Divorce, Lawsuit, or Court Case Showing Up When People Search Your Name

Why court records show up at all

In the United States, courts are generally open to the public, and so are most of their records. That principle is old and deliberate: public access lets people see how justice works. It also means that filings in divorces, lawsuits, small claims cases, evictions, and criminal cases are often available to anyone who asks.

For a long time, "available" meant going to the courthouse. Now many courts offer online access, and the federal courts provide case records through PACER. On top of that, private websites collect, republish, and index case information, so a case can appear in a simple name search.

That is why a divorce from years ago, a small claims dispute, or a lawsuit where you were named as one of many defendants can surface when someone looks you up.

Where the search results usually come from

It helps to identify the source, because each one has different options.

Court websites and portals. Some state and county courts publish case search tools. These pages are often not indexed by search engines, but some are.

Case-listing and legal research sites. Third-party sites that collect court dockets and filings and make them searchable. These are a common source of name search results for lawsuits.

News coverage. A local story about a lawsuit, a contested divorce, or a business dispute.

People-search and background sites. Sites that compile public records, including court records, into profiles.

Legal blogs and opinion databases. Published court opinions, which can name parties, sometimes appear in results.

What courts protect, and what you can ask for

Courts have rules about what should not appear in public filings. In federal court, Rule 5.2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure generally requires filings to include only the last four digits of a Social Security number or financial account number, only the year of a person's birth, and only the initials of a minor. Many state courts have similar rules.

If a filing in your case shows a full Social Security number, a full account number, or a child's full name, contact the court clerk and ask how to request redaction. Your lawyer, if you had one, can also file a request.

Family court cases often have additional protections. Some states restrict online access to divorce and custody records, or seal certain documents automatically. Rules vary widely, so check your state court's website or ask the clerk.

Sealing and expungement

Sealing and expungement are legal processes that limit access to court records. Cornell's Legal Information Institute describes expungement as the process by which a record is destroyed or sealed. Who qualifies, and what exactly happens, depends on the state and the type of case.

Some general points:

If you think your case might qualify, a lawyer or your court's self-help center can explain the process and requirements.

• Criminal records are the most common subject of expungement and sealing laws, often for dismissed cases, minor offenses, or cases resolved long ago.
• Civil cases, like divorces and lawsuits, can sometimes be sealed, but courts usually require a strong reason because of the public access principle.
• Sealing a record at the court does not automatically remove copies on third-party websites or in news archives. You may need to send proof of the sealing to those sites and ask them to update.

What to ask third-party sites

Case-listing sites and people-search sites are private businesses with their own policies. Some will remove or limit a listing on request, especially if the case was sealed or expunged, or if the listing includes errors. Others will not.

When you contact them:

For people-search sites, use their opt-out process. These sites often show court records alongside addresses and relatives. Our guide to arrest records and background checks covers how background check companies handle records.

• Give the exact URL
• Explain briefly what you are asking for: correction, removal, or redaction
• Attach proof, such as a sealing order, if that is your reason
• Keep it short and polite

What Google can and cannot do

Google does not generally remove accurate court records or case listings from search results. Its personal information policy can apply if a result shows covered information, such as your Social Security number, bank account number, or an image of your ID, or if your contact details appear in a way that fits its policies.

If a court seals or expunges your record and the third-party site removes or updates its page, you can use Google's refresh outdated content tool to ask Google to update its copy. See Google's removal policies explained.

If a court orders specific content removed, that order can be submitted through Google's legal removal process.

News coverage of a court case

If a news story covers your case, the options in getting an old news article updated apply. If the case ended differently than the story suggests, for example the lawsuit against you was dismissed, ask for an update with proof.

Building a current picture

Court records describe one moment. If a case is showing up for your name, the best long-term step is making sure searchers also see who you are now. A personal site, a complete professional profile, and accurate listings at organizations you belong to give people more context. See can you push down negative results.

When to talk to a lawyer

Talk to a lawyer licensed in your state if:

Many courts have self-help centers, and many bar associations run lawyer referral services.

• You want to explore sealing or expungement
• A filing contains information that should have been redacted and the clerk cannot help
• A site is publishing something that a court has ordered sealed
• You are in an ongoing case and want to know what you can say publicly

Keeping your own records in order

Whatever path you choose, keep a simple folder. Save the case number, the court name, and copies of any final orders, including dismissals, sealing orders, or expungement orders. Write down the date you contacted each website and what they said. If a site asks for proof later, you will have it ready instead of having to request copies again from the court clerk, which can take time and sometimes costs a fee.

Common questions

Sources

1. Rule 5.2: Privacy Protection For Filings Made with the Court (Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School)
2. expunge (Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School)
3. PACER: Public Access to Court Electronic Records (Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts)
4. Remove my private info from Google Search (Google Search Help)
5. Refresh outdated content (Google Search Help)