos under certain conditions. For example:
- Utah (§ 17-22-30): Sites must remove mugshots within 7 days if charges are dropped.
- Georgia (§ 10-1-393.5): Sites must remove within 30 days for cleared or sealed cases.
- Oregon (HB 2986) and Illinois (SB 2560): Ban charging for mugshot removals.
- Kentucky (KRS § 61.8746): Lets individuals sue for daily fines if their image isn’t removed.
If your case qualifies under your state’s mugshot law, the process can be quick. If not, it gets trickier.
If your case qualifies under your state’s mugshot law, removal can happen in as little as one week. If your case doesn’t qualify (for example, if charges are still pending), you’ll likely be dealing with voluntary removals or suppression instead, which can take several weeks or months.
Want a full list of U.S. laws? See our article on Mugshot Laws by State
2. The Website Itself
Some websites have removal forms and respond within days. Others are uncooperative or run by anonymous operators overseas.
It will also depend on the status of the charges associated with your mugshot as some will remove any mugshot where the charges have been dismissed, some require the charges to be sealed or expunged, and some simply won’t remove the mugshot or will charge a fee.
If you need to get your charges dismissed or expunged for removal, the timeline will ultimately depend on that more than anything to do with the site itself.
Here are a few examples of different mugshot sites and their removal processes and policies:
Removable (with conditions):
- Mugshots.com
- Arre.st
- BustedNewspaper.com
- Mugshots.zone
- Arrests.org
- RecentlyBooked.com
- Rain-Street.org (formerly arrestfacts.com)
- TheGeorgiaGazette.com
- BocaNewsNow.com
If a site won’t remove your mugshot, the best alternative is to suppress the mugshot from search results with positive content.
3. News Articles
If your mugshot appears in a news report, removal is usually not required by law, even if your case was dropped.
Your options:
- Ask the reporter or editor for an update or to remove the news article. This can take some back and forth but in an optimal situation they might remove it right away.
- Use Google’s Outdated Content Tool if the article has been deleted or changed. Generally speaking, for removed content this takes anywhere from 6-24 hours, and for changed content it can take anywhere from a day to a week for the changes to be fully reflected on Google.
- Suppress the mugshot with newer, more relevant content. This can take anywhere from a month to 6 months in more difficult cases.
What if Removal Isn’t Possible?
Some cases don’t qualify for removal. For example:
- Your charges are still pending or active
- The site is based overseas or refuses takedown requests
- The mugshot is embedded in a news story or forum thread
In those cases, your best bet is to push it down in search using content suppression techniques.
This often includes:
- Publishing positive articles, interviews, or press releases
- Creating profiles or portfolios across trusted sites
- Posting fresh images to push the mugshot out of Google Images
- Building backlinks to newer, higher-authority pages
Mugshot Suppression Timeline Overview:
- Initial push (page 1 to page 2): 1–3 months (depending on your name and competition level)
- Deeper burying (page 2+): 3–6 months or more for stronger, more lasting results
- Google Images suppression: Often takes 4–8 weeks with consistent image publishing and alt-text optimization
Want a deeper dive? Visit our full guide on How to Remove Mugshots From Google for step-by-step instructions, examples, and legal support.
Get Started With Our Mugshot Removal Service today
Guaranteed Removals Mugshot Removal Service
Guaranteed Removals Mugshot removal service focuses on removing mugshots and criminal records from the internet, Google and other search engine providers. Our services aim to enhance your online reputation and build trust.
There is no obligation or risk. You only pay after we permanently remove the negative content from the source.
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