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Protecting Court Records
There is a balance between individual privacy and the need to have records readily available for viewing. If you believe a court record requires protection of personal, confidential, or sensitive information, according to our Protecting Personal or Confidential Information page, use the following guidance to request protections:
Information Designated as Confidential by Rule or Law
The Office of Clerk & Comptroller is authorized to automatically redact information designated as confidential by rule or law only. If the information of concern does not meet this statutory definition, see the next section on Sensitive Information in Court Documents. To report a document or portion of a document designated as confidential to the Clerk & Comptroller’s Office for review, complete this form.
Sensitive Information in Court Documents (Records)
Despite the guidance provided to the filer by the Florida Rule of Judicial Administration (PDF) 2.425 to minimize the filing of sensitive information, many cases by their nature may retain personal details. Typical items identified in Rule 2.425 are:
- Computer passwords
- Computer user names
- Driver’s license numbers
- Email addresses
- Full birth dates
- Incomplete portions (such as last four digits) of various numbers that would be confidential if included in their entirety
- Passport numbers
- Telephone numbers
These items are designated as sensitive data elements as opposed to confidential. The Clerk & Comptroller’s authority to redact is limited to items designated confidential by Rule or Law. Therefore, the Clerk & Comptroller’s Office does not have statutory authority to redact (obscure with a black box) these sensitive items. To request protections of sensitive information in court documents, Rule 2.420 (PDF) prescribes motions (requests for court action) a party or interested person may take if (s)he is concerned a court document should be deemed confidential or should be sealed. Consult with an attorney to initiate court actions regarding these documents.