How Do You Request Ownership of a Google Business Profile?

To request ownership of a Google Business Profile, open the claim flow, choose the profile, select Request Access, and submit the form with proof you are authorized. The current owner receives an email and has three days to respond. If there is no reply, you may be offered a claim and verify option.

Ownership requests exist for storefront and hybrid businesses. Service-area businesses that do not receive customers at a listed address use a different support path. The request process does not create a second profile for the same business.

On this page

• Who should use the ownership request process?
• How do you send an ownership request?
• What happens after you submit the request?
• What if the owner does not reply?
• What if the business is a service-area business?
• What limits apply after access is granted?
• What should you prepare before requesting?
• Frequently asked questions

Who should use the ownership request process?

Use the process when a verified profile exists but the current owner is not the real business owner or an authorized representative. Google's ownership guidelines state that only business owners or authorized representatives may verify and manage a profile. If you are the rightful owner and the profile is already verified by someone else, request access instead of creating a duplicate.

Tip: before requesting, confirm you are an owner or an authorized representative and that the profile represents a real business location.

Do not request ownership to bypass an existing verified profile. Do not create a second profile for the same business. If you already have access, you will not see the Request Access option. If you see a "You manage this business profile" badge, you are already an owner or manager.

Authorized representatives should obtain the business owner's consent before requesting or claiming a profile. Google's guidelines say authorized representatives must not claim a profile without express consent and should transfer ownership to the business owner when asked.

How do you send an ownership request?

Start from business.google.com/add or the profile's Claim button, then follow the request flow. Google's current steps are:

1. Go to business.google.com/add or search for the business on Google and select Claim this business.
2. Enter the business name and address and choose the correct listing.
3. When you see a message that someone else may manage the profile, select Request Access.
4. Complete the ownership request form and submit it.

Keep the confirmation email. You will need it if you later need to view the request or claim the profile. Google's request ownership instructions are the authoritative source if labels change.

For the broader set of profile controls, see Google's edit profile guidance.

What happens after you submit the request?

The current owner receives an email and has three days to respond. After you submit the form, you receive a confirmation email. The owner can approve or deny the request.

Owner response	What you receive	Next action
Approved	Approval email	Sign in and manage the profile. New owners and managers may face a seven-day limit on some actions.
Denied	Rejection email	You can suggest an edit to the profile information or appeal the decision.
No reply	No response after three days	You may be offered a claim and verify option in the request email.

Check the request status by signing in to Business Profile or by using the link in your confirmation email. Do not create another profile while waiting. Duplicates can be marked and merged later.

What if the owner does not reply?

If there is no response after three days, open the confirmation email and look for View request and Verify. Follow the on-screen instructions to verify the business. The option to claim is not guaranteed for every request. Google may still require proof that you are authorized to manage the business.

If you cannot claim the profile, continue to use the suggest-an-edit path or contact Business Profile support. Do not create a duplicate listing for the same business. Google's duplicate and ownership help explains how to resolve conflicting profiles.

What if the business is a service-area business?

For service-area businesses without a customer-facing storefront, use the support path rather than the self-serve request flow. Google's request instructions say to contact support and select Transfer ownership of listing as the issue description. Service-area businesses that do not receive customers at a listed address follow different verification and ownership steps.

If you manage access for another person, see our article on adding a manager to a Google Business Profile. Add the correct person as an owner or manager instead of requesting ownership through a support ticket.

What limits apply after access is granted?

New owners and managers must wait seven days before they can perform certain actions. During the waiting period, attempts to delete or undelete the profile, remove other users, or transfer primary ownership may be blocked. Google's owners and managers page lists the restricted actions and the seven-day rule.

Only the primary owner can transfer primary ownership. A profile must have at least one other owner or manager before the current primary owner can transfer that role. If you receive primary ownership, keep at least one other trusted person with access so the role can be transferred later if needed.

For context on profile roles, see our article on adding a manager and the guide on adding an Instagram link.

Can multiple Business Profiles use the same owner?

Yes. One person can be the primary owner or a manager on several profiles. Each profile still follows its own verification and ownership rules. If you manage multiple locations, add yourself to each profile rather than trying to share one profile across unrelated businesses.

What should you prepare before requesting?

Have proof that you are authorized to manage the business. Google may ask for documents during verification or claim steps. Common items include business registration, tax documents, utility bills in the business name, or authorization letters from the legal owner.

Make sure the business name and address you enter match the information on file with Google. Small differences can cause the request to point to the wrong listing or fail verification later. If the business has moved, update the address through the correct owner first if possible.

Confirm that the profile you want is the primary one for the business. If multiple listings exist, request ownership of the verified one rather than creating or claiming a duplicate. Google's duplicate resolution article explains how to handle overlapping profiles.

Frequently asked questions

Can I create a new profile instead of requesting ownership?

No. Google discourages duplicate profiles for the same business. Request ownership of the existing verified profile.

How long does the owner have to respond?

The current owner has three days to respond to the request email.

What if the owner denies the request?

You receive a rejection email. You can still suggest an edit to the profile or appeal the decision.

Can I claim the profile if there is no reply?

Sometimes. After three days with no response, the confirmation email may include a claim or verify option. It is not guaranteed.

Is the process different for service-area businesses?

Yes. Service-area businesses without a customer-facing storefront should contact support and request a transfer of ownership rather than using the self-serve request flow.

Do new owners have any restrictions?

Yes. New owners and managers wait seven days before they can delete the profile, remove users, or transfer primary ownership.

What proof does Google ask for during a claim?

Google may request documents that show your relationship to the business, such as a business license, tax ID, or utility bill. Keep copies ready if you reach the claim step.

Can an authorized representative request ownership?

Yes, but Google requires express consent from the business owner. The representative should transfer primary ownership to the owner when asked.

Bottom line: use the ownership request flow when a verified profile exists and you are the rightful owner or an authorized representative. Keep the confirmation email and follow Google's three-day and seven-day rules.