In order to protect personal privacy and in compliance with California Uniform Commercial Code section 9526.5, the Secretary of State's office removed ("redacted") social security numbers, if provided, from all Uniform Commercial Code records filed prior to December 31, 2007. In addition, the Secretary of State's office commenced redacting any social security number provided on a record filed on paper after January 1, 2008.

For each Uniform Commercial Code record that is redacted, the Secretary of State's office maintains the original un-redacted official filing image and creates a redacted public filing image, which is available for Uniform Commercial Code information requests. The un-redacted official filing image only is available to the public pursuant to a subpoena or an order from a court of competent jurisdiction.

In event that the Secretary of State misses redacting a social security number from a Uniform Commercial Code record, any person may notify the Secretary of State's office and specify the file of document number of the record and the location of the social security number within the record, and the Secretary of State will create a redacted public filing image of the record within 10 business days from receipt of the notification.

UCC filings are public records. Please do not put people at risk of identity theft by including social security numbers or any nonessential personal information on any documents for filing with the Secretary of State.

For more information on identity theft, you may want to visit the California Attorney General's Privacy and Enforcement website at www.oag.ca.gov/privacy.