Asks to keep specific filings or exhibits out of the public court record.
A request to keep a filing, exhibit, transcript, or part of the record from public view. Because court records are presumptively public, a motion to seal must usually identify specific material and explain why secrecy outweighs public access.
Filed when a party needs to submit trade secrets, medical records, minors names, confidential business information, sealed settlement terms, security information, or sensitive personal data.
The opposing party may consent, oppose secrecy, propose narrower redactions, or argue that the material is already public or not truly sensitive. Media or public-interest groups may also object.
Courts may grant sealing, require narrower redactions, temporarily seal pending review, or deny the request and require public filing. Blanket sealing requests are often rejected.