Rule 16.602 Protected information

When you file documents in an Iowa court case, certain personal details need to stay private and out of public view. These are called protected information, and the court has specific rules about what counts.

Protected information includes things like social security numbers, bank or financial account numbers, and dates of birth. It also covers the names of minor children, taxpayer ID numbers, and personal identification numbers like PINs. Any other unique number that could identify a specific person also falls under this protection.

The rule also points to a separate definition of "confidential information" found in rule 16.201, which covers additional categories of private material. If you're filing paperwork with the court, you need to make sure none of this protected information appears in a way the public can see it. Courts usually require you to leave these details out entirely or use a cover sheet to submit them separately, so your personal information doesn't end up in the public court file.