Finding your booking photo on The Georgia Gazette can feel like a punch to the gut. The good news is that you may be able to get it taken down, and in many cases you should not have to pay a cent. This guide walks you through what the site is, who qualifies for removal, and the exact steps to send a request. It also covers the Georgia law that works in your favor.
What The Georgia Gazette Is
The Georgia Gazette is a website that publishes arrest records and booking photos from jails across Georgia. It posts this information in a “Jail Bookings” section. The site is still online and active as of 2026, and it ranks well in Google. That means your mugshot can show up when someone searches your name, including employers, landlords, and dates.
Can Your Mugshot Be Removed?
Yes, in most cases it can. There are two paths. The first is a legal removal for people whose cases qualify under Georgia law. The second is the site’s Second Chance Policy, which is a discretionary review for cases that do not meet the legal standard, such as convictions or pending charges.
You likely qualify for free legal removal if your case was dismissed, closed without prosecution, expunged, or if you were acquitted of all charges. Other conditions apply too, like a grand jury returning two no bills or the statute of limitations running out. If none of these fit, the Second Chance Policy is still an option.
How to Request Removal Step by Step
- Confirm your case outcome. Check court records so you know if you qualify for legal removal or need the Second Chance route.
- Gather your details. You will need your full name, date of birth, date of arrest, and the name of the arresting agency.
- For a legal removal, send a written request. Georgia law calls for a letter sent by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the site’s mailing address. Keep the receipt as proof.
- For a Second Chance request, use the online form. Visit the site’s Second Chance Policy page and fill out the fields, including your reason for removal.
- Save copies of everything. Screenshots, receipts, and dates will help if you need to follow up.
Always confirm the current mailing address and form on the site itself before you send anything, since a site’s contact details can change over time. If you would rather not handle it yourself, our guide on how to remove a mugshot from Google covers the wider search results too.
Cost and the Georgia Law Angle
You should not have to pay The Georgia Gazette to remove your photo. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. section 10-1-393.5 requires commercial sites to take down a qualifying mugshot at no charge. A related law, O.C.G.A. section 35-1-19, also limits how these photos can be published and used. The Georgia Gazette states that it will never ask for or accept payment in exchange for removal.
If a site ever demands money to take down your photo, that can break Georgia’s Fair Business Practices Act. You can report it to the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. For a broader look at pricing across the industry, see our page on how much mugshot removal costs.
How Long It Takes
For legal removals, Georgia law gives the company 30 days to act after it gets your written request. Second Chance requests can take longer because a committee reviews them one by one. That review looks at the offense, the time since your booking, and your record. You can learn more in our guide on how long mugshot removal takes.
What to Do If Removal Fails
If your request is ignored or denied, do not give up. Send a follow-up with your proof of delivery. If you qualified under the law and the site still refuses, file a complaint with the Georgia Attorney General’s office. You can also work on pushing the page down in search results with fresh, positive content about yourself. A professional removal service can help when the process stalls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Georgia Gazette charge to remove a mugshot?
No. The site says it will never charge for removal, and Georgia law bars sites from charging when your case qualifies. If you are asked to pay, treat it as a warning sign and report it.
What if my case ended in a conviction?
You may still qualify through the Second Chance Policy. The site reviews these requests based on the offense, how much time has passed, and your history. There is often a waiting period before you can apply.
Last updated on July 27, 2026