You search your name online and suddenly see a UniCourt listing sitting at the top of your Google searches. It shows your case number, party names, court proceedings, and other details you never expected to appear on the internet. If you’re here, you already know how fast a publicly indexed court record can affect reputation, employment, housing, partnerships, and basic peace of mind.
The 2001 E-Government Act requires federal courts to make their court records available online and it establishes privacy standards (i.e., excluding social security numbers and birthdays). This was a significant milestone as it marked the beginning of providing online federal court records to the general public.
By 2025, all fifty U.S. states will offer public access to their court records online; with Delaware being the last state to make its records available online, although its dockets are now accessible online. Unfortunately, these court records consistently appear high up in search engine results due to their focus on a person’s name. This article will cover removing your records from Unicourt, and what to do if you are denied.
How did my information end up on UniCourt?
The United States has long allowed records and court proceedings to be publicly reviewed. Similar sites include Trellis and PacerMonitor. The laws and regulations that permit public documents to be published or accessed online are rooted in the following:
- First Amendment.
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA),
- Each state’s public records law.
There are exceptions to these laws and regulations. For example, if an individual’s privacy is more important than the public’s need to access court information.
Challenges in Removing UniCourt Records
Removing UniCourt records is rarely straightforward. UniCourt’s policies make it clear that they do not delete a record unless the originating court changes it. If the court denies a redaction request, UniCourt keeps the listing. If the court denies sealing or expungement, the record remains public.
You may also encounter problems such as inaccurate information, outdated data that UniCourt has not refreshed, incorrect party names, or incorrect case numbers. Sometimes a removal request is denied simply because the court proceedings are still public, and UniCourt treats the record as legitimate public information.
These challenges are frustrating, especially when the record causes online reputation damage, but they can be overcome with a combination of legal documentation, requests to the correct agencies, and strategic reputation management.
How to remove information from UniCourt?
- Look for your court record on the UniCourt website.
- Locate the record that you want to remove.
- Copy the URL of the record you want to remove.
- Visit the Public Records Redaction Request page https://unicourt.com/case/removeRecord
- Fill out the form with your details and paste the URL you want to remove.
You will need to upload a supporting PDF showing that your record has been sealed.
UniCourt support will then review your court records and respond within 72 hours. Some of the factors they consider when removing (de-indexing) court records:
- Has the record been sealed or expunged by court order?
- Does the record expose the requester to an increased risk of physical harm?
- Is the requester a victim of identity theft, and is the record a result of this theft?
- Does the record concern and adversely affect a minor?
FAQs
Does UniCourt remove all records?
No. Only records that meet their redaction policy.
Can someone submit a request for me?
Yes, but UniCourt phone/email verification and court documentation.
How long does removal take?
Usually 10-14 days, additional time for search engine cleanup.
What if my request is denied?
You can appeal once, but you must submit new information or documentation.
What if the court won’t seal or expunge my record?
You can still suppress the listing and rebuild your online reputation.
Challenges When the Record Cannot Be Redacted or Sealed
Some courts do not allow redacting or sealing certain cases. Others reject requests because the case does not meet eligibility requirements. In many states, the law simply does not support removal.
When this happens, UniCourt will deny your request. You will have to focus on alternative solutions. Instead of focusing on deletion, you shift to controlling what appears in search results. You do this by creating accurate, credible, and updated information that pushes the UniCourt record below the first page of Google searches, which dramatically reduces its visibility.
Suppression is not removal. It is giving search engines better information than an outdated court record.
How NewReputation Helps When Removal Is Not Possible
When an expungement or seal is denied by courts, NewReputation can help you push down irrelevant content with new information. These can include interview content, media coverage of you, a business profile about you, a professional summary for you, and content that answers search intent much better than a UniCourt listing.
Since search engines (Google) favor authority when possible, if you provide information that is more relevant than the UniCourt listing, you are in control of how you present yourself online.
Conclusion
If your record can be sealed, expunged, or corrected, UniCourt will update automatically. If it can’t be redacted, you still have options. You can suppress the listing, build stronger pages that Google prefers, and take back control of your online identity.
The past may be in public records, but your future doesn’t have to be defined by what shows up in a search result. Contact NewReputation today and learn how we can help you remove a record from Unicourt.