Orphaned Azure Subscription – No Owner Access, Cannot Submit Support Request

Question

Orphaned Azure Subscription – No Owner Access, Cannot Submit Support Request

michaelpalumbo 0

Summary:

I want to initiate a support request to transfer an Orphaned Azure Subscription to my client where the original Owner is no longer reachable. No one else has Owner roles, and my client is a Reader (despite also paying for the service) and I've been made a Guest. We attempted to fill out a support request but were denied before the final step because my client (Reader) does not have support request privileges.

Problem:

Because we don’t have the required permissions, we cannot submit a support ticket via the portal, and every support path Microsoft suggests redirects us to a place that requires those same permissions — creating a dead end.

What We've Tried:

Called Azure support (disconnected after long hold twice)
Tried all support submission paths (portal blocks us)
Attempted to use “Contact Us” on azure.microsoft.com
Read all documentation on orphaned subscriptions and role assignments
Client is the legal IP owner and has been paying the bills

Request:

Is there any process or escalation path we can follow from outside the portal to initiate a subscription ownership transfer or recovery?

Once we're actually speaking with support from Azure, we can provide:

Proof of business ownership
IP ownership contracts
Proof of payment history

Bharath Y P 500 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-13T15:31:24.5666667+00:00
Hello michaelpalumbo,

You're facing a situation where an Azure subscription has become orphaned meaning the original Owner is no longer reachable, and no one else has sufficient permissions to manage or transfer the subscription. Your client, despite being the one paying for the service and holding legal ownership of the IP, only has Reader access, while you've been added as a Guest. Because of this limited access, you're unable to submit a support request through the Azure Portal due to not having a require Owner or Contributor roles.

This issue arises because Azure support permissions are governed by role-based access control (RBAC), which restricts support ticket creation to users with elevated roles. When a subscription becomes orphaned, Microsoft requires manual verification and escalation to resolve ownership disputes—especially when legal and billing responsibility is clear.

If there are other users in your Azure Active Directory (AAD) with Global Admin or User Access Administrator roles, they can reassign the Owner role to your account. Unfortunately if you have no any others Admins of Azure Active Directory (AAD) with Global Admin or User Access Administrator roles so I'm afraid just only one possible way Microsoft Support you’ll need to contact Microsoft Support directly. They can verify your account ownership and assist in restoring access. You can open a support request at Azure Support.

When contacting support, be ready to share your Azure subscription ID. Proof of ownership (e.g., billing details, original admin email).

Also you can use Microsoft’s Account & Subscription Support Form (Non-Portal)

There’s a special “Global Customer Service” entry point that bypasses portal login and is designed for orphaned subscription or ownership transfer cases:

Go to https://azure.microsoft.com/support/options/

Scroll down to “Billing & subscription management” → “Contact us” → Choose “Sign-in issues” or “Unable to access my account” → This opens a web form where you don’t need to log in to the portal.

Choose the valid details like Product, Category, Problem type or Additional info

Provide the Required Proof

If you're unable to submit a support request through the portal and keep getting redirected to forms that require elevated permissions, escalate directly to Microsoft:

Send an email to azuresupport@microsoft.com this is a monitored escalation mailbox specifically for subscription and billing disputes.

Attach all relevant documentation upfront, including:

Proof of payment

Business ownership verification

IP ownership contracts

Clearly state the subscription ID and explain that you're requesting an ownership transfer due to orphaned administrator access.

This route bypasses portal restrictions and initiates manual review by Microsoft’s escalation team.

Let me know if this was helpful.
Bharath Y P 500 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-28T11:34:38.89+00:00

Hello michaelpalumbo,

You can also refer the below document as long as you are a Global Administrator of the Entra tenant associated with the subscription, you can take ownership of it by following

Elevate access to manage all Azure subscriptions and management groups | Microsoft Learn

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Bharath Y P 500 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-28T11:34:38.89+00:00

Hello michaelpalumbo,

You can also refer the below document as long as you are a Global Administrator of the Entra tenant associated with the subscription, you can take ownership of it by following

Elevate access to manage all Azure subscriptions and management groups | Microsoft Learn

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Orphaned Azure Subscription – No Owner Access, Cannot Submit Support Request

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