2015 Tennessee Code
Title 10 - Public Libraries, Archives And Records
Chapter 7 - Public Records
Part 5 - Miscellaneous Provisions
§ 10-7-515 - Social security identification numbers on documents -- Redaction.

(a) The preparer of any document recorded in the office of the county register of deeds shall not place a social security identification number on any document filed or recorded in the office of the county register of deeds, other than a power of attorney. However, the county register shall not refuse to record a document for failure of the preparer to comply with the prohibition contained in this section regarding use of social security identification numbers; nor shall the failure to comply with such prohibition affect the validity or recordability of any document.

(b) Any person or the surviving spouse, attorney-in-fact, or court appointed guardian of the person, may request that a county register of deeds redact the person's social security identification number from any recorded document, if the records are stored in a manner that permits redaction.

(c) The request for redaction of a social security identification number pursuant to subsection (b) shall be made on a paper writing, in a form substantially as follows:

REQUEST FOR REDACTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER FROM ELECTRONIC DATABASES

(d) The completed request form provided in subsection (c) may be recorded in the office of the county register of deeds where submitted. The register has no duty to inquire beyond the acknowledged request to verify the identity or authority of the person requesting the redaction.

(e) Upon recording the written request, the county register shall act in accordance with the request to redact the social security identification number from electronic databases in the office of the county register where practicable. If redaction is not practicable, the county register shall not record the request form and shall verbally or by writing explain why redaction is impracticable to the person making the request.

(f) [Deleted by 2015 amendment.]

(g) A county register of deeds may redact any social security number that is found on a recorded document maintained on a computer or removable computer storage media, including CD-ROM disk, if the records are stored in a manner that permits redaction.