Key takeaways
- Expungement and sealing are decided by a court. The words and the rules change from place to place.
- A cleared record changes the official record. It does not delete copies on websites, news sites, or social media.
- Many websites will remove a record when you send them proof, such as the court order.
- Send the order only to each site's own removal channel, and never post it in public.
- If a background check shows a cleared record, you can usually dispute it with the company that ran it.
Getting a record cleared can feel like a fresh start. So it hurts to search your name and still find the old arrest, the mugshot, or the court case. Many people expect the internet to update by itself, and it rarely does.
This guide explains what expungement and sealing mean, what they change online and what they do not, and how to use your court order to ask websites and background check companies to catch up.
Expungement and sealing in plain words
Both words describe a court decision that limits who can see an old record. The details depend on where you live, but the basic ideas are simple.
- Expungement: the court orders a record to be cleared. In some places it is destroyed, and in others it is treated as if the case never happened for most purposes.
- Sealing: the record still exists, but it is hidden from the public. Courts, police, and some agencies may still see it.
- Other names: some places say "set aside", "vacated", or "record suspension", which is the term used in Canada. In the UK, many convictions become "spent" after a set time.
In the US, each state has its own rules about who qualifies, how long you wait, and which records can be cleared. The process usually goes through the court, often with a lawyer's help.
What a cleared record changes online
The biggest change is on official systems. The court and the agencies it names update their own records. After that, many other places become more willing to act.
Usually changes or helps
- Official court records: the case is sealed or cleared on the court's own system.
- Data and mugshot sites: many have a policy to remove records when shown a court order.
- Background checks: reporting companies are expected to report records accurately, which includes cleared ones.
- Editors: a news site may add an update, or review an old story, when it sees the order.
Does not change by itself
- Copies already saved on websites and data sites.
- News stories published at the time.
- Social media posts, screenshots, and comments.
- Old results and images in Google.
What a cleared record does not change
A court order speaks to the official record. It does not reach out across the internet and delete every copy. Websites that copied the record before it was cleared still hold their copy until someone asks them to remove it.
News stories are a special case. A story that was accurate when it was published is usually protected, even after the record is cleared. Many editors will still add an update, and some will review an old story about a private person. Our guide on getting a news article corrected or removed shows how to ask.
How to use your court order in removal requests
Your court order is your strongest piece of proof. Used carefully, it can clear many copies of the old record.
Get an official copy
Ask the court clerk for a copy of the order. Some sites ask for a certified copy, which carries the court's stamp.
List every copy online
Search your name, with and without your middle name and city. Write down each link that shows the record, mugshot, or case.
Find each site's removal policy
Look for a removal, opt-out, or contact page. Many record sites explain exactly what proof they need.
Send the order privately
Use the site's own form or email. Include the link to the page and a short, polite request to remove it.
Keep a record
Note the date you asked, what you sent, and any reply. Check the page again after a few weeks.
Clear old Google results
Once a page is gone or changed, use Google's outdated content tool so search catches up.
For court data sites and Google in more detail, see our guides on removing court records from Google and Google's removal tools.
Background checks and old records
Employers and landlords often use background check companies. In the US, these companies are covered by a federal law called the Fair Credit Reporting Act. It requires them to take reasonable care that what they report is accurate.
- Ask for a copy. If a background check is used against you, you usually have the right to see what it said.
- Dispute what is wrong. If it shows a sealed or expunged record, contact the company that ran the check and send your court order.
- Follow up in writing. The company must look into your dispute and correct or remove information it cannot confirm.
Other countries have their own rules for job checks. For example, in the UK some job checks for sensitive roles can still show spent convictions. If you are unsure what an employer can see, a lawyer or a local advice service can explain.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Every platform and country has its own rules, and they change. We are not lawyers. For legal questions about your case, please speak to a qualified lawyer.