(a) As used in this section, ‘‘personal identifying information’’ means: an individual’s date of birth; mother’s maiden name; motor vehicle operator’s license number; Social Security number; other government issued identification number except for juris, license, permit or other business related identification numbers that are otherwise made available to the public directly by any government agency or entity; health insurance identification number; or any financial account number, security code or personal identification number (PIN). For purposes of this section, a person’s name is specifically excluded from this definition of personal identifying information unless the judicial authority has entered an order allowing the use of a pseudonym in place of the name of a party. If such an order has been entered, the person’s name is included in this definition of ‘‘personal identifying information.’’
Section 4-7.Personal Identifying Information To Be Omitted or Redacted from Court Records in Civil and Family Matters
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceRequires anyone filing court documents in civil and family matters to omit or redact personal identifying information like Social Security numbers and financial account numbers, and places sole responsibility for redaction on the filer.
Full Text of Section 4-7
(b) Persons who file documents with the court shall not include personal identifying information, and if any such personal identifying information is present, shall redact it from any documents filed with the court, whether filed in electronic or paper format, unless otherwise required by law or ordered by the court. The party filing the redacted documents shall retain the original unredacted documents throughout the pendency of the action, any appeal period, and any applicable appellate process.
(c) The responsibility for omitting or redacting personal identifying information rests solely with the person filing the document. The court or the clerk of the court need not review any filed document for compliance with this rule.
Amendment History
(Adopted June 22, 2009, to take effect Jan. 1, 2010; amended June 21, 2010, to take effect Jan. 1, 2011; amended June 15, 2012, to take effect Jan. 1, 2013; amended June 12, 2015, to take effect Jan. 1, 2016.)
Plain-English Summary
This section defines “personal identifying information” for civil and family filings: date of birth, mother’s maiden name, driver’s license number, Social Security number, most other government-issued ID numbers (except public business identifiers like juris or license numbers), health insurance ID number, and financial account numbers, security codes, or PINs. A person’s name is specifically excluded — unless the court has ordered use of a pseudonym for a party, in which case the name becomes protected information too.
Anyone filing a document, in paper or electronic form, must leave out personal identifying information or redact it if it’s present, unless the law or a court order requires otherwise. The filer must keep the original, unredacted document throughout the case, any appeal period, and any appellate process. Responsibility for redacting rests solely with the filer; the court and clerk aren’t required to review filings for compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as personal identifying information under this rule?
Date of birth, mother’s maiden name, driver’s license number, Social Security number, most government ID numbers, health insurance ID number, and financial account, security, or PIN numbers.
Does this rule require redacting a party’s name?
No, not by default. A name is excluded from the definition unless the court has entered an order allowing a pseudonym for that party.
Who is responsible for redacting personal identifying information?
The person filing the document is solely responsible; the court and the clerk have no duty to review filings for compliance.
Do I need to keep the unredacted original after filing a redacted document?
Yes. The filer must retain the original, unredacted document throughout the case, any appeal period, and any appellate process.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 4-7). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: redact personal information court filing CTSocial Security number court document Connecticutpersonal identifying information rulepseudonym court order Connecticut