June 1, 2008
REDACTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS
In order to protect personal privacy and in compliance with Section 9526.5 of the
California Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), the Secretary of State’s office (SOS) has
removed (“redacted”) social security numbers, if provided, from all UCC records filed
prior to December 31, 2007. In addition, the SOS is redacting any social security number
provided on a record filed on paper after January 1, 2008.
For each record that is redacted, the SOS maintains the original un-redacted official filing
image and creates a redacted public filing image, which is available for UCC information
requests. The un-redacted official filing image is available to the public pursuant to a
subpoena or an order from a court of competent jurisdiction.
In the event that the SOS misses redacting a social security number from a UCC record,
any person may notify the SOS and specify the file or document number of the record
and the location of the social security number within the record, and the SOS will create a
redacted public filing image of the record within 10 business days from the date of
notification.
In addition, the SOS has made available a filing form pursuant to Section 9521 of the
UCC that removes the space identified for the disclosure of the social security number of
an individual. These UCC filing forms can be obtained by visiting the California
Business Portal at
and clicking on the Forms & Fees link.
UCC filings are public records. Please do not put people at risk of identify theft by
including social security numbers on any documents for filing with the Secretary of
State.
For more information on identify theft, you may want to visit the California Office of
Information Security & Privacy Protection (OISPP) website at
or
review its consumer information on Social Security Number privacy available at
/consumer_privacy/ssn.asp.
SSN Notice (rev. 06/01/08)