Send SSDI subpoenas to the Social Security Administration's Office of the General Counsel

A subpoena for SSDI records goes to the Social Security Administration (SSA), not to your local Social Security office. The correct address depends on whether you are requesting records as part of a court case, an appeal, or a third-party request. Most subpoenas land at the Office of the General Counsel in Baltimore, Maryland, which handles legal documents for the entire agency. Some subpoenas may route to the Office of Inspector General if they involve fraud allegations or criminal proceedings.

The SSA does not accept subpoenas by email or fax for official legal purposes. You must send the original document by mail or have it served in person according to the rules of the court that issued it. The agency has 30 days to respond once it receives a valid subpoena, though that timeline can shift if the request is incomplete or requires records from multiple locations.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI subpoenas go to the Office of the General Counsel at 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235, not to your local Social Security office.
  • You must send the original subpoena by mail or arrange personal service; the SSA will not accept email or fax copies for legal documents.
  • The agency has 30 days to respond, but the timeline starts when they actually receive the subpoena, not when you mail it.
  • If your subpoena involves fraud or criminal conduct, it may route to the Office of Inspector General instead of the General Counsel.
  • Include a cover letter with your subpoena that names the SSDI beneficiary, their Social Security number, and the specific records you need.

The correct mailing address for SSDI subpoenas

Send your subpoena to:

Social Security Administration Office of the General Counsel 6401 Security Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21235

This address handles subpoenas for SSDI records, benefit payment history, medical evidence files, and appeal records. If you are unsure whether your subpoena belongs at the General Counsel's office or elsewhere, include a cover letter that explains the nature of the request and the court or proceeding involved. The SSA will forward it to the correct office if it arrives at the wrong one, but this adds time to the 30-day response window.

Do not send subpoenas to regional Social Security offices, the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR), or the Appeals Council. Those offices do not have authority to release records in response to subpoenas. Only the Office of the General Counsel and the Office of Inspector General have the legal power to certify and release official SSDI documents.

What information to include with your subpoena

Your subpoena must identify the SSDI beneficiary clearly so the SSA can locate the correct file. Include the beneficiary's full name, Social Security number, and date of birth. If you do not have the Social Security number, provide any other identifying information you have — the SSA may ask you to clarify before proceeding.

Specify exactly which records you need. Vague requests like "all SSDI records" take longer to process and may result in a partial response. Instead, request specific items: the initial process file, the medical evidence from a particular year, the decision letter from an appeal, or the payment history for a specific date range. The more precise your request, the faster the SSA can gather and send the records.

Include a cover letter with your subpoena that states the court case name and number (if applicable), the reason for the request, and your contact information. If the subpoena is part of a lawsuit, include the name and phone number of the attorney or party requesting the records. This helps the General Counsel's office prioritize and route your request correctly.

Timeline for receiving SSDI records after subpoena

The SSA has 30 days from the date it receives your subpoena to respond. This does not mean 30 days from when you mail it — the clock starts when the document arrives at the Office of the General Counsel. Mail delivery to Baltimore typically takes 3 to 7 business days, so budget at least 5 to 6 weeks from the date you mail the subpoena to the date you might receive records.

If the SSA needs clarification about which records you want or cannot locate the file when ready, they may contact you before the 30 days are up. Respond quickly to any requests for more information, because the 30-day clock does not stop while you clarify — it keeps running. If the SSA cannot fulfill the subpoena within 30 days, they must notify you in writing and explain why.

Certified copies of SSDI records typically arrive by mail. The SSA will not email records, even if you request it, because official documents must be certified and sealed. If you need records urgently, contact the Office of the General Counsel by phone at 410-965-1727 to ask whether expedited processing is possible, though this is not may provide.

Subpoenas involving fraud or criminal allegations

If your subpoena relates to fraud, criminal conduct, or an investigation by law enforcement, it may route to the Office of Inspector General instead of the General Counsel. This includes subpoenas from prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, or grand juries investigating SSDI fraud, identity theft, or misuse of benefits.

Send fraud-related subpoenas to the same Baltimore address, but note in your cover letter that the request involves criminal or fraud allegations. The SSA will forward it to the Inspector General's office, which handles these cases separately. The 30-day response timeline still applies, but the Inspector General may coordinate with law enforcement, which can extend the actual delivery time.

What happens if you serve the subpoena in person

Some courts allow or require personal service of a subpoena rather than mailing it. If you are serving the subpoena in person, you can deliver it to any Social Security office, but you must also send a copy to the Office of the General Counsel by mail. Personal service at a local office does not satisfy the legal requirement for the SSA as an agency — the General Counsel's office must receive the original or a certified copy.

If you serve the subpoena in person at a local office, ask the employee to stamp it with the date received and give you a receipt. This creates a record of when the SSA received the document, which matters for the 30-day response clock. Then mail a copy to the General Counsel's office with a cover letter explaining that you have already served the original locally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I email or fax a subpoena to the SSA?

No. The SSA requires the original subpoena by mail or personal service for legal documents. Email and fax copies are not accepted for official subpoenas. If you need to confirm receipt, send the subpoena by certified mail with return receipt requested.

What if I do not know the beneficiary's Social Security number?

Provide whatever identifying information you have — full name, date of birth, and last known address. The SSA will attempt to locate the file, but the process may take longer. If the SSA cannot match the information to a record, they will contact you to ask for more details.

How long does it take to get records after the SSA receives the subpoena?

The SSA has 30 days from receipt to respond. Mail delivery adds 3 to 7 business days each way, so expect 5 to 6 weeks total from the date you mail the subpoena to the date records arrive. If the SSA needs clarification, they may contact you during this period.

Can I request expedited processing of a subpoena?

You can ask, but expedited processing is not may provide. Call the Office of the General Counsel at 410-965-1727 to explain your situation and ask whether faster processing is possible. Emergency court important date sometimes may have access to, but the SSA makes the final decision.

What if the subpoena is part of an SSDI appeal?

If you are appealing an SSDI decision and need your own file records, you do not need a subpoena — you can request your file directly from the Appeals Council or the office handling your case. A subpoena is typically used when a third party (attorney, court, or opposing party) needs records, not when the beneficiary requests their own file.