How to Remove Yourself from OpenPublicRecords

Finding your personal information on OpenPublicRecords can feel like discovering someone has been reading your diary and posting excerpts online. This data broker aggregates and publishes public records—everything from your home address and phone number to property ownership and court records—making them easily searchable by anyone with an internet connection. While the site claims to provide a public service by organizing government records, the reality is that it creates a convenient one-stop shop for stalkers, identity thieves, and anyone else who wants to dig into your private life.

OpenPublicRecords operates in the murky space between public information and personal privacy. Yes, many of these records are technically public, but there's a significant difference between someone physically visiting a courthouse to request documents and having your entire life history available through a simple Google search. The good news? You can remove yourself from OpenPublicRecords, though it requires patience and attention to detail. This guide will walk you through exactly how to delete your OpenPublicRecords profile and protect your privacy.

What Is OpenPublicRecords and Why Your Information Appears There

OpenPublicRecords is a data broker that aggregates information from thousands of government databases, public records repositories, and other sources. The platform compiles voter registration records, property deeds, court documents, professional licenses, marriage and divorce records, and other publicly available information into searchable profiles.

The site monetizes this data through advertising and by encouraging users to purchase premium reports with additional details. Like most data brokers, OpenPublicRecords doesn't create this information—they simply make it disturbingly easy to access. Your data likely appears on the platform because:

• Government records are digitized: As courthouses, DMVs, and other agencies moved records online, data brokers began scraping these databases automatically
• Voter registration is public: In most states, voter rolls containing names, addresses, birth years, and party affiliations are available for purchase or download
• Property records are accessible: When you buy or sell property, those transactions become public record, including the sale price and your name
• Court documents are filed publicly: Civil lawsuits, divorces, criminal records, and other court proceedings create a paper trail
• Professional licenses are published: State licensing boards for doctors, lawyers, contractors, and other professionals maintain public directories

The platform uses automated web scraping and data aggregation technology to continuously update profiles. This means even if you successfully remove yourself, your information may reappear if new public records become available.

Step-by-Step OpenPublicRecords Opt Out Process

Removing yourself from OpenPublicRecords requires following their specific removal procedure. The process is intentionally cumbersome—like most data brokers, they don't make it easy to opt out because their business model depends on having as much data as possible. Here's exactly how to remove from OpenPublicRecords:

Step 1: Locate Your Listing

Before you can request removal, you need to find your specific profile URL:

• Navigate to openpublicrecords.com in your web browser
• Use the search function to find your profile by entering your full name and state
• Review the search results carefully—there may be multiple profiles if you've lived in different locations or if there are others with similar names
• Click on each relevant profile to verify it contains your information
• Copy the exact URL of each profile you want removed (you'll need this for the opt-out request)

Step 2: Access the Opt-Out Form

OpenPublicRecords provides a dedicated removal page, though they don't make it prominent on their main site:

• Navigate to the OpenPublicRecords opt-out page (typically found by searching "OpenPublicRecords opt out" or checking their privacy policy footer)
• Look for language about "privacy requests" or "record removal"
• The form may require you to verify you're not a bot using a CAPTCHA

Important note: Data broker opt-out pages frequently change URLs or move locations on their websites. If you cannot locate the removal form, check the site's privacy policy page for a link to privacy rights or data removal requests.

Step 3: Complete the Removal Request

When filling out the OpenPublicRecords removal form:

• Enter your full name exactly as it appears on the profile
• Paste the profile URL(s) you copied earlier—this is crucial for identifying the correct record
• Provide a valid email address where they can send confirmation (consider using a privacy-focused email or alias)
• Some forms may ask for additional verification like your current address or phone number
• Do not provide more information than required—you're trying to remove data, not give them more

Step 4: Verify Your Identity (If Required)

Some data brokers, including OpenPublicRecords, may require identity verification to process removal requests. This typically involves:

• Confirming your email address by clicking a link sent to your inbox
• Providing additional identifying information to prove you're the subject of the record
• In some cases, submitting a copy of government ID (redact unnecessary information like your ID number)

While providing ID to remove your information feels counterintuitive, it's sometimes necessary to comply with privacy laws that require verification to prevent malicious removal of others' information.

Step 5: Submit and Document

After completing the form:

• Click the submit button and take a screenshot of the confirmation page
• Note the date and time of your submission
• Save any confirmation email you receive
• Set a calendar reminder to check back in 7-10 business days

Documentation is critical if your removal request isn't processed or if your information reappears later.

What Information OpenPublicRecords Collects and Displays

Understanding exactly what data OpenPublicRecords exposes helps you assess your privacy risk and prioritize which profiles to remove first. The platform typically displays:

Basic Identifying Information:

• Full legal name (including maiden names and aliases)
• Current and previous addresses going back decades
• Age and approximate birth date
• Phone numbers (landline and mobile)
• Email addresses

Public Records Data:

• Property ownership records and transaction history
• Mortgage information and property values
• Voter registration details including party affiliation
• Professional licenses and certifications
• Business registrations and corporate filings
• Court records including civil suits, divorces, and criminal cases
• Bankruptcy filings
• Liens and judgments

Derived and Aggregated Data:

• Possible relatives and associates
• Neighbors and previous neighbors
• Education history
• Estimated income ranges
• Demographic information

The most concerning aspect isn't any single data point—it's the comprehensive profile created by aggregating dozens of sources. This detailed dossier enables identity theft, stalking, social engineering attacks, and targeted scams. According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft affected 1.4 million people in 2023, with data brokers providing much of the raw material criminals use to impersonate victims.

How Long OpenPublicRecords Removal Takes

The timeline for removing your information from OpenPublicRecords varies, but here's what to expect:

Initial processing: 7-10 business days is the standard timeframe cited by most data brokers, including OpenPublicRecords. However, actual removal often takes longer.

Verification delays: If identity verification is required, add another 3-5 days to the timeline while you respond to their requests and they process your documentation.

Complete removal: From initial request to complete disappearance from search results, expect 2-4 weeks minimum. Some users report waiting 30-45 days for full removal.

Search engine caching: Even after OpenPublicRecords removes your profile, it may still appear in Google search results for several additional weeks until search engines re-crawl the site and update their index. You can expedite this by requesting URL removal through Google Search Console.

Reappearance risk: Here's the frustrating reality—your information may reappear on OpenPublicRecords weeks or months after successful removal if they scrape new public records containing your data. This is why one-time manual removal is often insufficient for long-term privacy protection.

During the waiting period, check your profile URL every few days. If it returns a 404 error or "profile not found" message, your removal was successful. If the profile remains active after 15 business days, follow up by submitting another request and referencing your original submission date.

How to Verify Your OpenPublicRecords Removal Was Successful

Confirming your information is actually gone requires more than just checking the original profile URL. Follow these verification steps:

Direct Site Check

• Visit the original profile URL you submitted for removal
• Verify it shows a "not found" error or has been removed
• Perform a new search on OpenPublicRecords using your name and location
• Check for any remaining profiles or new listings that may have been created

Search Engine Verification

Your OpenPublicRecords profile may have been indexed by search engines, creating additional privacy exposure:

• Search Google for: `site:openpublicrecords.com "Your Full Name"`
• Check the results for any remaining links to your information
• If cached versions appear, click the three dots next to the result and select "Cached" to see if it's outdated
• Consider submitting a URL removal request through Google Search Console for any lingering results

Monitor for Reappearance

Set up monitoring to catch if your data returns:

• Create a Google Alert for your name + "openpublicrecords"
• Check back monthly for the first six months after removal
• Document any reappearances with screenshots and dates
• Submit new removal requests immediately if your profile reappears

Verify Associated Data Points

Sometimes data brokers remove main profiles but leave fragments:

• Search for your phone number on the site
• Search for your address
• Check if you still appear in relatives' or associates' profiles

Complete removal means zero traces of your information across the entire platform, not just your main profile page.

Preventing Future OpenPublicRecords Listings

Removing yourself once is only the beginning. Preventing your information from reappearing requires ongoing vigilance and proactive privacy measures:

Limit New Public Records Creation

While you can't completely avoid creating public records, you can minimize them:

• Use a registered agent service for business filings instead of your home address
• Consider a PO Box or commercial mail receiving agency (CMRA) for official correspondence
• Request confidentiality programs if you're a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or work in law enforcement (most states offer address confidentiality programs)
• Opt out of voter registration public access where state law permits
• Use trusts or LLCs for property ownership to keep your name off public records

Reduce Your Digital Footprint

Data brokers supplement public records with information scraped from online sources:

• Remove old social media profiles you no longer use
• Tighten privacy settings on active accounts
• Avoid posting location information, check-ins, or identifying details publicly
• Use different email addresses for public-facing activities versus sensitive accounts
• Consider using a VPN to prevent websites from logging your IP address and location

Regular Monitoring and Removal

Your information will likely reappear on OpenPublicRecords and other data brokers over time:

• Set quarterly reminders to check OpenPublicRecords and other major data brokers
• Submit new removal requests as needed
• Keep documentation of all removal requests and confirmations
• Track which brokers are most persistent about re-listing your information

Understand Your Legal Rights

Several privacy laws give you rights to control your personal information:

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): If you're a California resident, you have the right to request deletion of personal information held by data brokers. Companies must comply within 45 days of a verified request.

Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA): Virginia residents can request deletion of personal data, with companies required to respond within 45 days.

Colorado Privacy Act (CPA): Colorado residents have similar deletion rights effective July 2023.

Other state laws: Connecticut, Utah, Montana, Oregon, and Texas have enacted comprehensive privacy laws with varying effective dates and provisions.

When submitting removal requests, consider citing these laws if applicable. Phrases like "I am a California resident exercising my right to deletion under CCPA" may receive faster processing.

The Problem with Manual Data Broker Removal

If you've made it this far, you've probably realized that removing yourself from OpenPublicRecords is tedious, time-consuming work—and it's just one data broker among thousands. The harsh reality of manual removal:

It's overwhelming: OpenPublicRecords is one of 2,100+ data brokers actively collecting and selling your information. Removing yourself from just the major brokers would require submitting hundreds of individual opt-out requests, each with different procedures, verification requirements, and forms.

It's temporary: Most people who manually remove themselves from data brokers see their information reappear within 3-6 months. Data brokers continuously scrape new sources and re-add profiles, meaning you'd need to repeat this process quarterly or monthly to maintain privacy.

It's inconsistent: Some brokers make removal relatively straightforward, while others require mailing notarized documents, calling phone numbers during limited hours, or navigating deliberately confusing opt-out procedures designed to discourage requests.

It's incomplete: Even if you successfully remove yourself from the 50 largest data brokers, hundreds of smaller brokers will still expose your information. These smaller sites often appear in search results and are accessed by scammers, stalkers, and identity thieves.

It's ongoing: New data brokers launch regularly, and existing ones change their opt-out procedures, URLs, and requirements. What works today may not work next month.

Alternative: Automated Removal with GhostMyData

For most people, manually removing themselves from data brokers isn't sustainable. This is why automated removal services exist—to handle the tedious, ongoing work of privacy protection.

GhostMyData takes a fundamentally different approach than doing it yourself or using limited competitor services. Here's what makes it effective:

Comprehensive coverage: While manual removal means you'll inevitably miss brokers, and competing services cover only 35-500 sites, GhostMyData monitors and removes your information from 2,100+ data brokers. This includes major platforms like OpenPublicRecords and hundreds of smaller brokers that most people have never heard of but that still expose your data.

AI-powered automation: The platform uses 24 specialized AI agents that understand the unique opt-out procedures for each data broker. These agents work continuously to submit removal requests, verify removals, and re-submit when your information reappears—handling the repetitive work that makes manual removal unsustainable.

Ongoing monitoring: Unlike one-time manual removal, automated services continuously scan for your information across all covered brokers. When your data reappears (and it will), removal requests are submitted automatically without requiring your attention.

Time savings: The average person spends 20-30 hours removing themselves from just the top 50 data brokers, then must repeat this process every few months. Automated removal handles this work in the background while you focus on your life.

Getting started is straightforward: run a free scan to see exactly where your information appears across data brokers. You'll receive a detailed report showing which sites expose your data and what information they're displaying. From there, you can choose to tackle removals manually or let GhostMyData handle the ongoing work automatically.

The pricing is designed to be accessible, especially considering the time investment required for DIY removal. You can also compare services to understand how comprehensive coverage of 2,100+ brokers differs from competitors' limited approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal for OpenPublicRecords to publish my information?

Yes, in most cases. OpenPublicRecords aggregates information from public records, which are generally accessible under freedom of information laws and public records statutes. However, just because something is legal doesn't mean it's ethical or that you're powerless. Privacy laws like CCPA, VCDPA, and similar state statutes give you the right to request deletion of your information from data brokers, even if they legally obtained it. The key is exercising these rights through proper opt-out procedures.

Will removing myself from OpenPublicRecords affect my credit score or background checks?

No. Removing your information from data broker sites like OpenPublicRecords does not impact your credit reports, credit scores, or legitimate background checks. Credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) maintain separate databases that are regulated under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Similarly, background check companies used by employers and landlords access different sources. You're simply removing your information from a public-facing search site, not from official records or credit reporting systems.

How often will I need to remove myself from OpenPublicRecords?

Unfortunately, removal is rarely permanent. Your information may reappear on OpenPublicRecords every 3-6 months as they scrape new public records or re-aggregate data from other sources. This is why many privacy-conscious individuals either set quarterly reminders to check and re-submit removal requests or use automated removal services that handle ongoing monitoring and re-submission. The frequency depends on how often new public records are created with your information and how aggressively OpenPublicRecords updates its database.

Can I remove someone else's information from OpenPublicRecords?

Generally, no. Data brokers require that removal requests come from the individual whose information appears in the listing, and most require some form of identity verification. This protects against malicious actors trying to remove information about others. However, if you're a parent or legal guardian, you can typically request removal of your minor child's information. If you're concerned about someone else's information appearing on the site (such as a vulnerable family member), you should help them submit their own removal request rather than attempting to do it on their behalf.

Does OpenPublicRecords removal protect me from all people search sites?

No. OpenPublic