Finding your name attached to a court record on Trellis.law is unsettling, especially when it shows up on the first page of Google. Whether the case is old, resolved, or feels completely irrelevant to who you are today, seeing it surface every time someone searches your name has real consequences for your reputation, your career, and your personal life.
This guide covers exactly what Trellis will and won’t do, how to submit a redaction request the right way, and what to do when the standard process isn’t enough.
More of a visual learner? Follow our visual guide from the Guaranteed Removals Reputation Academy.
What Our Data Actually Shows About Trellis Removals
Over the course of last year, our team at Erase.com processed 486 Trellis.law removal requests on behalf of clients. The results were more consistent than most people expect.
The more useful number for most people is timeline. The median removal time across all 486 cases was 7 days. More than half (56%) were resolved within a week, and 85% were done within two weeks. Only 1.7% of cases took longer than 30 days, and those were almost always tied to missing documentation or records where redaction alone wasn’t a sufficient outcome.
What I tell clients is this: Trellis is actually one of the more cooperative data brokers we deal with regularly. They process requests in order, they don’t require you to jump through verification hoops, and they don’t charge for redactions. The frustration people feel usually comes from Google’s side of the equation, not Trellis’s. Even after Trellis approves a removal, Google can take several more weeks to recrawl the page and update its index, which is why we always recommend submitting to Google’s Outdated Content Tool the same day your Trellis removal is confirmed.
The cases that drag past 30 days almost always have one thing in common: the record is unsealed and the client hasn’t yet explored sealing it through the court. Once that step is complete and you have a valid court order in hand, Trellis moves quickly.
Based on 486 Trellis.law removal requests processed by Erase.com over the past year.
What Is Trellis and Why Does It Have My Information?
Trellis.law is a legal database that aggregates public court records from state trial courts and federal courts. It’s designed to make legal research more accessible by organizing and republishing court documents.
Since court records are public information, Trellis legally republishes them. Unfortunately, this means your case details, like your name and personal information, might appear in search results, even if the case is resolved or irrelevant.
Can I Remove My Information from Trellis?
Yes, you can remove court records from Trellis, but only under specific circumstances:
- For sealed cases: Trellis will remove or redact records if you provide a valid court order.
- For unsealed cases: Trellis may redact your name as a courtesy, but the case will remain accessible unless it’s sealed by the court.
Trellis does not charge for redaction requests.
You can find more information about this from Trellis on their website: https://support.trellis.law/how-to-request-a-redaction
How to Remove Trellis Records
Follow these steps to remove or redact your court records from Trellis.law:
1. Collect the Necessary Information
- Go to Trellis.law Search and locate the record(s) you want to remove.
- Copy the URL of each case.
2. Submit a Redaction Request
- Open the docket of the case and click the Request Redaction link at the bottom right of the page.
- Complete the Request to Remove Records Form (click here to open):
- Enter your name and email address.
- Confirm if the record is about you.
- Provide a brief explanation for your request (e.g., privacy concerns or reputational harm).
- Attach a court order if the record is sealed.
- Submit the form for each URL individually.
3. Wait for Confirmation
Trellis processes requests in the order they’re received. If your request is approved, Trellis will redact or remove the specified information.
4. Seal Your Case (if unsealed)
If your record is unsealed, Trellis cannot fully remove it.
Work with an attorney to petition the court to seal your case.
Guidelines vary by state:
- California Rule 2.551(b)
- Texas Rule 76(a)
- New York Uniform Rules Section 216.1
- Florida Rule 2.059(c)(1) (PDF)
Once sealed, you can submit the court order to Trellis for full removal.
Speeding Up Google’s Removal Process
Even after Trellis redacts or removes your information, Google may take weeks to update its search results. To speed this up:
- Use Google’s Outdated Content Tool.
- Submit the URL and follow the prompts to request removal.
- For the changed content option, you should use your name as that will be the primary change to the page.
Because only your name will have been removed from the record, but the page is still live and indexed, it might take longer to come out of your search results than some other court record sites that we have removal guides for.
You might need to request Google to recrawl the page a couple of times and have a bit more patience with Trellis.
What If Trellis Denies My Request?
If Trellis declines your request or the record remains public, you have a few other options:
1. Suppress Negative Results
Create and optimize positive content to push Trellis links down in search rankings:
- Build a personal website or blog showcasing your professional expertise.
- Publish articles or posts with keywords tied to your name.
- Regularly update LinkedIn and other social profiles.
2. Petition for a Court Order
If your record contains sensitive information, work with an attorney to seal the case. Once sealed, Trellis is required to comply with removal requests.
3. Professional Help
Reputation management services specialize in removing or suppressing harmful records. Our team at Erase.com can guide you through the process, ensuring your online presence reflects your best self.
Key Takeaways
- Sealed Records: Provide a valid court order for full removal.
- Unsealed Records: Request redaction or sealing.
- Act Fast: Use Google’s Outdated Content Tool to speed up de-indexing.
- Build Your Reputation: Push down negative results with positive content.
- Seek Support: Reputation management experts can streamline the process.
Court records on Trellis.law don’t have to define your online story. By taking the right steps, like sealing records, submitting redaction requests, and optimizing your online presence, you can reclaim control of your narrative.
Need help removing Trellis.law records?
Erase.com’s reputation management experts can help you suppress negative records, remove harmful links, and take control of your online presence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trellis.law Removals
Can I remove my name from Trellis.law search results?
Yes. You can submit a redaction request directly through Trellis.law at no cost. Find the case you want removed, open the docket, and click the “Request Redaction” link in the bottom right of the page. You’ll fill out a short form with your name, email, and a brief reason for the request. Trellis processes these in order, and in our experience the median turnaround is about 7 days. Note that you need to submit a separate form for each case URL.
Will Trellis.law delete court records completely?
It depends on whether your record is sealed. If you have a valid court order sealing the case, Trellis will remove it entirely. For unsealed records, they will not delete the case itself, but they will often redact your name from it as a courtesy. The record stays live, only your identifying information is removed.
How much does it cost to remove a Trellis.law record?
Trellis does not charge for redaction or removal requests. Be cautious of any third-party service that claims to charge a flat fee specifically for submitting a Trellis form, that is something you can do yourself for free. If you hire a reputation management firm to handle the broader process, including Google de-indexing and suppression, pricing will vary based on the complexity of your situation.
How fast can I remove Trellis.law records from Google?
There are two timelines to understand here. Trellis’s side is generally fast, based on the cases we handled last year, more than half were resolved within 7 days and 85% within two weeks. Google’s side is slower. Because the page stays live after Trellis removes your name, Google needs to recrawl it before search results update, which typically adds several more weeks. Submitting the URL to Google’s Outdated Content Tool the same day your Trellis removal is confirmed is the best way to shorten that window.
What happens if Trellis denies my removal request?
If your record is unsealed, Trellis is not obligated to remove it and may decline. At that point you have two realistic paths. The first is working with an attorney to petition the court to seal the case, once you have a court order, Trellis must comply. The second is search suppression: building out positive content tied to your name so the Trellis link gets pushed off the first page of results. Most people end up doing some combination of both.
