Won your court case, but the content’s still showing up in Google? You’re not done yet.
If a judge has already ruled in your favor, you can submit the court order directly to Google and request that the content be removed from search results. Here’s exactly how to do it.
What Is a Court Order Submission?
This request is for when you already have a legal ruling in hand. A court has decided that specific content is unlawful, defamatory, or otherwise must be taken down.
Google won’t automatically remove it just because of the ruling. You need to submit the order through their dedicated form:
Submit a Court Order to Google
Important: This form is not for serving Google directly. If the court order was addressed to Google, you must serve it through proper legal channels.
For a deeper dive into all your options for removing Google search results, check out our complete guide on How to Delete Google Search Results and our guide on all of Google’s Content Removal Tools.
When Should You Use This Form?
Use it only if:
- A judge or court has issued a ruling about content you want removed
- The order is final or enforceable
- You can provide a clear copy of the court’s decision
- You can point to the exact URLs the ruling applies to
If you’re asking Google to delist content just because it’s outdated or unwanted, you may need the Right to Be Forgotten form.
Step-by-Step: How to Submit Your Court Order
Google’s court order submission form takes about 10–15 minutes to complete.
1. Identify Yourself
You’ll be asked for:
- Your full legal name
- Country of residence
- Company name (if relevant)
- Who you’re representing (yourself, client, family, etc.)
- Contact email (you’ll get updates here)
2. Provide Case Details
- Court name (where the case was filed)
- Docket or case number
- A copy of the court order (PDF or DOC only, max 20 MB)
The form requires an actual court document. Google won’t act on demand letters or informal requests.
3. Add the Infringing URLs
Paste the exact URLs of the content you want removed.
Don’t link to the homepage — link to the full address of the specific content.
Google also asks which section of the court order mandates removal for each URL. Be specific. For example:
“Page 3, Paragraph 2: ‘Defendant shall cease publication of the false allegations…’”
If your case involves a suppression order, be sure to check the corresponding box on the form.
What Happens After You Submit?
Google’s legal team will:
- Review your submission for completeness
- Check that the court order applies to the URLs you listed
- Possibly contact you with follow-up questions
- Remove or restrict access to the content in Search, if approved
You’ll get a confirmation email with a reference number. Processing time varies but usually takes a few days.
Keep in mind: This only removes the content from Google search results. It may still exist on the original website, so you may also want to contact the site owner.
How Long Does It Take?
There’s no guaranteed timeline. Valid submissions are usually processed within a few days, but more complex cases may take longer.
Make sure your form is complete and the URLs clearly match what the court order covers.
What If Your Request Is Rejected?
Google may decline to remove the content if:
- The court order doesn’t specify which URLs should be removed
- The ruling is too vague or unrelated to Google’s services
- Your request doesn’t include the actual order or legal documentation
If this happens, you can revise and resubmit the request or seek further legal enforcement. If you’re trying to remove something your court order doesn’t cover, you might need to work with a reputation management service for support.
Does Google Share Your Request?
Yes, sometimes. Google may send a copy of your request to Lumen, a public database that documents online takedown efforts.
They typically redact personal contact information. But your name and a copy of the court order may still be visible unless it’s a sensitive or confidential case.
Google only shares this data when there’s a public interest or transparency requirement. You’ll be notified if that applies to your case.
If a court has already ruled in your favor, this is the final step to get Google to act on it.
It’s a straightforward process, but only if your paperwork is in order.
If you’re unsure about your legal rights or how to structure your request, consider speaking with an attorney or using a reputation management service that handles court order submissions.
