Section 7-4C.Lodging a Record

A “lodged” record is one temporarily placed or deposited with the court but not filed. A party who moves to file a record under seal, or to limit its disclosure, must put the record in a manila envelope or other appropriate container, seal it, and lodge it with the court.

The submitting party must affix to the envelope or container a cover sheet containing the case caption and docket number, the words “Conditionally Under Seal,” the name of the submitting party, and a statement that the enclosed record is subject to a motion to file it under seal. When the clerk receives a lodged record, the clerk notes the date of receipt on the cover sheet and retains but does not file the record unless the court orders it filed.

If the judicial authority grants the motion to seal or limit disclosure, the clerk prominently marks the envelope or container in bold letters with “Sealed by Order of the Court on (Date)” or “Disclosure Limited by Order of the Court on (Date),” as appropriate, and affixes a copy of the court’s order and the public redacted version of the motion. If the judicial authority denies the motion and the submitting party has requested in writing that the record be retained as a lodged record, the clerk instead marks the envelope or container “Motion Denied, Retain as Lodged Record” and affixes a copy of the court’s order and the public redacted version of the motion.