How to redact notes for court

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Fatima Covino

• June 06, 2025 16:59

How can I redact saved notes for court, but save the original ?

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  Ashley Cook

  • June 06, 2025 22:37

  Here’s how I handle court requests when I need to redact content but still retain the original:

  1. I lock all my original notes once finalized so they remain intact and timestamped. That’s the version I keep as part of the clinical record—unchanged and legally protected.

  2. When something needs to be redacted (e.g., sensitive trauma content, third-party info, speculation), I export a PDF of the note, open it in a secure PDF editor (I use Adobe Acrobat Pro), and redact the necessary sections manually.

  3. I save the redacted version with a clear file name (e.g., “Redacted_Note_forCourt_6-6-25”) and upload it back into the client’s SimplePractice file under Documents. I label it clearly so it’s distinct from the original.

  4. Before anything is released, I always have a signed Release of Information specifying what’s being shared, with whom, and for what purpose.

  5. If I do redact, I also make a note to myself (privately) explaining why, just in case I ever need to account for it down the line.

  My original notes remains untouched, the redacted version is court-appropriate, and everything stays HIPAA- and legally compliant. Good luck.

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