Ohio Mugshot Removal & Expungement Guide
How mugshot removal, expungement, and record sealing actually work under Ohio law.
Ohio doesn't have a law that forces a commercial mugshot site to take a photo down, but it does ban a specific practice: under Ohio Revised Code § 2927.22(B), it's illegal for a publisher to solicit or accept a fee to remove, correct, or refrain from publishing criminal record information, including booking photos. Violating this is a first-degree misdemeanor and can create civil liability for the publisher.
Ohio calls this process "sealing" rather than expungement, and it was substantially reworked by the 2023 Fresh Start Act (Senate Bill 288):
Under the current version of Ohio Rev. Code § 2953.32, courts now evaluate each conviction individually rather than applying an overall cap on prior convictions, which opened up sealing to more people than the old rule allowed.
Separately, Ohio Rev. Code § 2953.33 covers sealing after a not-guilty finding, dismissal, or grand jury "no bill" — often faster than sealing an actual conviction.
- Minor misdemeanors: 6 months after final discharge
- Other misdemeanors: 1 year after final discharge
- 4th or 5th degree felonies: 1 year after final discharge
- 3rd degree felonies (one or two): 3 years after final discharge
- Not-guilty finding or dismissed case: May apply immediately, no waiting period
- Grand jury "no bill": 2 years from the no-bill report
Locate every copy of your mugshot online
Ohio bookings are commonly picked up by more than one commercial mugshot aggregator.
Send a direct removal request
If a site is soliciting a fee to remove your photo, that alone may violate Ohio Rev. Code § 2927.22(B) — document any such request in writing.
Pursue search-engine de-indexing where the site won't cooperate
Since Ohio doesn't mandate free removal outright, de-indexing is often the more reliable path when a publisher is unresponsive.
Petition to seal your record where eligible
A sealed record under Ohio Rev. Code § 2953.32 or § 2953.33 restricts future public access, though it doesn't retroactively force a site to remove an already-published photo.
We handle removal cases in Ohio the same way we handle every case: locating every copy of your mugshot online, filing takedown requests within 72 hours, pursuing search-engine de-indexing where publishers won't cooperate, and monitoring afterward for reappearances. Every case starts with a free analysis, backed by a 100% money-back guarantee.
State law affects your legal options, but it doesn't determine which website is publishing your mugshot. See our site-by-site removal directory for site-specific removal steps once you know where your listing is.
This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws summarized here are current as of publication but change frequently — consult a licensed attorney in your state before relying on them for your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Ohio mugshot sites legally charge a removal fee?
No. Under Ohio Rev. Code § 2927.22(B), it's illegal for a publisher to solicit or accept a fee to remove, correct, or withhold criminal record information, including booking photos.
Does Ohio require mugshot sites to remove my photo?
Not automatically — Ohio bans charging for removal, but doesn't set a mandatory removal deadline the way Florida or Utah do. We rely on direct negotiation and search-engine de-indexing to get results.
How has Ohio's record sealing law changed recently?
The 2023 Fresh Start Act (Senate Bill 288) removed the old cap based on total prior convictions, evaluating each conviction individually, and restructured waiting periods — generally 6 months to 3 years depending on the offense.
How long does mugshot removal take in Ohio?
There's no statutory deadline to enforce, so it depends on the site. Our takedown requests typically go out within 72 hours, with de-indexing following in about 5–7 days when needed.
Get Your Ohio Mugshot Removed
Start with a free analysis — we'll confirm exactly what removal takes under your state's laws.