How far back can text messages be subpoenaed by Verizon?
Asked by: Larue Ryan | Last update: September 28, 2025Score: 5/5 (65 votes)
Verizon Wireless keeps text message content for up to five days. However, they retain the metadata, like the date, sender, and recipient, for 90 days. The Verizon Security Assistance Team handles subpoenas and court orders for Verizon Custodian of Records.
How far back can I get text records from Verizon?
How far back can I get my Verizon usage activity details? You can sign in to My Verizon through your desktop computer to get: Talk, text and messaging activity details and spreadsheets for the last 90 days. 18 months of past bill statements, which include billed usage summaries.
How far back can you subpoena deleted text messages?
Generally, you can use text messages as evidence as far back as two years or more, depending on your jurisdictional regulations and if the messages are relevant to the case.
How hard is it to get a subpoena for text messages?
Subpoena for text messages is a difficult area of discovery practice. The fact is that the service provider, absent some bizarre situation, does not store the information, so obtaining text messages really must come from the opposing party.
Can Verizon pull old text messages?
Will Verizon Recover Deleted Text Messages? Verizon will help you retrieve deleted text messages from its database so far you're not requesting after the stipulated time frame.
How far back can text messages be retrieved?
How long does Verizon keep text messages for subpoenas?
Verizon Wireless keeps text message content for up to five days. However, they retain the metadata, like the date, sender, and recipient, for 90 days. The Verizon Security Assistance Team handles subpoenas and court orders for Verizon Custodian of Records.
How long does Verizon store text messages?
Note: If your phone is off or can't access the Verizon network, texts sent to you are stored for up to 5 days. They're delivered when your phone is turned on and has service.
Can my ex subpoena my text messages?
In no-fault divorce states, an attorney would need to allege any requested texts would contain information relevant to some other part of divorce. Evidence of hidden marital assets, illegal activity, or information pertaining to your child's best interests may all be grounds for a valid subpoena for text messages.
Is there a way to get a transcript of all text messages?
Yes, you can get a transcript of text messages by manually copying them, using a third-party app, or working with a transcription service to convert messages into a formatted document for legal or personal use.
How far back can messages be traced?
How far back can text messages be retrieved? In general, text messages can be retrieved from a phone service provider for up to three months. As for retrieving data from the phone itself, that depends on the type of phone you have and how full your phone's storage is.
How do lawyers get old text messages?
An attorney can obtain a court order or subpoena to get the records directly from the service provider. However, there are limitations on what the provider can produce. Federal law makes a distinction between “content of the communication” and “records concerning the communication.”
Can I get a copy of my spouse's text messages?
Your Texting History is Almost Always Accessible
Some people who backed up their text messages to a shared cloud account with their spouse are able to view their spouse's text messages. Logistically, most people have to ask their spouse or their spouse's paramour for the information, or to inspect their cellphone.
How far back does Verizon keep records?
The information contained in the Master Log, Transaction History Report and Notification Log will be kept for 12 months. Log data that is older than 12 months will be deleted.
Can I get a print out of text messages from Verizon?
You can log in to My Verizon web site and choose the 'My Plan & Services->Send A Message' link or download the desktop Messages+ app to view/send/print messages.
Does Verizon back up text messages?
Verizon Cloud offers secure online storage to back up and sync your important contacts, photos, videos, music, documents, call logs and text messages.
Can you subpoena text messages from Verizon?
Verizon Security Assistance Team will only accept valid legal demands (subpoena, court order or search warrant) for records. Please address your legal requests to Verizon. Legal demands for Subpoena may be faxed to 1.888. 667.0028.
Can you subpoena text messages for adultery?
Either way, your attorney can access text message and phone log records through a court ordered subpoena to the phone company. Attorney Van Smith and his colleagues have done this numerous times in divorce cases.
How hard is it to subpoena cell phone records?
Phone records can be difficult to obtain as the phone companies usually fight back against subpoena claims. Make sure you have a valid reason for obtaining the phone records before you begin this process. For instance, if the records hold proof of a crime, this may be considered sufficient cause for a subpoena claim.
How far back do text message records go?
In the United States, there is no set time limit for how far back text messages can be subpoenaed from phone companies or iPhones by the FBI. The government can subpoena past records going back as far as they exist. Most phone companies keep records for 1-2 years.
Can Verizon retrieve old text messages?
The simple answer is Yes, Verizon can retrieve deleted text messages under specific circumstances. If the messages were backed up, they can be restored. However, once deleted from the phone without a backup, recovery becomes impossible.
Does Verizon archive text messages?
Streamlined user experience
Use your business mobile devices as usual, while we archive SMS and MMS messages in the background.
Are deleted text messages permanently gone?
Android phones use the Google Messages app, the bread and butter of most Android software. But it doesn't have an easy method to manipulate the recycle bin, even if you're running Android 15. Your messages are lost forever after deleting them.
Can you get records of old text messages?
The history of the contacts can be retrieved by requesting the service provider. However they don't store any text message content, only the date, time and phone number of your text message. You need to file a request with the customer care of your service provider.
Can text messages be traced back?
This answer depends on the phone, its memory, whether the message was deleted, and the phone owner's service provider. If the messages are still on the phone, the police may be able to access them no matter how long ago they were sent.