Redaction of Social Security numbers and birthdates in probate court filings
AL Probate SSN Redaction
Data security · Government records
Requires people recording property and other documents in probate court to remove Social Security numbers, and in property documents birthdates, before filing. Probate judges may also redact them and may post records online.
- Where
- Alabama
- Citation
- Ala. Code § 12-13-22 (Act 2009-567; amended Act 2010-707)
- Status
- In force
- Enforced by
- Probate judges (filing condition)
- People can sue
- No
- Penalties
- No penalty; removal of Social Security numbers is a condition of filing. Noncompliance does not invalidate a recorded document.
- Applies to
- Any person submitting documents for recording as public records in an Alabama probate court (deeds, mortgages, liens, military discharge forms, and similar filings), other than federal and state tax liens
- Probate judges
Security duties
- Redact or make illegible any Social Security number in a document before recording it as a public record in probate court.Ala. Code § 12-13-22(a)
- Redact birthdates linked to a person's name in property conveyance or encumbrance documents unless required by law or necessary.Ala. Code § 12-13-22(b)
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-25 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.
Unverified: Effective dates of Acts 2009-567 and 2010-707 not confirmed; left null.
Research reference, not legal advice.