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They certainly are real letters, though you're right in that they might be hand delivered by an official process server. Either that, or just mailed with a return receipt and signature required.

Yahoo was able to publish the letters they received: https://s.yimg.com/ge/tyc/Redacted_Non-disclosure_Terminatio...

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Of course, it is ultimately a piece of paper...

But in every company I've worked for mail is signed for by whoever and, if it's addressed to an executive, delivered to a secretary who reads it and decides what to do it.

Given the requirement for secrecy, there is zero chance that an NSL will be treated in this way. And it won't be served by a random process server. Most likely it will be served by an NSA employee, in a discreet situation of their choosing.

A NSL is a legal document that originates from the DOJ (via the FBI) that requires no judicial approval. Nevertheless it is a legal document. The NSA does not participate, authorize, approve, initiate, or distribute NSLs.

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