HB455 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Butch TaylorMayor

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Social Security number and birth date, person recording required and judge of probate authorized to redact, remove, or make illegible on marriage licenses and public documents, including military discharge forms, Sec. 12-13-22 am'd. (2010-20171)

Summary

HB455 would require redacting Social Security numbers and birth dates from certain public probate records and gives the probate judge authority to do so, with limited exceptions to protect privacy.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 12-13-22 to require that before recording any public-record documents filed in the probate court (excluding tax liens), the submitter redacts any Social Security number appearing in the document. It also requires redacting any birthdate appearing with a person’s name, unless the birthdate is legally required or a necessary part of the document, with tax liens exempt from birthdate redaction. The judge of probate may redact or make illegible such information in these records, and marriage certificates are specifically allowed to display birth dates. The act allows records to be published electronically or on the Internet, addresses federal law conflicts, and states that noncompliance does not invalidate already-recorded documents; it becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• People whose names or personal information appear on marriage licenses, military discharge forms, or other probate public records: their Social Security numbers and most birthdates will be redacted from public records (birthdates on marriage certificates remain visible).
• Probate court staff and the judge of probate: responsible for implementing the redaction rules, deciding what to redact, and potentially publishing records electronically or online.

Key Provisions

• Redaction of Social Security numbers before recording documents in the probate court, with removal as a condition to filing; tax liens are exempt from this requirement.
• Redaction of birthdates appearing with a person’s name before recording, unless required by law or necessary for the document; tax liens are exempt from this requirement.
• The judge of probate may redact or make illegible the specified information in eligible records; marriage certificates’ birthdates are not redacted.
• Records may be made available to the public in electronic format and published on the Internet.
• If federal law conflicts, the instrument must comply with federal law.
• Failure to comply with these requirements does not invalidate or adversely affect any recorded document.
• The act becomes effective immediately after passage and approval by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Social Security Number