As Hire Image reported last year, Michigan issued an order to redact dates of birth from court records, rendering it far more difficult, if not impossible, to match records to applicants for employment and rental housing. The Michigan Supreme Court also ordered that dates of birth be removed from the public court records based on their interpretation of the redaction requirements and stated that Court Clerks may no longer verify a date of birth verbally for records. This order’s effective date had quickly been extended from July 1, 2021 to January 1, 2022.
In December of 2021, the Michigan Supreme Court amended the previous order regarding the redaction of the date of birth (DOB) from court records. The amendment took effect on April 1, 2022.
Michigan FAQs
Now, Frequently Asked Questions have been released by the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) regarding “Personal Identifying Information in Court Filings.” These FAQs address the general rules, orders, and standards regarding redacted information.
According to MCR 1.109(D)(9)(a), the following information may be redacted from Michigan records: Date of Birth, Social Security Number or National Identification Number, Driver’s License Number or State-issued Personal Identification Card Number, Passport Number, and Financial Account Numbers. We will keep you updated of any movement from the Michigan courts and of any delays in your searches.
Do you have any questions about your own background screening processes? Contact us to learn more about a thorough screening package, including employment and education verifications.
