How to Claim a Page on Facebook

Found a Facebook Page for your business that you didn't create? Or maybe a former employee has locked you out of the one you built? Gaining full control of your brand's presence on Facebook is a non-negotiable step, but the process can feel confusing and, at times, frustratingly complex. This guide walks you through exactly how to claim a Facebook Page, whether it's an unmanaged ghost page, already owned by someone else, or just needs to be properly added to your Meta Business Suite.

Why Claiming a Facebook Page Even Matters

Before jumping into the "how," it's helpful to understand the different situations you might find yourself in. Figuring out which one applies to you will determine the exact steps you need to take. Most scenarios fall into one of three buckets.

Scenario 1: You have Found an Unmanaged "Ghost" Page

This is extremely common for local businesses. An unmanaged Page is one that exists on Facebook but doesn’t have an official owner or administrator. They often get created automatically when a customer “checks in” to a physical location that doesn't have an existing official page. Facebook uses public information or user-submitted details to create a placeholder page.

These pages are sometimes called “grey pages.” You'll know you've found one if you see a box on the Page with a link that says something like, “Is this your business?” or "Own this business?". Claiming these is usually the most straightforward, as you aren't fighting another admin for control - you're simply proving to Meta that you are the legitimate owner of the business.

Scenario 2: The Page is Already Managed by Someone Else

This situation is a bit trickier. Perhaps you hired a marketing agency years ago that set up the Page and you've since lost contact. Maybe a former team member started it using their personal profile and is no longer with the company. Or worse, someone else has maliciously claimed your business Page and locked you out.

In these cases, the Page already has an admin. Your goal is to request admin access and, ultimately, transfer ownership to your Meta Business Manager. This process requires you to have a Business Manager account and may involve submitting legal documentation to Meta to prove your ownership if the current admin is unresponsive or unwilling to cooperate.

Scenario 3: You Already Administer the Page, But Need to Add it to Business Manager

This is the simplest scenario. You already have admin control of the Page through your personal Facebook profile, but it’s an "orphan" asset that isn't connected to your company's official Meta Business Suite (also known as Business Manager). Officially adding it to your Business Manager centralizes control, makes it easy to give agency partners or new employees permissions, and is essential for running ads. This isn't technically "claiming" it from someone else, but rather officially associating it with your business's central account.

Get Ready: What You’ll Need Before You Start

Facebook's process for verifying ownership is all about documentation. They need to be absolutely sure you are who you say you are before they hand over the keys to a Page. Having these documents scanned and ready to upload will make the process much smoother. While you might not need all of them, the more you have, the better your chances.

• Utility Bill: A recent gas, water, or electricity bill, or a phone bill for the business's official landline. It must show the business's name and official address. Mobile phone bills are typically not accepted.
• Business License: A valid business license issued by your city, county, or state that includes your business name and address.
• Tax Filings: Articles of incorporation, certificate of formation, or other official tax documents for your business.
• Signed Statement: A brief, signed statement on company letterhead explaining your relationship to the business and your right to claim the Page. This should be clear and concise.
• Proof of Identity: A government-issued photo ID (like a driver's license or passport) for the person making the claim.

Save these as PDFs or JPEGs on your computer so they're ready to go. Make sure the names and addresses on the documents perfectly match the information listed for the business on the Page you are trying to claim.

How to Claim an Unmanaged Facebook Page (Step-by-Step)

Let's start with the easiest situation: the "ghost" page. If you've found an unmanaged page for your business, here's how to take control.

1. Log into your Facebook Profile: Make sure you are logged in with the personal profile you intend to use to manage the Page initially.
2. Find the Unmanaged Page: Navigate to the Page using Facebook search.
3. Locate the Claim Link: Look for a link directly on the Page that says "Is this your business?" or "Unclaimed Page." It's often located near the cover photo or in the about section. Click on it.
4. Follow the Prompts: A pop-up will appear. Facebook will guide you through a series of steps to verify ownership. You'll likely have a few options:
   • Phone Verification: The quickest method. Facebook will call the business phone number listed on the Page and give you a verification code. You must be able to answer this phone to retrieve the code.
   • Email Verification: If your business has a domain-specific email (e.g., yourname@yourbusiness.com), you may be able to verify via email.
   • Document Upload: If you can't verify by phone or email, you will be prompted to upload the documentation we prepared earlier (utility bill, business license, etc.).
5. Wait for Approval: After submitting your information, you’ll have to wait for Meta to review it. Phone verification is instant, but document review can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. You'll receive a notification when your claim has been approved.

How to Request Access to a Managed Page via Meta Business Suite

If the Page already has an admin, you can’t just click a button on the front page. You need to go through your Meta Business Suite dashboard to formally request access. This process creates an official request that is sent to the current Page admins.

Step 1: Navigate to Your Business Settings

First, log in to the Meta Business Suite account you use to manage your business assets. If you don't have one, you'll need to create one at business.facebook.com. Once inside, find the "Settings" gear icon (usually on the bottom left) and then select "Business Settings."

Step 2: Add the Page to Your Assets

In Business Settings, navigate to Accounts > Pages. Click the blue "Add" button. A dropdown menu with three options will appear:

• Add a Page
• Request Access to a Page
• Create a New Page

Step 3: Choose the Right Option

This is where things can get confusing. You’ll be choosing one of the first two options.

• Choose "Add a Page" If You Are the True Owner: This option is for claiming full ownership. If you select it, a request is sent to the current admin. If they approve, the Page will be permanently moved into your Business Manager, giving you ultimate control. This is the right choice if you are taking back ownership from an ex-employee or a defunct agency.
• Choose "Request Access to a Page" If You Are a Partner or Agency: This option allows you to request permissions to manage a page on behalf of another business. The page remains in the owner's Business Manager, and they can revoke your access at any time. This is for agencies, social media managers, or partner businesses.

After selecting your option, search for the Page by its name or URL. Once you find it, confirm your selection and send the request. The current admin(s) will get a notification.

What to Do If Your Request Fails or Is Ignored

This is the big one. What happens if the person running the Page ignores your request or, worse, denies it?

If your legal claim is solid, you're not out of options. You'll need to escalate it with Meta. The most effective way is often through their intellectual property reporting process.

1. Gather Your Trademark Information: If your business name is a registered trademark, have the registration number and documents ready.
2. Use the Trademark Report Form: Fill out Facebook's official Trademark Report Form. Here, you will explain that another Page is using your registered trademark without permission.
3. Explain the Situation Clearly: In the form’s description box, calmly and professionally explain the situation. For example: "We are the legal owners of [Business Name], a registered trademark (Registration #12345). The page at [Facebook Page URL] is our official business page but is currently being administered by a former employee who has refused to transfer ownership. We have submitted an ownership request through Business Manager which was ignored. We have attached our business license and trademark certificate as proof of ownership."
4. Be Patient: This process can take a few weeks. A human at Meta has to review the case. If your documentation is in order, they will typically transfer ownership to your Business Manager.

If you don't have a trademark, the path is harder. You can still try the general Help Center and provide your business documentation, but the trademark route is generally the most effective fallback.

Final Thoughts

Claiming your Facebook Page is all about proving ownership and re-establishing control over your brand's digital storefront. Whether you're wrangling an unmanaged local listing or working to gain access from a previous admin, following the right steps and having your documentation ready from the start will make the entire process much smoother and faster.

Once you have control of your Page, the real work of content planning and engaging with your community starts. To avoid the chaos of jumping between apps, especially if you manage multiple accounts, we designed Postbase to bring everything into one simple, visual calendar. Our unified inbox also makes it so much easier to handle comments and DMs across all your platforms, so you can focus on building your brand without feeling like you're fighting the tools. It’s the platform we wished we had when we were managing social media accounts ourselves.