Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee Sealing & Redaction Procedures

CRITICAL

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

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

CRITICALCivil cases

Protected health information obtained in interviews may only be used in the pending litigation, and the interviewing defendant must return or destroy all such information, including copies, at the end of the litigation.

Dissemination of any protected health information obtained during the interviews is expressly limited to the litigation pending before the Court. The Defendant or Defendants who conducted the interview shall return to the healthcare provider or destroy any protected health information obtained in the course of any such interview, including all copies, at the end of the litigation.

CRITICAL

Sealing documents requires a procedure involving motions, redacted copies, and unredacted submissions for in-camera review.

Outlines required procedure for sealing documents, including motions, redacted copies, and unredacted submissions for in‑camera review.

CRITICAL

Confidential information must be redacted as required by Tennessee law.

Confidential information must be redacted as required by Tennessee law.

CRITICAL

The Clerk may invest funds only under a specific order, and Statistical Sheets must be filed under seal.

Clerk may invest funds only with a specific order. Statistical Sheets filed under seal are required.

CRITICAL

Filers should redact or omit confidential information (e.g., SSNs, taxpayer IDs, account numbers, driver license numbers) before filing.

When confidential information is not required by law to be filed, the filer should redact or leave out the information prior to filing the document(s). Items designated by the Tennessee Code Annotated as Confidential Information not open for public inspection are as follows: - Social Security Numbers - Taxpayer IDs - Employer and Taxpayer Account Numbers/PINs/Info - Credit/Debit Card Account Numbers/PIN/Authorization Numbers - Passport/Alien Registration Numbers - Biometric Data - Electronic Identification Numbers/Routing Codes - Driver License Numbers - VINs

CRITICAL

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.

WARNING

Personal information may be submitted on sealed Statistical Sheets or Spouse’s Personal Information Forms, which are not open to public inspection.

Personal information may be submitted on sealed Statistical Sheets or Spouse’s Personal Information Forms, not open to public inspection.

INFO

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.