Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee Sealing & Redaction Procedures

Filers must redact or omit confidential information (e.g., SSNs, account numbers, minors' names, birth dates) before filing documents.

When a filing includes information that is confidential by law, the filer should redact or omit the information before filing the document. Tennessee law designates the following items as Confidential Information not open for public inspection: (a) Social Security Numbers (b) Taxpayer IDs (c) Employer and Taxpayer Account Numbers/PINs (d) Credit and Debit Card Account Numbers/PINs/Authorization Numbers (e) Bank or other Financial Account Numbers (f) Passport/Alien Registration Numbers (g) Biometric Data (h) Electronic Identification Numbers/Routing Codes (i) Driver License Numbers (j) Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) (k) Minors’ names (use initials only) (l) Birth dates (omit month and day, include year only) (m) Confidential information related to trusts under Tenn. Code Ann. § 35-15-1106

To seal documents, file redacted copies (if partial), do not file documents (if entire), deliver unredacted copies in a sealed envelope marked 'For In Camera Review' to court staff, and the Court will rule on the motion.

To file a motion to place documents under seal: (2) If the motion is to seal only portions of documents, file copies of the documents at issue with proposed redactions. (3) If the motion is to seal an entire document or documents, do not file the documents. (4) In either case, place complete unredacted copies of the documents in a sealed envelope, with a cover sheet listing the case style and number, and the filing attorney’s name and contact information, marked “For In Camera Review.” (5) Deliver the envelope to the court’s staff in Circuit Court or Calendar Clerk in Chancery Court. (6) The Court will hear the motion, review the documents, and enter an order either granting or denying the motion with further instructions.

Parties may redact personal information in filed documents: last four digits of SSNs and financial accounts, initials of minor children, year of birth, and city/state of address.

Social security numbers: If an individual’s social security number is included in a document, only the last four digits of that number are required. Names of minor children: If the involvement of a minor child is mentioned, only the initials of the child are required. Dates of birth: If an individual’s date of birth is included in a document, only the year is required. Financial account numbers: If financial account numbers are relevant, only the last four digits of these numbers are required. Home addresses: If home addresses are included in a document, only the city and state are required.

Court records are public unless exempted by court order or statute; a motion to seal must contain sufficient facts to overcome the presumption of disclosure.

All papers, documents and files shall be available for public inspection except as specifically exempted by court order or statute. The motion seeking such an order must contain sufficient facts to overcome the presumption in favor of disclosure.

Parties may file required personal information on a separate Statistical Sheet (or Spouse's Personal Information form in divorce cases), which is filed under seal.

When a statute, rule, or order requires a party to file personal information such as a social security number, address, birthdate, etc., the party may provide the information on a separate “Statistical Sheet,” or a “Spouse’s Personal Information” form in divorce cases. Completed Statistical Sheets and Spouse’s Personal Information Forms are filed under seal and not available for public inspection. These forms are available in the Clerks’ offices and on their websites.