format_list_bulleted Topic Overview

Subpoenas

A subpoena is a court-ordered command that requires Stanford administrators to produce documents. If university personnel do not comply with the terms of a subpoena, they may be subject to civil or criminal penalties, such as fines, jail time or both.

A subpoena for personnel records for a current or former employee is served to the Stanford Redwood City campus:

Stanford Redwood City
University Hall
485 Broadway Street
Redwood City, CA 94063

Payroll hours of operations are 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. except 12 - 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays or by appointment. Call 650-725-5711.

The process server must submit a check for $15 (payable to Stanford University) to cover administrative costs associated with meeting the request. Government agencies are exempt from this charge.

A subpoena for academic records for a current or former student should be served to the Office of General Counsel. The OGC accepts service of all (valid) subpoenas and summons served on the University or related healthcare entities at the following address:

Office of the General Counsel, Stanford University
450 Jane Stanford Way
Building 170, 3rd Floor, Main Quad
Stanford, CA 94305-2038

If you need more information or have any questions, please call the OGC main line at 650-723-9611.

Please be sure to date stamp all requests submitted for processing.

All other legal documents (summons or complaints) involving Stanford are served to an attorney at the Office of the General Counsel (OGC).

A subpoena or other legal document for an individual employee must be refused by the university. This rule applies to private matters of employees that do not relate to university business, and are not requests for personnel records. Process servers are advised that Stanford is not authorized to receive such documents and does not wish the process server to disturb the employee at work.

Inquiries from Law Enforcement

In most cases, inquiries from law enforcement (including Stanford University Department of Public Safety) regarding current Stanford employees are directed to the OGC for response. As a general rule, employee information (beyond that which is available on StanfordWho) cannot be disclosed to law enforcement except with the consent of the employee, in response to a subpoena or after consultation with the OGC.
 

Last Updated: Jul 18, 2023