If your mugshot is posted on The Georgia Gazette, you’re not alone. This Georgia-based site republishes booking photos from law enforcement agencies across the state. While your image may be public record, there are legal and policy-based options that could help you take it down.
Here’s how it works.
Looking for a broader solution? Start with our full guide on how to remove mugshots from Google.
A Quick History of The Georgia Gazette
The Georgia Gazette launched in 2020, right after many older mugshot sites were removed from Google search results. Sites like Mugshots.com and BustedMugshots were hit with lawsuits and bad press for charging people to remove their photos. Google responded by de-indexing most of them.
Georgia Gazette took advantage of the opportunity. By staying compliant with state law and offering a clear removal process, they avoided the legal and ethical issues that sank their competitors.
Because of that, the site quickly filled the gap left behind. It now ranks well in Google and remains one of the most difficult mugshot sites to deal with for people in Georgia.
The site’s legal approach may look better on paper, but the end result is the same. Your arrest photo stays online, visible to employers, neighbors, and anyone who Googles your name.
Who qualifies for removal under Georgia law?
Under GA Code § 35-1-19, The Georgia Gazette must remove your booking photo if:
- Your case was dismissed, closed, or never prosecuted
- The charges were restricted, expunged, or not pursued after arrest
- The grand jury returned two “no bills”
- You were acquitted in court
- You completed a conditional discharge for certain drug offenses
You can read the full list of qualifying scenarios on their removal request page https://thegeorgiagazette.com/removal-request/
If any of those apply to you, you’re legally entitled to free removal. But you’ll need to follow the right process to make it happen.
How to submit a legal removal request
Georgia law requires you to send a written request by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to:
The Georgia Gazette, LLC
PO BOX 2325
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Include:
- Your full name
- Date of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Your email address (so they can confirm removal)
- Optional: proof that your case qualifies (court docs, docket, dismissal notice, etc.)
Important: They do not accept payment for removal and will never ask you to pay.
What if your case doesn’t qualify under Georgia law?
If your case resulted in a conviction or is still pending, The Georgia Gazette offers a Second Chance Policy. This allows you to request removal based on personal circumstances, time passed, and the nature of the offense.
Their anonymous Second Chance Committee reviews requests on a case-by-case basis. You’ll need to fill out a detailed online form and explain why your mugshot should come down.
Second Chance requests are more likely to be approved if:
- Your charges were non-violent or misdemeanor-level
- At least 1 year has passed since the booking (or 2 years for DUIs or felonies)
- You can demonstrate rehabilitation or the harm caused by the listing
- You don’t have a long criminal history
You can access the Second Chance form at https://thegeorgiagazette.com/second-chance-policy/.
Be specific in your statement. According to several Reddit users, people had more success when they:
- Talked about career impact or job loss
- Mentioned efforts to rebuild their life
- Submitted proof of completion for rehab, probation, or education
- Asked respectfully and followed up just once or twice
One user said:
“I bragged a little about how far I’ve come, explained the damage it was doing, and they removed it the next day.”
Remove the Mugshot from Google or Bing
If your record was deleted or changed on The Georgia Gazette, but still shows up in search, use these tools:
These won’t delete the mugshot but can hide outdated versions from search results, including other engines that piggy back off of Google and Bing, including DuckDuckGo and AI like ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity.
How Long Does it Take?
The Georgia Gazette says it may take up to 30 days to process requests. If you’re eligible and follow the instructions closely, many removals happen sooner.
You won’t always get a detailed reply if denied. But if it’s been over 30 days with no response and you followed legal protocol, you can file a complaint with the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
What If They Don’t Remove It?
Even with proof, some users report being ignored or denied removal. In those cases, your next step might be to get the mugshot de-indexed from Google. Reputation firms like Guaranteed Removals can suppress the mugshot from search results even if it still exists on the site.
Keep in mind that The Georgia Gazette doesn’t syndicate its data, but other sites may copy it. Once it’s off Google, most people will never find it.
Mugshot Removal Steps
| Situation | What to Do | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Charges dropped or dismissed | Mail a certified request with details | You qualify under GA Code § 35-1-19 |
| Case still pending or you were convicted | Use the Second Chance request form | Decision made at the site’s discretion |
| No response after 30 days | File a complaint with Georgia AG’s office | Include copy of your mailed request |
| Still online but not removable | Consider removal services | This hides it from Google searches |
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