Check documents for sensitive data before filing
Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21c defines protected categories of sensitive data and generally requires their redaction from filed documents. The rule addresses government-issued personal identifiers, financial account numbers, and specified information about people who were minors when the suit was filed. Read subsection (a) for the precise categories.
Redaction has exceptions and a retention requirement
Subsection (b) contains exceptions for wills, documents filed under seal, and sensitive data specifically required by a statute, court rule or administrative regulation. Subsection (c) specifies how to redact and requires the filing party to retain an unredacted version during the case and related appellate proceedings filed within six months after judgment is signed.
Required sensitive data must be flagged
When a document must contain sensitive data, subsection (d) requires notice to the clerk using the applicable electronic or paper procedure. Subsections (e) and (f) address correction of nonconforming documents and prohibit Internet posting of documents that contain sensitive data in violation of the rule. The illustration brings these filing safeguards together.
The illustrated guide
Full operative subsections (a)–(f).