Rule 4-7. Personal Identifying Information To Be Omitted or Redacted from Court Records in Civil and Family Matters

(a) As used in this section, ''personal identifying information'' means: an individual's date of birth; mother's maiden name; motor vehicle operator's license number; Social Security number; other government issued identification number except for juris, license, permit or other business related identification numbers that are otherwise made available to the public directly by any government agency or entity; health insurance identification number; or any financial account number, security code or personal identification number (PIN). For purposes of this section, a person's name is specifically excluded from this definition of personal identifying information unless the judicial authority has entered an order allowing the use of a pseudonym in place of the name of a party. If such an order has been entered, the person's name is included in this definition of ''personal identifying information.''

(b) Persons who file documents with the court shall not include personal identifying information, and if any such personal identifying information is present, shall redact it from any documents filed with the court, whether filed in electronic or paper format, unless otherwise required by law or ordered by the court. The party filing the redacted documents shall retain the original unredacted documents throughout the pendency of the action, any appeal period, and any applicable appellate process.

(c) The responsibility for omitting or redacting personal identifying information rests solely with the person filing the document. The court or the clerk of the court need not review any filed document for compliance with this rule.

Committee Notes

amended June 21, 2010, to take effect Jan. 1, 2011; amended