How do I submit a subpoena to Facebook?
Asked by: Savanna Herzog | Last update: February 9, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (75 votes)
To submit a subpoena to Facebook (Meta), authorized law enforcement officials use the Law Enforcement Online Request System (LEORS) at facebook.com/records, while others must serve the court order on Meta Platforms, Inc. (or Ireland Ltd.) in Menlo Park, CA, following specific U.S. or international legal procedures, often via email (legal@fb.com) or mail, providing detailed account info like user IDs for basic subscriber data, not message content. Requests must be valid court orders, specify accounts by URL or User ID, and adhere to Meta's terms and applicable laws, with emergency requests going to subpoena@fb.com for potential harm.
How do I serve a subpoena to Facebook?
via e-mail to: subpoena@fb.com ; or 3. mail to our Headquarters: Facebook, Inc. Attn: Security Department/Custodian of Records 1601 S. California Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 U.S.A.
Where to send subpoena to meta?
Please address your legal requests for Facebook or Instagram user data to: Meta Platforms, Inc. 1 Meta Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
How hard is it to subpoena Facebook messages?
To substantiate allegations of an affair, often in a divorce one party will want to see the message content from the opposing party's Facebook and other social media accounts. Unfortunately, message content is extremely difficult to obtain directly from Facebook or other social media sites via a civil subpoena.
Will Facebook respond to a subpoena for account info?
If a party submits a valid subpoena request, Facebook will review the request and determine whether it meets the legal requirements for issuing a subpoena. If so, Facebook will issue the subpoena and provide its response to the party. If not, it will notify the party that their request is insufficient and explain why.
How to Get Texts Admitted as Evidence in Court
How much does it cost to subpoena Facebook?
Facebook charges amandatoiy, non-refundable processing fee of $500.00 per user account. Please enclose payment with your properly served subpoenas. A custodian declaration wiH be included with the return of materials, if any. Notarized declarations cany an additional $100.00 fee.
How do I contact Facebook for legal reasons?
You can try emailing the company at either press@FB.com for media inquiries and records@FB.com for law enforcement or legal purposes.
Can deleted Facebook messages be recovered with subpoena for divorce?
Think deleting a message or social media post makes it disappear forever? Think again. In California family law cases, deleted digital content—whether from texts, emails, or social platforms—may still be recovered and used as evidence.
Can you subpoena Facebook for deleted posts?
Can the Court Access Deleted Content? Yes, even if you delete the post, the Court may still obtain those posts through a subpoena. A subpoena is a formal court order requiring you to comply with certain instructions–including having law enforcement access your deleted content.
Can deleted Facebook messages be used in court?
Courts treat social media the same way they treat other forms of evidence. Relevant and properly authenticated material can be admitted into the record. This includes screenshots, metadata, account records, and even deleted posts when retrievable.
Has anyone gotten their Facebook settlement money yet?
Yes, many people have received payments from the $725 million Facebook privacy settlement (In re: Facebook, Inc. Consumer Privacy User Profile Litigation) starting in late 2025, with average payouts around $30-$40, depending on account usage between May 2007 and December 2022; eligible claimants who filed by the 2023 deadline received funds via their chosen method (PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, check, etc.) after an email confirmation.
What reasons can you appeal on Facebook?
If you believe your Page was taken down or received limits by mistake, submit an appeal by going to the Page and clicking Appeal at the top. Accounts that do not follow Community Standards or Terms of Service may be suspended.
How can I contact Mark Zuckerberg directly?
Contacting Mark Zuckerberg directly is extremely difficult due to layers of staff, but you can try his official social media accounts (@zuck on Facebook/Instagram), use general Meta contact channels for specific issues (like press or legal), or potentially reach him via high-level networking or speaking engagements if you're a public figure/business. For most user issues, use Facebook's official support channels rather than trying to reach him personally, as his team handles most communication.
Can a lawyer subpoena Facebook?
Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye's opinion saw the case remanded back to the trial court. This comes as a big blow to social media and tech giants Google, Facebook, and Apple, and allows defense lawyers to subpoena these companies for admissible information required to defend their client's rights.
How much will one person get from a Facebook settlement?
For the major $725 million Facebook User Privacy Settlement, payouts average around $30 per person, but amounts vary based on how long you used Facebook between May 2007 and December 2022, with some receiving as little as $4.89 or as much as $38.36, depending on claim activity and the final fund size after fees. Payments began in late 2025 after appeals were resolved, with claimants receiving email notifications before their payment arrived via their chosen method (check, Venmo, etc.).
What proof is needed for slander?
To prove slander (spoken defamation), you must show the defendant made a false statement of fact, communicated it to a third party, did so with at least negligence or actual malice, and that it caused you actual harm or damages, like financial loss, with truth being a complete defense. Evidence often includes witnesses, recordings, and financial records to prove the statement's falsehood, publication, and resulting damages.
Where to send a subpoena to Facebook?
Requests may be faxed to + 1 (650) 644-3229, sent via e-mail to subpoena@facebook.com OR mailed to: Facebook, Inc. 1601 S. California Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 U.S.A.
Can police recover deleted Facebook posts?
Just because the messages were deleted from your phone or Facebook account doesn't mean they don't exist anymore. Your carrier can keep a copy of your texts and Facebook can keep a copy of your posts, and the police can ask for a copy of them.
How many reports does it take to get a Facebook post removed?
The number of times something is reported doesn't determine whether or not it's removed from Facebook. We use the same guidelines each time we review whether a profile goes against our Community Standards.
What is the biggest mistake during a divorce?
The biggest mistake during a divorce often involves letting emotions drive decisions, leading to poor financial choices, using children as weapons, failing to plan for the future, or getting bogged down in petty fights that escalate costs and conflict, ultimately hurting all parties involved, especially the kids. Key errors include not getting legal/financial advice, fighting over small assets, exaggerating claims, and neglecting your own well-being.
How far back can a subpoena get text messages?
When it comes to subpoenas, text messages can theoretically be requested as far back as they exist. If a message has been preserved on a device, in backups, or cloud storage, it can be subpoenaed regardless of when it was sent.
How to clean up your Facebook after a divorce?
5 Post-Divorce Facebook Cleanups
- Change Your Relationship Status. This is the big one. ...
- Remove Any Unwanted Facebook Milestones. Going through your timeline, you will likely find several Facebook “milestones” tied to your marriage. ...
- Delete Old Pictures of Your Ex-Wife. ...
- Remove Tagged Photos.
Can deleted Facebook messages be recovered with subpoena?
When a court order or legal request is issued, Facebook evaluates it for validity and compliance with laws and its own policies. If the request is deemed legitimate, Facebook can access and provide the requested data, which may include deleted messages.
Can you call the police over a Facebook post?
🚫 Officers cannot be sent based on a post or private message. To report something: 📞 Call 911 for emergencies 📞 Call the non-emergency number for anything else.