Removals and Corrections
Effective October 18, 2026
Public records can still hurt people when they're wrong, out of date or legally closed. Use this page to ask us to remove, hide or fix something on SOS.city. Requests are free.
Email removals@sos.city or use the form on this page. Tell us:
- the link to the record on SOS.city (or the source and record ID)
- what's wrong, or why it should come down
- how to reach you
- any document that supports it, such as a court order or a sealing or expungement order. Black out anything we don't need to see.
What we remove, and how fast
| Reason | What we do | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Sealed or expunged record, or a court order | Remove it from the library, the API and the archive, and block it from coming back | Within 48 hours of a valid request |
| Personal safety: you're a survivor of domestic violence, stalking or trafficking, or in a confidential-address programme like California's Safe at Home | Remove your address and identifying details | Within 48 hours |
| Protected public officials: judges, election officials and others whose home details the law protects (for example the federal Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act, and California's protections for officials' home addresses) | Remove the home address and personal details | Within 48 hours of a written demand |
| Juvenile records or records about a minor | Remove them | Within 48 hours |
| Wrong information: the source is wrong, or we copied it wrong | If our copy is wrong, we fix it. If the source is wrong, we add a note and point you to the agency, which controls the original. | Within 10 business days |
| Out-of-date information: the source has changed | We refresh our copy from the source | Within 10 business days |
| Business information: your business's details are wrong | We correct it to match the official registry, or note the dispute | Within 10 business days |
California eviction records are masked as Code of Civil Procedure §1161.2 requires, and are shown only in aggregate.
A record we remove is listed on our internal takedown list, so automated updates and our reviewers don't add it back. We keep a minimal note of the request (the record and the legal reason), only so the block keeps working.
What we can't do. We can't change the government's own copy. To fix or seal the original, contact the agency or court. We'll tell you which one when we reply.
Copyright (DMCA)
We respect copyright. If you believe something on SOS.city infringes your copyright, send our designated agent a notice with:
- your physical or electronic signature
- the copyrighted work you say is infringed
- the material you want removed and where it is on SOS.city (a link)
- your name, address, phone number and email
- a statement that you believe in good faith the use isn't authorised by the owner, its agent or the law
- a statement that the information in your notice is accurate and, under penalty of perjury, that you are the owner or authorised to act for the owner
Designated agent: 5arz Inc., attention Copyright Agent, 16192 Coastal Highway, Lewes, DE 19958, USA, copyright@sos.city.
If your material was removed and you believe that was a mistake, you can send a counter-notice that meets 17 U.S.C. §512(g). We'll terminate the accounts of repeat infringers in appropriate circumstances.
Most government works in the United States aren't protected by copyright. We index and link public records, and we honour each source's licence (see Sources and Licences).
Bad-faith requests
Don't use this process to hide accurate public information about public bodies, businesses or officials' public conduct when no legal or safety reason applies. Knowingly false statements in a copyright notice can create liability under 17 U.S.C. §512(f).