Federal redaction rules, by type of case
The federal rules say what a public filing may show: the last four digits, the year, the initials. Each page below quotes the rule for one type of case and shows how to apply it to a PDF.
Updated September 5, 2026. Not legal advice; confirm the current rule, the local rules and any order in your case.
Every quotation on these pages is taken from the rule text and carries the source and the date it was read. Local rules, standing orders and protective orders add to the federal floor; the pages say where. For the method itself, see How to redact a PDF properly.
Federal civil filings
What Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2 requires you to redact before filing, quoted from the rule, and how to do it in the PDF so nothing leaks.
Federal criminal filings
What Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 49.1 requires you to redact, quoted from the rule, including the home-address limit that the civil rule does not have.
Bankruptcy filings
What Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 9037 requires you to redact, quoted from the rule, including the differences from the civil rule for debtors, proofs of claim and petition preparers.
Federal appeals
Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 25(a)(5) does not set its own redaction list: it applies the rule that governed the case below. Quoted from the rule, with what that means for briefs and appendices.
Frequently asked questions
Which rule applies to my filing?
Rule 5.2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for civil cases, Rule 49.1 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure for criminal cases, Rule 9037 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure for bankruptcy, and on appeal the rule that governed the case below, under Rule 25(a)(5) of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Do state courts follow the same list?
No. State rules differ and many go further, covering driver’s license numbers, medical information and full home addresses. Read the state rule and the local rule for the court you are filing in.