How to Remove Court Records from the Internet (and Keep It Off Google)

Finding your name attached to a court record online can be unsettling. Whether it’s a dismissed lawsuit, an old conviction, or a minor civil dispute, these records can show up in Google search results and impact your privacy, reputation, and career prospects.

While court records are legally public, many third-party websites aggregate and display them. Fortunately, some platforms offer removal or suppression options, while others require SEO strategies to push them down in search rankings.

This guide explains how to remove or suppress court records across various legal databases and includes site-specific removal guides for 14 major platforms.

Identify Where Your Court Record Appears

Before you begin, search your name on Google using different variations:

“[Your Name] court record”
“[Your Name] lawsuit”
“[Your Name] site:docketalarm.com” (Replace with any court record website)

Once you find where your record is listed, check our detailed site removal guides with in depth information about how to remove your court records:

Each guide provides step-by-step instructions for requesting removals, submitting redaction forms, and dealing with denied requests.

Check If Your Record Qualifies for Removal

Not all records are eligible for removal, but these cases have the best chances:

Sealed or Expunged Cases → Provide court documentation.
Records Involving Minors → Most sites will remove these upon request.
Sensitive Personal Information → Cases involving identity theft or security risks.
Outdated or Inaccurate Records → If a case ruling has changed, you may request an update.

If your record doesn’t qualify for removal from some of the sites, suppression strategies might be a more appropriate solution.

Submit a Removal Request

Each site has a different removal process. Generally, follow these steps:

Locate the Record → Find the exact page URL displaying your case.
Check Site-Specific Policies → Some sites allow full removal; others only offer de-indexing.
Submit a Removal Request → Usually via email, contact form, or legal request portal.
Provide Supporting Documents → If required, attach a court order or privacy justification.
Follow Up → Some sites take weeks to process removals; follow up if needed.

For site-specific submission instructions, refer to the removal guides above.

Remove Records from Google & Search Engines

Even if a website deletes your record, it may still appear on Google. Speed up removal by:

Using Google’s Outdated Content Tool → Google Removal Tool
Requesting Indexing Updates via Google Search Console

This can reduce search visibility within a few weeks.

Suppress Remaining Court Records

If removal isn’t possible, push negative results off the first page of Google by:

1. Building Positive Content

Create a Personal Website → Rank for your name with a professional site.
Optimize LinkedIn & Social Profiles → Update and post regularly.
Write Articles & Press Releases → Publish positive content about yourself.

2. Reputation Management Services

For persistent records, professional services can:

Suppress negative links by publishing high-ranking content.
Improve SEO to push damaging records off the first page.
Manage ongoing reputation protection to ensure lasting results.

If you need professional assistance, our reputation specialists are here to help.

Need help removing a court record?

Erase.com’s content removal service is designed to help you showcase your strengths and position you as a reliable and trustworthy partner.

We’ve helped over 5,000 individuals and businesses manage their online reputation and removed over 1,300 harmful court records for our clients in 2024 alone.

Get started and take control of your online presence today.

Key Takeaways

Identify Where Your Record Appears → Use Google searches to locate your court record on legal databases.
Check Removal Eligibility → Sealed, expunged, or sensitive cases have the highest chance of removal.
Submit a Removal Request → Follow our site-specific court record removal guides and provide supporting documents if required.
Use Google’s Outdated Content Tool → Speed up search result updates after removal.
Suppress Records if Removal Fails → Build a strong online presence with optimized content and SEO strategies.
Consider Reputation Management Services → If you’re still struggling with removing or suppressing a court record, professional help can push them off the first page of Google.

Removing court records from the internet isn’t always straightforward, but most sites offer some level of removal or suppression. If you take the right steps, you can protect your online reputation and prevent old legal matters from defining your future.

If you need personalized guidance, contact our team for expert help in managing your digital footprint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove my name from court record websites?

Yes, but it depends on the platform and the nature of your case. Some sites allow full removal if your case was sealed, expunged, or involves minors. Others only offer de-indexing from search engines, meaning the record won’t appear on Google but will still exist on their platform.

Which court records are eligible for removal?

It depends on what site you are trying to remove your court record from. Sealed or expunged cases have the best chances of being removed, as do records involving minors. Some sites may also remove information if it poses a privacy risk, such as exposing personal data or contributing to identity theft. If a record contains incorrect or outdated information, you may be able to request a correction or removal.

What if my court record isn’t eligible for removal?

If a record cannot be removed, suppression strategies can help push it down in search results. Creating new, positive content can help push court records down in search rankings. Building a personal website, optimizing LinkedIn and social profiles, and publishing blogs or articles are effective ways to improve online visibility and control what people see when they search your name.

Can I remove my court record from Google?

Google does not control court record websites, but you can remove outdated content after a record has been deleted or de-indexed. Use Google’s Outdated Content Tool to request faster removal from search results or our guide about how to delete google search results.

How long does it take to remove a court record from search results?

Timelines vary depending on the website and search engines. Some sites process removal requests in a few days, while others take weeks. Google’s de-indexing updates can take up to a month, though requesting removal through Google’s tools can help expedite the process. Suppression efforts, such as SEO strategies, often take longer and may require consistent content creation to push negative results off the first page.

How much does it cost to remove a court record?

Most platforms do not charge for removing sealed or expunged records. Some websites like DocketBird offer paid expedited removal services, while others charge fees for de-indexing requests. Reputation management services also offer paid solutions for suppressing court records when removal is not an option.

Can a lawyer help remove my court record?

Legal assistance can be helpful if your record qualifies for sealing or expungement. Lawyers can file motions to restrict public access, making it easier to request removal from court record websites. If a site refuses to comply, legal action might be your best option if your record is eligible to be sealed or expunged before you try something like suppression.

What court record sites can you help with?

We provide removal and suppression guidance for all major court record databases and publishers. We have guides for removing court records from the 14 most prominent websites that frequently appear in search results. These include:

Each site has different policies regarding removals, redactions, and de-indexing. Some allow for full deletion, while others only suppress search engine visibility.

Travis Schreiber

Travis Schreiber is a reputation management expert with extensive experience helping individuals and businesses protect their online presence.