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Privacy Protection & Redaction Procedures

Before a document is filed, it must be redacted in accordance with Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 9037. This protects personal data identifiers from inadvertent exposure to the public. Redaction is the responsibility of the filer, not the Court. Local Rule 9037-1.

Redacting in Adobe Acrobat. Please note that highlighting a word black in Adobe Acrobat is not sufficient for proper redaction and the underlying information may be easily exposed. Please review the following information on how to properly redact a document.

Redacting a Document That Has Already Been Filed

A party must file a motion to redact and pay the required fee in each case it wishes to redact a previously filed document. The Court will not redact a document for a filer. In accordance with Rule 9037(h), the motion to redact must:

  • Identify the proposed redaction;
  • State the docket number(s) or proof-of-claim number(s) (as applicable) of the previously filed unredacted document(s);
  • Include as a separate attachment a proposed redacted version of the document(s) or proofs of claim; and
    • This redacted version of the document must otherwise be identical to the previously filed unredacted document(s) or proofs of claim.
    • The Court will not substitute a single page in a longer document; the entire document must be resubmitted even if only one page requires a redaction.
  • Be served on the following parties: 
    • The debtor(s);
    • The debtor's attorney, if any;
    • The case trustee, if any;
    • The United States Trustee;
    • The filer of the unredacted document; and
    • Any individual whose personal identifying information is to be redacted.

If there are multiple documents requiring redaction in a single case, there is only one fee. The fee may be waived "under appropriate circumstances. (See Bankruptcy Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule Item 21). If a case is closed, it does not need to be reopened to file a motion to redact.

Omnibus Motions. Filers who seek to redact documents in a large number of cases should contact the Clerk’s Office. A miscellaneous proceeding may be opened upon approval of the Chief Judge.

To file a motion to redact in CM/ECF, select the event "Motion to Redact (Fee Per Case)." The Court will promptly restrict access to the underlying document. Use of a docket event other than “Motion to Redact” will delay the restriction of access to the motion and the unredacted document. A proposed order may be submitted the same day as the motion in accordance with General Order 12.

Transcripts

When a transcript is filed with the Court, the attorneys and pro se parties who attended the hearing are solely responsible for redaction of the information described in Rule 9037. Redaction is accomplished only with their input. Transcribers are not responsible for identifying a need for redaction. The Clerk’s Office is not required to review documents for compliance with Rule 9037. The Clerk’s Office responsibility is to provide public access to the transcript and restrict access in accordance with the Judiciary’s privacy policy. Please see the Transcripts page for more information about the transcript redaction process.