Illinois Form DSD A 275: Suppress Personal Info – Illinois judicial officers can protect their privacy and safety by requesting that the Secretary of State suppress personal information from Driver Services, Vehicle Services, and Notary records. Form DSD A 275 makes this possible under the state’s Judicial Privacy Act. This guide explains the form, who qualifies, what information can be suppressed, how to complete and submit it, and related resources for U.S. residents, particularly those in Illinois.
What Is Form DSD A 275?
Form DSD A 275 is the official Illinois Secretary of State document titled “Request to Suppress Personal Information – For Judicial Officer.” It allows eligible judicial officers to ask the Secretary of State to stop publicly disclosing certain personal details from records the office maintains.
According to the form itself, upon a judicial officer’s request the Secretary of State is restricted from publicly disclosing personal information relating to the judicial officer, their spouse, child, parent, or any blood relative who resides in the same residence. The suppressed information is also exempt from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
The form is available as a fillable PDF from the official Illinois Secretary of State website. You can download Form DSD A 275 here.
Legal Basis: The Illinois Judicial Privacy Act
Form DSD A 275 operates under the Judicial Privacy Act (705 ILCS 90/). Enacted in 2012 (Public Act 97-847) and later amended, the law aims to improve the safety and security of Illinois judicial officers so they can administer justice without fear of personal reprisal.
The Act defines “personal information” to include home address, home or mobile telephone numbers, pager number, personal email address, Social Security number, federal tax identification number, checking and savings account numbers, credit card numbers, marital status, and the identity of children under age 18.
It also covers immediate family members who live with the judicial officer. The law was inspired in part by the tragic 2005 murders of the husband and mother of U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow. More recent updates have expanded related protections for certain public officials, but Form DSD A 275 specifically serves judicial officers for Secretary of State records.
Who Can Use Form DSD A 275?
The form is designed for judicial officers. Under the Judicial Privacy Act and related guidance from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, this generally includes:
- Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court
- Judges of the Illinois Appellate Court
- Judges and associate judges of the Illinois Circuit Courts
- Certain federal judicial officers serving in Illinois (as applicable under the Act)
- Administrative law judges in some contexts (separate forms may apply)
Family members (spouse, child, parent, or blood relative) residing in the same household can also have their information suppressed when listed on the form. The judicial officer completes and signs the request.
Note that separate forms exist for public officials (such as DSD A 407) and for removing suppression later (DSD A 276). Always use the correct form for your status.
What Personal Information Can Be Suppressed?
The form targets personal information held in Secretary of State Driver Services, Vehicle Services, and Notary records. This includes:
- Home address (with an option to change residence or mailing address to a business address)
- Home or mobile telephone numbers
- Personal email addresses
- Social Security number
- Financial account information
- Marital status
- Identity of children under age 18
Suppression applies to the judicial officer and qualifying household family members listed on the form. Vehicle registration details (license plate, VIN, year, and make) and driver’s license or ID card records can be included.
Important limitation: This form only covers records maintained by the Secretary of State’s Driver Services, Vehicle Services, and Notary functions. For other government agencies, courts, or entities, judicial officers should contact the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (217-782-7770) or use the AOIC Judicial Request for Removal of Personal Information form.
How to Complete and Submit Form DSD A 275?
Follow these steps based on the official form instructions:
- Download the form — Obtain the current fillable PDF from the Illinois Secretary of State: https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a275.pdf.
- Provide identifying information — Enter the judicial officer’s name, driver’s license or ID card number, judicial title, and indicate whether you are a notary.
- Address change section (optional) — Request to change the residence or mailing address on license plate registration and/or driver’s license/ID card to a business address. List the business address and current address.
- Suppression section — List the judicial officer and all qualifying family members residing in the same household. Include name, driver’s license/ID number, date of birth, and gender for each person whose information should be suppressed. For vehicles, provide license plate number, VIN, year, and make.
- Identification and signature — Note the identification presented, then sign and date the form.
- Submit the form — Deliver it to a Secretary of State facility or email it to [email protected]. The form lists Driver Services Field Headquarters contact details (2701 S. Dirksen Pkwy., Springfield, IL 62723; 217-782-7044).
There is no fee to submit Form DSD A 275. Processing times can vary. Keep a copy for your records. If a family member moves out or the judicial officer changes residence, a new form must be submitted.
Related Forms and Resources
Several related documents support the suppression process:
- Form DSD A 276 — Request to Remove Suppressed Personal Information – For Judicial Officer (use when suppression is no longer needed or a family member no longer resides with the officer).
- AOIC Judicial Request for Removal of Personal Information — For records held by other entities; available through the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.
- Public Official forms — Separate forms (such as DSD A 407 and I 284) apply to certain elected or appointed public officials under the Public Official Safety and Privacy Act.
Official publications and forms are listed on the Illinois Secretary of State Driver’s License and ID Card Publications page: https://www.ilsos.gov/publications/motorist/dlid.html.
Why Suppression Matters for Judicial Officers?
Judicial officers make decisions that can affect individuals’ lives, sometimes leading to threats or harassment. Suppressing home addresses, phone numbers, and other personal details reduces the risk that this information will appear in public records, FOIA responses, or online postings. The Judicial Privacy Act includes criminal penalties for knowingly posting protected personal information when it poses an imminent serious threat and results in injury or death.
Suppression does not prevent a judicial officer from voluntarily sharing their own information. It simply limits unauthorized public disclosure by the Secretary of State and, when properly requested, by other covered entities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee for Form DSD A 275?
No. The Illinois Secretary of State does not charge a fee for this request.
Does the form cover all government records?
No. It applies only to Secretary of State Driver Services, Vehicle Services, and Notary records. Contact the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts for other records.
What if my family member moves out?
Submit a new Form DSD A 275 or the removal form (DSD A 276) as appropriate so the suppression remains accurate.
Where can I get help?
Contact the Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services at 217-782-7044 or visit a local facility. For broader judicial privacy matters, reach the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts at 217-782-7770 or [email protected].
Download Form DSD A 275 and Take Action
Judicial officers in Illinois who wish to protect their personal information should complete Form DSD A 275 promptly. The official download link is:
Download Illinois Secretary of State Form DSD A 275 (PDF)
Always use the most current version from the official Illinois Secretary of State website (ilsos.gov). For the latest statutes, refer to the Illinois General Assembly site. Protecting personal information helps judicial officers serve the public safely and effectively.