The Redact Social Security Number From Public Documents Request Form is the Hidalgo County Clerk's form for asking that the first five digits of a Social Security number (SSN) be removed from documents in the clerk's official records. It is used by the owner of the SSN or by that person's representative, who lists each document and the page where the number appears. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the Clerk's office receives it only through the delivery channels described below.
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What is Redact Social Security Number From Public Documents Request Form – Hidalgo County, TX?
The Redact Social Security Number From Public Documents Request Form is the Hidalgo County Clerk form used to remove the first five digits of a Social Security number from documents in the clerk's official records. The printed title reads "Request to Redact Social Security Number From Public Documents."
The form is provided in accordance with Chapter 552.147 (d) of the Texas Government Code. Under it, all but the last 4 digits of the SSN are redacted from the documents you list. The request covers information maintained in the clerk's official records, including electronically stored information maintained by or under the control of the clerk.
The form has three parts. A table identifies each document: the name listed on the document, the document title, the volume/page or document number, and the page number on which the SSN appears. A certification states that you are the owner of the SSN or the individual's representative and that you submit proof of identification. A FOR OFFICE USE ONLY block is completed by the Clerk's staff.
The form states that the last four digits must remain in the public document as required by law. It also states that the request may be denied if another law requires an SSN to be maintained in a government document.
Who needs to file Redact Social Security Number From Public Documents Request Form – Hidalgo County, TX?
The owner of a Social Security number that appears in a document held in the Hidalgo County Clerk's official records can use this form. So can the individual's representative, because the certification on the form covers both the owner and the owner's representative. The form does not say how a representative shows authority, so ask the Clerk's office at (956)318-2100 before you file.
Before you file, know the limits the form itself states:
- Only the first five digits are removed. The last four digits remain in the public document as required by law.
- The request may be denied if another law requires an SSN to be maintained in a government document.
- The form is for SSNs. It is not a general request to change or remove other information from a record.
The Clerk's forms page adds that the Hidalgo County Clerk and deputies are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice in preparing documents filed or recorded in the office. Send legal questions to your attorney.
When to file Redact Social Security Number From Public Documents Request Form – Hidalgo County, TX
File this form when you find your Social Security number in a document in the Hidalgo County Clerk's official records and want the first five digits removed. The form prints no deadline, filing window or expiration date, so you can submit it whenever you identify the document and have your proof of identification ready.
Before you fill it out, locate the document and note its title, the volume/page or document number, and the page number where the SSN appears, because the form asks for each. If the SSN appears in several documents, the table lets you list them on one request. The form gives no processing time. The office-use block records the date the request was received and the date the redaction was completed.
Documents you need
- Proof of identification, submitted with the request. The form says you submit it along with the request; the office-use block records that the identification was copied. The form does not list which IDs are accepted.
How to fill out Redact Social Security Number From Public Documents Request Form – Hidalgo County, TX
Find the document with the SSN
Locate each document in the clerk's records that shows your Social Security number. Note its title, its volume/page or document number, and the page where the number appears.
Enter the name on the document
In the first column of the table, Name Listed on Document(s), write the name as it appears on the document.
Enter the document title and number
In Document Title, write the title of the document. In the volume/page or document number column, enter the reference that identifies it in the clerk's records.
Enter the page number
In the column for the page number on which the Social Security number appears, enter the page. Use one row for each document you list.
Read the certification
The paragraph below the table states that you are the owner or the individual's representative, that you submit proof of identification, that the last four digits remain, and that the request may be denied if another law requires the SSN to be kept.
Print your name and phone number
Write your full name on the Name line and a daytime number on the Daytime Phone No. line.
Enter your address
Complete the Address line and the City/State/Zip line.
Sign and date the request
Sign and date the form under the certification. Leave the FOR OFFICE USE ONLY block blank.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that each document row is complete and matches the record. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, add your proof of identification and deliver the package as described under How to submit.
How to submit Redact Social Security Number From Public Documents Request Form – Hidalgo County, TX
You can deliver the completed request to the Hidalgo County Clerk's Office by hand or by mail, together with your proof of identification.
- Hand delivery: 100 N. Closner, Edinburg, TX 78539.
- Mail: P.O. Box 58, Edinburg, TX 78540.
The Clerk's forms page says to submit its forms to the County Clerk's Office at these addresses unless a form says otherwise, and this form names no other channel. For more information, call (956)318-2100.
The request must be signed and dated, and it must be accompanied by proof of identification; the office-use block has an Identification Copied line. The forms page does not mention a fee for this form. Do not complete the FOR OFFICE USE ONLY block. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sending the request without proof of identification; the certification says it is submitted along with the request.
- Expecting the entire Social Security number to be removed. Only the first five digits are redacted, and the last four stay in the public document.
- Leaving out the page number on which the SSN appears, or the volume/page or document number, so the Clerk cannot find the document.
- Submitting the form unsigned or undated; the signature and date lines sit under the certification.
- Writing in the FOR OFFICE USE ONLY block, which the Clerk's staff completes.
- Assuming the request will be granted in every case; it may be denied if another law requires an SSN to be maintained in a government document.
- Mailing the request to the 100 N. Closner street address; the mailing address is P.O. Box 58, Edinburg, TX 78540.
- Asking the Clerk's office for legal advice about the request; the office states it cannot provide it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Hidalgo County request to redact Social Security number form?
It is a Hidalgo County Clerk form for removing the first five digits of a Social Security number from documents in the clerk's official records. It is provided under Chapter 552.147 (d) of the Texas Government Code, and the last four digits remain in the document.
Will the whole Social Security number be removed?
No. All but the last 4 digits are redacted. The form states that you understand the last four digits must remain in the public document as required by law, so the first five digits are the ones removed from the records you list.
Who can submit a request to redact an SSN in Hidalgo County?
The owner of the Social Security number or the individual's representative. The certification on the form says you are one of the two and that you submit proof of identification. The form does not say how a representative shows authority, so call (956)318-2100.
What do I need to send with the redaction request?
Proof of identification. The form says you submit the request along with it, and the office-use block has an Identification Copied line. The form does not list the accepted IDs, so confirm with the Clerk's office at (956)318-2100.
Where do I send the SSN redaction request in Hidalgo County?
Hand-deliver it to the County Clerk's Office at 100 N. Closner, Edinburg, TX 78539, or mail it to P.O. Box 58, Edinburg, TX 78540. The Clerk's forms page gives these addresses for its forms unless a form says otherwise. The phone number is (956)318-2100.
Can the Clerk deny my request to redact an SSN?
Yes. The form states that the request may be denied if another law requires a Social Security number to be maintained in a government document. The form gives no other grounds for denial.
Can I fill out the redaction request form online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, not affiliated with the Hidalgo County Clerk, and it does not file the request. You deliver it to the Clerk by hand or by mail.
Can the County Clerk help me prepare the request?
The Clerk's staff can tell you where to deliver the form. They cannot give legal advice. The forms page says the Hidalgo County Clerk and deputies are not attorneys, and legal questions should go to your attorney.
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