How to Remove or Update an Article About You on The Washington Post

To remove yourself from The Washington Post, use the official opt-out page at Washington Post help center. undefined

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Quick facts

ContactWashington Post help center
CostFree
VerificationWritten request with documents
Account neededNo
Processing timeVaries by publisher
Last reviewedOctober 2026

Step by step

How to request removal or an update from The Washington Post

Copy the article URLFind the article that mentions you and copy its exact URL.
Decide what to ask forUnpublishing, removing your name (anonymization), adding an update about the case outcome, or adding a noindex tag.
Gather documentsCourt records showing dismissal, acquittal, expungement, or corrected facts make requests far stronger.
Contact the right editorSend a short, respectful request to The Washington Post’s standards, corrections, or digital editor through its contact page.
Clean up search and copiesOnce the article changes, use Google’s Refresh Outdated Content tool and ask syndication sites to update their copies.

What The Washington Post shows about you

News articles and archives
Names, photos, and arrest or court details
Syndicated copies on partner sites

After you opt out

Search your name on the site again in a private browser window to confirm the listing is gone.
Opt out of related sites separately; one request rarely covers every brand.
If Google still shows the old page, use Google’s Refresh Outdated Content tool once the listing is removed.
Re-check every few months, because profiles can reappear when databases refresh.

FAQ

The Washington Post opt-out FAQ

Will The Washington Post delete an old article about me?

Publishers decide case by case. Many will update an article with the outcome of a case or remove a name from an old story about a minor matter, especially with court documents.