(a) In compliance with the policy of the Judicial Conference of the United States, and the E-Government
Act of 2002, and in order to promote electronic access to case files while also protecting personal
privacy and other legitimate interests, parties shall refrain from including, or shall partially redact where
inclusion is necessary, the following personal data identifiers from all documents and pleadings filed
with the Court, including exhibits thereto, whether filed electronically or by paper, unless otherwise
ordered by the Court, or required by statute, a federal rule of procedure, or the Official Bankruptcy
Forms:
(1) Social Security numbers. If an individual’s social security number must be included in a
pleading, only the last four digits of that number should be used (i.e., XXX-XX-6789). However, in
bankruptcy cases, the debtor(s) shall file a Statement of Social Security Number(s) (Form B21) at
the time the petition is filed. The debtor(s) must report the full nine-digit Social Security
number(s) of the debtor(s) in this document to be submitted – not filed – with the Clerk’s Office.
This document will be used for internal purposes only and will not be part of the public record.
Failure to timely submit Form B21 may result in the dismissal of the case.
(2) Names of minor children. If the involvement of a minor child must be mentioned, only the
initials of that child should be used. In bankruptcy cases, on Schedule I of Official Bankruptcy
Form 6, list the relationship and the age of the debtor’s dependent(s), (i.e., son, age 6).
(3) Dates of birth. If an individual’s date of birth must be included in a pleading, only the year
should be used. In bankruptcy cases, on Schedule I of Official Bankruptcy Form 6, list the age of
each of the debtor’s dependents.
(4) Financial account numbers. If financial account numbers are relevant, only the last four
digits of these numbers should be used. In bankruptcy cases, on Schedules D, E, and F of official
Bankruptcy Form 6, debtors, if they choose, may include their full account numbers to assist the
trustee and creditors.
(5) Home addresses for criminal cases. If a home address must be included in a pleading filed in
a criminal case, only the city and state should be listed.
(b) In compliance with the E-Government Act of 2002, a party wishing to file a document containing the
personal data identifiers listed above may:
(1) file an unredacted version of the document in paper form under seal with the Clerk’s Office;
or
(2) file a reference list in paper form under seal with the Clerk’s Office. The reference list shall
contain the complete personal data identifiers and the redacted identifiers used in their place in
the filing. All references in the case to the redacted identifiers included in the reference list will
be construed to refer to the corresponding complete personal data identifiers. The reference list
may be amended as of right.
The document or reference list must contain the following heading: “SEALED DOCUMENT
PURSUANT TO E-GOVERNMENT ACT OF 2002.” The unredacted version of the document or
reference list shall be retained by the Court as part of the record until further order of the Court.
The party must also file a redacted copy of the document for the public file.
(c) Because of remote electronic availability, caution should be exercised and the necessity to seal
considered when filing documents that contain any of the following information:
(1) any personal identifying number, such as a driver’s license number;
(2) medical records, treatment and diagnosis;
(3) employment history;
(4) individual financial information;
(5) proprietary or trade secret information;
(6) information regarding an individual’s cooperation with the government.
(7) information regarding the victim of any criminal activity;
(8) national security information; and
(9) sensitive security information as described in 49 U.S.C. §114(s).
(d) Without a Court order, the following documents shall not be included in the public case file and
should not be made available to the public at the courthouse or via remote electronic access:
(1) unexecuted summonses or warrants of any kind (e.g., search warrants, arrest warrants);
(2) pretrial bail or presentence investigation reports;
(3) statements of reasons in the judgment of conviction;
(4) juvenile records;
(5) documents containing identifying information about jurors or potential jurors;
(6) financial affidavits filed in seeking representation pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act;
(7) ex parte requests for authorization of investigative, expert or other services pursuant to the
Criminal Justice Act; and
(8) sealed documents.
If the Court seals a document after it has already been included in the public file, the Clerk shall
restrict viewing of the document from both the electronic and paper files as soon as the order
sealing the document is entered.
(e) The responsibility for redacting personal data identifiers and properly filing documents to be sealed
rests solely with counsel and the parties. The Clerk’s Office will not review each pleading for compliance
with this rule.
