Notice to filers about redacting of information prior to filing

Notice to all persons filing papers in the Clerk of State Court's Office

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. 10-1-393.8, effective July 1, 2006, it became illegal in the State of Georgia to publicly post or publicly display in any manner an individual's social security number.  As used in this Code Section, "publicly post" means to "intentionally communicate or otherwise make available to the general public."  Pursuant to O.C.G.A. 9-11-7.1, effective July 1, 2014, social security numbers, taxpayer identification numbers, financial account numbers and birth dates require some degree of redaction before the pleading/documentation can be admitted into evidence.  Domestic practitioners with financial affidavits, worksheets and standing order responses usually have a number of these numbers in the documents.

Pertinent portions of the statute are as follows:
 

(a) Redacted filings.  Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this Code section or unless the court
orders otherwise, a filing with the court that contains a social security number, taxpayer identification number, financial account number, or birth date shall include only:
 
 (1) The last four digits of a social security number;
 
 (2) The last four digits of a taxpayer identification number;
 
 (3) The last four digits of a financial account number; and
 
 (4) The year of an individual’s birth.

All records in the State Court Clerks' offices are generally public records and the inclusion of the social security number is prohibited and is in violation of the law.  If additional personal information is necessary for credit, criminal history or other legitimate purposes, please review O.C.G.A. 10-1-393.8 and O.C.G.A. 9-11-7.1(a) before filing. 

This office will not refuse to file a document that we are otherwise required by law to file, publicly post or publicly display for public inspection if O.C.G.A. 9-11-7.1(a) is not followed.  The Clerk shall be held harmless for such filings in accordance with O.C.G.A. §10-1-393.8(d).

Please join us in reducing the opportunity of identity theft and the abuse of personal information.