Virginia Mugshot Removal & Expungement Guide
How mugshot removal, expungement, and record sealing actually work under Virginia law.
Virginia doesn't require a site to take your mugshot down on a set timeline, but it does ban a specific practice: under Va. Code § 8.01-40.3, a publisher can't solicit or accept payment to remove published criminal-history or arrest information. A violator is liable for actual damages or $500, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees and costs. The law exempts interactive computer services and constitutionally protected speech.
Virginia's sealing law (Title 19.2, Chapter 23.2) was substantially expanded in 2021, creating automatic sealing for qualifying low-level misdemeanors and all marijuana possession records, with phased implementation continuing.
- Eligible misdemeanors: 7 years, petition-based
- Eligible low-level felonies: 10 years, petition-based
- Qualifying low-level misdemeanors and marijuana possession: Automatic sealing, phasing in
Locate every copy of your mugshot online
Virginia arrest records are commonly scraped and republished across multiple commercial aggregators.
Send a direct removal request
If a site is soliciting a fee to remove your photo, that alone may violate Va. Code § 8.01-40.3 — document any such request in writing.
Pursue search-engine de-indexing where the site won't cooperate
Since Virginia doesn't mandate free removal outright, de-indexing is often the more reliable path.
Check whether your record qualifies for automatic sealing
Virginia's 2021 reform expanded eligibility significantly, though implementation is still phasing in.
We handle removal cases in Virginia 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 Virginia mugshot sites legally charge a removal fee?
No. Under Va. Code § 8.01-40.3, it's unlawful for a publisher to solicit or accept payment to remove published criminal-history or arrest information.
Does Virginia require mugshot sites to remove my photo?
Not automatically — Virginia 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.
What changed in Virginia's 2021 sealing reform?
It created automatic sealing for qualifying low-level misdemeanors and all marijuana possession records, in addition to the existing petition-based process for other eligible offenses.
How long does mugshot removal take in Virginia?
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 Virginia Mugshot Removed
Start with a free analysis — we'll confirm exactly what removal takes under your state's laws.