CM/ECF filing redaction is the removal of FRCP 5.2 personal identifiers before a document is e-filed. Once on CM/ECF, the public sees it through PACER. anonym.plus marks each identifier on your device, so the filer, not the public, controls the data.
When this applies
CM/ECF publishes filings to PACER for public access. You must trim Rule 5.2 identifiers before the upload, because removal afterward is hard.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Open the document in anonym.plus on your device.
- The tool flags SSNs, account numbers, and birth dates.
- Local OCR reads scanned exhibits before upload.
- Confirm the flags and keep the docket caption.
- Swap or black out the confirmed identifiers.
- Save the clean version, then e-file it.
What you need to provide
- The document to e-file (PDF, DOCX, scan).
- An operator: Replace, Redact, or Mask.
- Optional batch for a multi-exhibit upload.
PII entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Identifiers | US_SSN | 078-05-1120 → [SSN] |
| Financial | US_BANK_NUMBER | acct 4412 → [ACCOUNT] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | DOB 1979 → [DOB] |
| Minor | PERSON | child A.M. → [MINOR] |
| Names | PERSON | party named → [PARTY] |
| Contact | EMAIL_ADDRESS | party@example.com → [EMAIL] |
Compliance achieved
- Applies FRCP 5.2(a) before the document reaches PACER.
- Catches identifiers in scanned exhibits via local OCR.
- Offline work keeps the upload draft on your machine.
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Limitations & cautions
Once a document is on PACER, removal needs a motion and clerk action. Clean it before upload. The tool flags named items, so review free-text clues yourself first.
Frequently asked questions
Why redact before, not after, e-filing?
PACER publishes the filing on acceptance. Fixing a missed identifier afterward needs a motion and clerk action, so clean it on your device first.
Can I clean a multi-exhibit upload at once?
Yes. Batch mode handles up to 20 files per run, with OCR for scanned exhibits.
Is the draft sent to any server before I file?
No. The app is fully offline. You control when the clean copy goes to CM/ECF.