Rule 21c.Privacy Protection for Filed Documents

Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 21c bars filing documents that contain sensitive personal data — like Social Security, financial account, or driver's license numbers — unless the data is redacted, and tells filers how to redact it and notify the clerk.

Full Text of Rule 21c

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)

(a) Sensitive Data Defined. Sensitive data consists of:

(1) a driver's license number, passport number, social security number, tax identification number, or similar government-issued personal identification number;

(2) a bank account number, credit card number, or other financial account number; and

(3) a birth date, a home address, and the name of any person who was a minor when the underlying suit was filed.

(b) Filing of Documents Containing Sensitive Data Prohibited. Unless the inclusion of sensitive data is specifically required by a statute, court rule, or administrative regulation, an electronic or paper document, except for wills and documents filed under seal, containing sensitive data may not be filed with a court unless the sensitive data is redacted.

(c) Redaction of Sensitive Data; Retention Requirement. Sensitive data must be redacted by using the letter “X” in place of each omitted digit or character or by removing the sensitive data in a manner indicating that the data has been redacted. The filing party must retain an unredacted version of the filed document during the pendency of the case and any related appellate proceedings filed within six months of the date the judgment is signed.

(d) Notice to Clerk. If a document must contain sensitive data, the filing party must notify the clerk by:

(1) designating the document as containing sensitive data when the document is electronically filed; or

(2) if the document is not electronically filed, by including, on the upper left-hand side of the first page, the phrase: “NOTICE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS SENSITIVE DATA.”

(e) Non-Conforming Documents. The clerk may not refuse to file a document that contains sensitive data in violation of this rule. But the clerk may identify the error to be corrected and state a deadline for the party to resubmit a redacted, substitute document.

(f) Restriction on Remote Access. Documents that contain sensitive data in violation of this rule must not be posted on the Internet.

End

Notes and Comments

Comment to 2013 Change: Rule 21c is added to provide privacy protection for documents filed in civil cases.

Plain-English Summary

Rule 21c keeps sensitive personal information out of public court files. It defines sensitive data to include Social Security, tax identification, driver's license, and passport numbers; bank, credit-card, and other financial account numbers; and a person's birth date, home address, and the name of anyone who was a minor when the suit was filed.

Unless a statute or rule requires the data, a document containing it may not be filed unless the data is redacted — by replacing each character with the letter “X” or removing it so the redaction is clear. Wills and sealed documents are exceptions. The filer keeps an unredacted copy while the case is pending, and through any related appellate proceeding filed within six months of the date judgment was signed, and tells the clerk a document holds sensitive data, either by flagging it at e-filing or by marking the first page.

The clerk cannot reject a document that breaks this rule, but may point out the error and set a deadline to refile a redacted version. A document that violates the rule must not be posted on the Internet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as sensitive data under Rule 21c?

Social Security, tax ID, driver's license, and passport numbers; bank, credit-card, and other financial account numbers; and a birth date, home address, and the name of any person who was a minor when the suit was filed.

How do you redact sensitive data in a Texas filing?

Replace each omitted character with the letter “X,” or remove the data in a way that shows it was redacted. Keep an unredacted copy while the case is pending, and through any related appellate proceeding filed within six months of the date judgment was signed.

What if I have to include sensitive data?

Tell the clerk: flag the document as containing sensitive data when you e-file it, or mark the first page with the notice that it contains sensitive data.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 21c), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov). Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: privacy protection for filed documentsredactionsensitive dataredact social security numberTRCP 21c