Missouri Mugshot Removal & Expungement Guide
How mugshot removal, expungement, and record sealing actually work under Missouri law.
Missouri doesn't require a site to take your mugshot down, but it does ban a specific practice: under RSMo § 407.1150, it's unlawful 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 class A misdemeanor per solicitation, and can trigger civil damages of the greater of $10,000 or actual and punitive damages, plus attorney's fees.
Missouri's expungement law (RSMo § 610.140) was substantially eased in 2021, cutting waiting periods and expanding eligible offenses to roughly 1,900 categories.
- Arrests without conviction: Eligible 18 months after arrest
- Misdemeanor / municipal violation / infraction: 1 year after sentence completion
- Felony: 3 years after sentence completion
- Lifetime caps: Up to 3 misdemeanors and 2 felonies expunged
Locate every copy of your mugshot online
Missouri 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 RSMo § 407.1150 — document any such request in writing.
Pursue search-engine de-indexing where the site won't cooperate
Since Missouri doesn't mandate free removal outright, de-indexing is often the more reliable path.
Petition for expungement where eligible
Missouri's 2021 reforms significantly expanded who qualifies — worth checking even if you assumed you didn't.
We handle removal cases in Missouri 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 Missouri mugshot sites legally charge a removal fee?
No. Under RSMo § 407.1150, it's illegal for a publisher to solicit or accept a fee to remove, correct, or withhold criminal record information, including booking photos.
Does Missouri require mugshot sites to remove my photo?
Not automatically — Missouri bans charging for removal, but doesn't set a mandatory removal deadline. We rely on direct negotiation and search-engine de-indexing to get results.
How were Missouri's expungement rules recently changed?
A 2021 reform (SB 53/SB 60) cut waiting periods from 7 years (felony) and 3 years (misdemeanor) to the current 3-year and 1-year waits, and expanded eligible offenses to roughly 1,900 categories.
How long does mugshot removal take in Missouri?
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.
Get Your Missouri Mugshot Removed
Start with a free analysis — we'll confirm exactly what removal takes under your state's laws.