Local Rule 5.2: Redaction of Personal Identifiers

Local Rule 5.2 Redaction of Personal Identifiers

(a) Parties to any litigation shall refrain from including, or shall partially redact where inclusion is necessary, the following personal data identifiers from all pleadings, documents or other papers filed with the Court, including exhibits to pleadings, documents or other papers, whether filed electronically or by paper, unless otherwise ordered by the Court:

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.

2. Names of Minor Children. If the involvement of a minor child must be mentioned, only the initials of that child should be used.

3. Dates of Birth. If an individual's date of birth must be included in a pleading, only the year should be used.

4. Financial Account Numbers. If financial account numbers are relevant, only the last four digits of these numbers should be used.

5. Addresses of Individuals. If the address of an individual is relevant, only the city and state should be used.

(b) Any party wishing to file a document containing the personal data identifiers listed above may do so using one of two methods:

1. File a reference list under seal. The reference list shall contain the complete personal data identifier(s) and the redacted identifier(s) used in its (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 identifier. The reference list must be filed under seal, and may be amended as of right.

2. File an unredacted version of the document under seal.

(c) A party filing an unredacted document under seal that contains personal data identifiers shall simultaneously file a redacted copy of the document for the public file. The unredacted version of the document or the reference list shall be retained by the Court as part of the record.

(d) The responsibility for redacting these personal identifiers rests solely with counsel and the parties who should not include sensitive information in any document filed with the Court unless the information is necessary and relevant to the case. The Clerk of the Court will not review each pleading for compliance with this order. Counsel are urged to notify all clients of this order and the provisions of the E-Government Act of 2002 and Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2 as amended, so that an informed decision about the inclusion of information in pleadings, documents or other papers may be made. It is the sole responsibility of counsel and the parties to insure that all pleadings, documents or other papers filed with Court comply with this order concerning the redaction of personal data identifiers.