This page provides Sworn Law Enforcement Officials information regarding Google’s Emergency Disclosure process.
If you are a Google user and you believe that a crime has been committed, you may wish to contact law enforcement for assistance.
I am a Sworn Law Enforcement Official and I have an emergency circumstance where someone’s life is in danger. Google may have information that I need to avert the threat, can Google help?
Yes. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 2702(b)(8) and 2702(c)(4), Google may disclose user information to government agencies when we believe that doing so is necessary to prevent an imminent threat of death or serious physical harm to someone and where the normal disclosure process is insufficient to immediately address the threat. Emergency requests must contain a description of the emergency and an explanation of how prompt disclosure of the information requested might prevent the harm.
What information does Google need to assist in averting an imminent threat
Google requires a sworn law enforcement official to fill out Google's Emergency Disclosure Request Form, providing the relevant Google Account identifier and specific data being requested, as well as an explanation as to how the requested disclosure may prevent the threat. Google may ask for more information from you to establish the necessary link between the data requested and the threat at issue.
If your emergency request involves a Gmail message, please include a copy of the message, as well as the full email header. The following help center article provides additional information on obtaining and reading email headers:
If the Google account listed in your request was identified based on information provided by a third party, please list any other user identifying information that was included in the provider’s records (for example, name, phone number, IP address) and/or provide us with a copy of the production from the third party. Because many third party services allow users to provide unverified email addresses during account creation, this additional identifying information will help us determine whether the information from Google is related to your emergency.
How do I submit an Emergency Disclosure Request?
If you have a LERS account, you may submit your completed and signed EDR form through LERS. When choosing the legal process type, please select “Emergency Disclosure Request” and provide any additional information that may help Google process your request.
If you do not have a LERS account, or are having issues accessing the site, you may submit your completed and signed EDR form via email to emergencyrecords@google.com. Please include “Emergency Disclosure Request” in the subject line.
If you are submitting this form outside of normal business hours (9:00 am - 5:00 pm Central, Monday through Friday) and you have not already spoken to Google Legal Support regarding this matter, call +1-650-417-9011 (US) or +353-1-909-9549 (IE) and leave a voicemail message for Google Legal Support, as submissions are only reviewed during normal business hours.
Incomplete forms will delay our ability to respond to your request. Before submitting the form, ensure that all requested information is provided, including the signature of the sworn law enforcement official.
Forms and other communications not submitted by Sworn Law Enforcement Officials or received from non-government issued email accounts will not receive a response and may delay responses to life-threatening matters. Unauthorized requests may be subject to prosecution.