No document will be accepted for filing under seal unless a statute, court rule, or prior
court order authorizes the filing of sealed documents. If no statute, rule, or prior order authorizes
filing under seal, the document will not be filed under seal.
Materials to be sealed shall be filed electronically whenever possible pursuant to the
Court’s Electronic Filing Policies and Procedures Manual. Sealed documents which exceed the
size limitations for electronic filing shall be presented in an envelope which shows the citation of
the statute or rule or the filing date of the court order authorizing the sealing, and the name,
address and telephone number of the person filing the documents.
If the sealing of the document purports to be authorized by court order, the electronically
filed sealed document shall be linked to the order authorizing the sealing. For manually filed
sealed documents, the person filing the documents shall include a copy of the order in the
envelope. If the order does not authorize the filing under seal, or the electronic filing is not
linked to the order, or in the case of manual filing no order is provided, the Clerk will unseal the
documents. Before unsealing the documents, the Clerk will notify the electronic filer by
telephone. If the document was manually filed, the Clerk will notify the person whose name and
telephone number appears on the envelope in person (if he or she is present at the time of filing)
or by telephone. The filer may withdraw the documents before 4:00 p.m. the day the Clerk
notifies him or her of the defect. If not withdrawn, the documents will be unsealed.
After the entry of a final judgment or an appellate mandate, if appealed, the sealed record
will be shipped to the Federal Records Center in accordance with the disposition schedule set
forth in the guide to Judiciary Policies and Procedures.
(See LCrR 49.4) Last revised 2/2/09. See Historical Notes for full revision history.
