How to Remove Yourself from Intelius
Intelius is part of the PeopleConnect family. Opting out removes you from ZabaSearch and US Search too.
Last updated: February 2026
5-10 min
Time needed
Medium
Difficulty
Up to 72 hr
Removal time
What Intelius Collects About You
Intelius operates multiple people-search sites under the PeopleConnect umbrella. A typical Intelius profile includes:
- Full name and known aliases
- Current and past addresses (10-20 years)
- Phone numbers and email addresses
- Relatives and associates
- Age and date of birth
- Criminal records and court records
- Property ownership records
Bonus: Three-for-One Removal
Intelius, ZabaSearch, and US Search are all owned by PeopleConnect. Opting out of Intelius automatically removes you from all three sites. You don't need separate requests for each one.
Step-by-Step Removal Process
Step 1: Go to the Opt-Out Page
Visit intelius.com/opt-out. This form is often hard to find — it's buried in the footer under "Privacy" or "Do Not Sell My Info".
Step 2: Enter Your Information
Provide your full name, state, and email address. Unlike some brokers, Intelius requires your state to narrow down which listings to remove.
ID Verification May Be Required
Some users report that Intelius requests photo ID for verification. This is more common if you have a common name or multiple profiles. If asked, you'll need to upload a driver's license or passport. This is legitimate — it prevents abuse of the opt-out system.
Step 3: Complete the CAPTCHA
Solve the CAPTCHA verification and submit the form. Intelius will send a confirmation email.
Step 4: Confirm via Email
Check your email and click the confirmation link. Your request is not processed until you confirm. Check spam/junk folders if you don't see it within 10-15 minutes.
Step 5: Verify Removal
After 72 hours, search for yourself on Intelius, ZabaSearch, and US Search to confirm removal. If your profile is still visible, wait another 24 hours — processing times vary.
After You Submit
- Wait up to 72 hours for removal to process across all PeopleConnect sites
- Check all three sites — Intelius, ZabaSearch, and US Search should all show no results
- Document it — note the date and use our Opt-Out Tracker to stay organized
If Your Data Comes Back
Like all data brokers, Intelius continuously scrapes public records. Your data can reappear. If it does:
- Submit a new opt-out request (same process as above)
- Check if the data is from a new public record — property purchase, voter registration, court records, etc.
- If you're in California, file a complaint with the CPPA under the CCPA
- Consider using your state's privacy laws — check our State Rights Lookup
Pro Tip: Reduce Future Data Collection
Use a P.O. box for public-facing addresses, opt out of voter roll disclosure (where allowed), and avoid posting personal info on social media. This reduces the raw data Intelius can collect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is opting out of Intelius really free?
Yes. Intelius's opt-out is completely free. You don't need to create an account or provide payment information. If any site asks for payment to remove you from Intelius, it's a scam.
Will opting out of Intelius remove me from other data brokers?
Partially. Opting out removes you from all PeopleConnect sites (Intelius, ZabaSearch, US Search). However, it does not affect other brokers like Spokeo, BeenVerified, Whitepages, or MyLife. You'll need to opt out of those separately — see our complete data broker opt-out guide.
Why does Intelius ask for photo ID?
ID verification prevents people from maliciously removing someone else's data. It's more common if you have a common name or multiple profiles. This is a legitimate security measure — upload a driver's license or passport if asked.
Can I opt out on behalf of someone else?
You can submit the request, but they should use their own email for confirmation. If ID verification is required, they'll need to upload their own photo ID. You cannot complete ID verification on behalf of another person.
Also Remove Yourself From
Intelius is just one of dozens of data brokers. For maximum protection, also remove yourself from:
Spokeo
Email confirmation required
Whitepages
Phone verification required
BeenVerified
Straightforward process
MyLife
Phone-only removal
Intelius, PeopleConnect, and Your State Privacy Rights
Intelius is owned by PeopleConnect, which also operates Instant Checkmate, TruthFinder, and US Search — one opt-out request often removes you from all four sister brands. Under California's CCPA, as amended by the CPRA (effective January 1, 2023), Civil Code §1798.105 gives California residents the right to request deletion, §1798.120 provides an opt-out from "sale" or "sharing," and §1798.121 restricts the use of sensitive personal information. These rights apply squarely to Intelius's background-check profiles, which contain exactly the "personal information" defined in §1798.140(v).
Five comprehensive state laws took effect in 2023 (Virginia's VCDPA, Colorado's CPA, Connecticut's CTDPA, Utah's UCPA, and Iowa later in 2024), followed by Texas's TDPSA (July 1, 2024), Oregon's OCPA (July 1, 2024), and Montana's MCDPA (October 1, 2024). Each gives residents a 45-day statutory deadline for controllers to respond to deletion requests, with one 45-day extension. PeopleConnect's subsidiary Instant Checkmate paid a $5.8 million FTC settlement in 2023 (In re Instant Checkmate, Inc.) for FCRA violations related to selling consumer reports without required certifications — a direct reminder that PeopleConnect entities are already on regulators' radar.
Intelius is registered with the California Privacy Protection Agency under the state's Data Broker Registration Law (Civil Code §1798.99.80). Once the California Delete Act (SB 362) one-stop deletion portal launches on August 1, 2026, a single request will reach Intelius and every other registered broker. Until then: submit your individual request via Intelius's opt-out page, save a timestamped screenshot of the confirmation, and track the 45-day statutory window. If it lapses without removal, complaints go to the CPPA (California) or state Attorney General.
Track Your Progress
Use our Opt-Out Tracker to keep track of which brokers you've submitted requests to, when to follow up, and whether your data has been removed.