You are here

Redacting Private Information

Rule 9037 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama reminds electronic filers of the importance of redacting sensitive information in any document filed with the Court. Please remember that any personal information not otherwise protected will be made available over the Internet via PACER. If sensitive information must be included, the following personal data identifiers must be partially redacted from the pleading, whether it is filed traditionally (paper) or electronically.

  1. Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number. If an individual’s social security number or taxpayer identification number must be included in a pleading, use only the last four digits of that number.
  2. Names of minor children. If the involvement of a minor child must be mentioned, use only the initials of that child.
  3. Dates of birth. If an individual’s date of birth must be included in a pleading, use only the year.
  4. Financial account number. If financial account numbers are relevant, use only the last four digits of these numbers.

Attorneys, limited filers, and others who file claims SHOULD NOT include a copy of the B309I (Official Form 309I) known as the 341 Notice of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Case, Meeting of Creditors, & Deadlines as an attachment to the claim being filed with the Court. This notice contains the debtor's social security number. Contracts, titles, mortgages, and other documents or attachments should be redacted of any sensitive information.

The responsibility for redacting these personal identifiers rests solely with counsel and the parties. The Clerk’s office will not review each pleading for compliance with this rule.

The Procedure for Filing Motions to Redact Previously Filed Documents can be viewed by clicking here.