How to Find Mugshots: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

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1Finding Mugshots Online

2Searching for Arrest Records

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Co-authored bywikiHow Staff

Last Updated: April 19, 2024Fact Checked

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Mugshots and arrest records are available to the public, so they're actually pretty easy to find. Whether you're looking for your own mugshot or researching a case, we've got everything you need to know right here. Read on to learn how to find mugshots online using the best websites and apps. Plus, we'll teach you how to search arrest records to get more information on a particular offender or case.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Finding Mugshots Online

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  1. 1

    Search the FindMugshots website. Go to the website here: https://www.findmugshots.com/. Enter the first and last name, as well as the state. Click “Search.”

    • You can also browse if you don’t have a name. Go to https://www.findmugshots.com/states, click on the state you want to search, and then select the county or city.
    • After selecting the county or city, you can browse by first letter of the last name.
  2. 2

    Browse on the PrisonHandbook website. Visit here: http://prisonhandbook.com/mugshot-search/. At the website, choose your state. You will be taken to a list of jails.

    • Select a jail and read how to view mugshots. There might be a link to the jail’s website, where you can search for mugshots. The links will be at the bottom of the page under “Links and Resources,” so scroll all the way down the page.
    • Not all jails let you view mugshots online.

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  3. 3

    Visit your state’s department of corrections website. Every state in the U.S. should have a website, and you can use the inmate locator to find information about the prisoner. Some states will also publish mugshots.

    • Type “your state” and “department of corrections” into your favorite web browser.
    • You can find links to state department of corrections websites here: https://www.usa.gov/corrections.
    • At the website, look for a link that says “Prisoner Search,” “Offender Search,” “Prisoner Locator” or something similar. You can usually search by prisoner number or name.
  4. 4

    Search your state’s sex offender registry. In the U.S., every state has a sex offender registry, which you can find by searching on Google. A sex offender registry is a good resource because it will contain mugshots even in states that don’t normally provide mugshots.

    • You can search using basic information, such as the offender’s name. If you want to see all of the offenders in your area, there should be an option to search by location as well.
    • The person must have been convicted of a sex offense for their information to appear in the registry. Accordingly, the number of mugshots might be limited.
  5. 5

    Check your local sheriff and police department websites. Some law enforcement agencies host mugshots online, which you can view for free. Not many do, however, so this shouldn’t be your first place to check. You’ll need to know the county where the person was booked.

  6. 6

    Use an app. You can download some apps to your smartphone and search for mugshots. One popular app is JailBase. You can search millions of arrest records for free. The app does not have records for all counties in the U.S., but it is adding to its list daily.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Searching for Arrest Records

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  1. 1

    Stop into the police station. Your local police station should have arrest records for the city. Stop in during normal business hours to request a report. You may need to fill out a form and pay a processing fee.

    • Arrest records are public records, so they should be generally available. However, the true availability depends on your location. In some places, only a lawyer can get the records, whereas other records might have identifying information removed.[1]
  2. 2

    Visit the county courthouse. Smaller counties usually don’t have an online database you can search. Instead, you need to visit the courthouse. Go to the courthouse for the county where the person was arrested.[2]

    • If the courthouse is far away, call and ask how you can find arrest records. The clerk should explain the process.
  3. 3

    Search a state or county website. Some states have arrest records online for free. Check the websites for both the county courthouse and the local police department. Enter as much information as you have about the person, including their name and date of birth.[3]

  4. 4

    Check the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. In the U.S., people convicted of federal crimes will be held in federal prison. You can search for inmates through the Federal Bureau of Prisons website.[4]

    • This website doesn’t have arrest records available. However, it will tell you whether a person was ever in federal prison and when they were released. The website has information as far back as 1982.
  5. 5

    Pay for a background check. Many online websites collect arrest records. You can search by the person’s name and the state where you think they were arrested.

    • Be warned that most online sites will charge you. Often, they don’t advertise this fact on their home page. Instead, they run their report and then tell you how much you have to pay to access it.
    • Some websites might offer the information for free, but you’ll have to dig to find them. By far, most websites requirement payment.
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  • Question

    Are all mugshots public record?

    How to Find Mugshots: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (16)

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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

    How to Find Mugshots: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (17)

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    Staff Answer

    This varies from one area to another. For example, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, many states do not have laws specifying whether mugshots should or should not be public record. In these cases, it’s up to individual agencies to decide whether or not to release their records.

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  • Question

    How long do mugshots stay online?

    How to Find Mugshots: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (18)

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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

    How to Find Mugshots: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (19)

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    Staff Answer

    This partially depends on where the mugshots are being hosted. Many commercial mugshot websites now state that they will only keep mugshots available for 90 days. In some states in the U.S., mugshot websites are obligated to remove the images within 30 days upon request.

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  • Question

    How do I find out where somebody is locked up?

    How to Find Mugshots: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (20)

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    Have their name and other information on hand if you want to find out where someone is locked up. If you find the city or area where the person was arrested, call the police department and ask to speak to the arresting officer as they may know where the inmate ended up.

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      About This Article

      How to Find Mugshots: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (35)

      Co-authored by:

      wikiHow Staff

      wikiHow Staff Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 1,631,835 times.

      328 votes - 29%

      Co-authors: 17

      Updated: April 19, 2024

      Views:1,631,835

      Categories: Law Enforcement

      Article SummaryX

      If you want to find a mugshot, visit findmugshots.com, then search by entering the person's first and last name, and the state. If you don't know their name, you can also browse through the listings. Alternatively, go to your state's Department of Corrections website, where you'll find an inmate locator tool to help you find a particular prisoner. Finally, if you'd rather search for mugshots on your phone, download an app such as JailBase, which includes millions of arrest records. For tips on how to search for arrest records you can't find online, read on!

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      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,631,835 times.

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      How to Find Mugshots: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      Where can I view local mugshots for free? ›

      Visit your state's department of corrections website.

      Every state in the U.S. should have a website, and you can use the inmate locator to find information about the prisoner. Some states will also publish mugshots. Type “your state” and “department of corrections” into your favorite web browser.

      How to find past mugshots for free in the USA? ›

      Check the websites of the police departments and sheriff's offices where you were arrested. Some law enforcement agencies post mugshots online, but not all. If you know the county where you were arrested, you can Google "(county) mugshot (name)" to see if there are any results. Search the FindMugshots website.

      Did Google remove mugshots? ›

      Google's removal policies can be very strict and they will likely not remove your mugshot unless you violate specific guidelines. Keep in mind that this request for removal is only applicable to Google search results. If the mugshot is still available on the original website, it will remain online.

      Can you see Texas mugshots? ›

      Please note that mugshots and criminal records are considered public information in Texas, and you can access them without formal authorization [2].

      What app shows local arrests? ›

      We partner with public safety and law enforcement agencies nationwide so you can receive timely access to information that keeps you and your loved ones safe. MobilePatrol focuses exclusively on public safety, so important information won't get lost between your friends' cat photos and the latest viral video!

      What is the best free website for public records? ›

      All Federal court records are available online at PACER.gov, an electronic public access service that is overseen by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. This includes all Federal civil court cases, criminal charges, as well as bankruptcies. In all, there are over 500 million documents on PACER.

      Is mugshots.com legit? ›

      In fact, their entire operation was permeated with fraud. Mugshots.com violated many California laws, as well as those in many other states. Money laundering and identity theft are serious crimes; the California Attorney General is serious about bringing perpetrators to justice.

      What are US mugshots? ›

      The term mugshot is an informal name for what's officially called a "police photograph" or a "booking photograph." Taking a picture of every arrested suspect became standard procedure in the late 1800s, not long after the invention of photography. Mugshots include both a front view and side view of the arrested person.

      Are mugshots public record in Florida? ›

      Yes, arrest records are public in Florida under the state's Sunshine Law (also called the Florida Public Records Law). Indexed in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, the Sunshine Law affords general access to public records, including arrest records, maintained by government departments.

      Are mugshots ever deleted? ›

      Unfortunately, mugshots can stay online indefinitely if steps are not taken to remove them. Even getting your records sealed or expunged, which is supposed to mean your case is confidential and a company should remove any trace of your arrest, does not necessarily delete a mugshot online.

      How do I delete photos from mugshots com? ›

      Here's how to manually opt out of Mugshots.com:

      Write an email to mugshots.com1@gmail.com to request the removal of your record. Be sure to include the record number and supporting documentation. Mugshots.com states that this must be signed by a judge, sealed by the court, and legible).

      How do I remove my criminal record from Google? ›

      Summary in 50 Words or Less: There is no way to completely erase or delete one's criminal history from the Internet, but there are some website which will take it down for a fee and other service providers who claim to erase your record from the Internet, but cannot do so completely.

      Does Texas release mugshots? ›

      In the state of Texas, mugshots and other arrest information are public information.

      Are mugshots public record in USA? ›

      Mugshot photos and arrest information are public record, no matter whether the charges are true or not. Once someone has been booked and had their mugshot taken, the arrest information becomes public domain.

      How to look up someone's criminal record for free in Texas? ›

      There are also no provisions for obtaining Texas criminal records for free. Such records can be obtained by mail or electronically from the Texas Department of Public Safety at the cost of $24.95. The requester can also get the criminal records from the county where the charges were brought.

      Are CT mugshots public? ›

      Individuals can access Connecticut Mugshot Records through various sources by requesting Connecticut arrest or criminal records.

      What is the best free inmate search? ›

      The best way to locate information on a federal prisoner for free is to go to the Bureau of Federal Prisons. Then, go to the inmate locator tab. You can search by inmate number or name. A list of results will appear with the inmates' names, ID number, age, sex, race, and release date, or prison location.

      How do I look up arrests in Georgia? ›

      Generally, there are two resources to resort to when attempting to find arrest records online in Georgia: official and third-party. Official sources include all government websites that may feature an arrest records database, such as a local sheriff's office website.

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