SSN redaction
Find and remove Social Security numbers from a PDF
Tax forms, HR files, court filings and loan applications are full of Social Security numbers. RedactSnap scans every page for the ###-##-#### pattern, shows you each match, and removes the ones you approve from the exported file.
Drop a PDF here, or click to choose
PDF, PNG or JPG
Opens in your browser. The file is never uploaded.
What Smart Scan flags in SSN-heavy documents
Social Security numbers
Matches in the standard ###-##-#### format on every page with a text layer.
Names
A local named-entity model flags people's names so you can remove them alongside the number.
Phone numbers and emails
Common contact formats are detected automatically.
Other ID formats
SSNs written without dashes, or EINs and ITINs, can be added as custom terms.
How to redact an SSN from a PDF
- 1
Open the PDF in the tool above. Nothing is uploaded.
- 2
Click Smart Scan. Every SSN-formatted number is listed with its page.
- 3
Review the matches and accept them. Draw extra boxes for anything the scan missed.
- 4
Export the flattened PDF and use the verification view to confirm the numbers are gone.
Scanned forms need a manual pass
Smart Scan reads the PDF's text layer. If your document is a scan or a photo with no selectable text, the scanner can't see the digits. Draw boxes over them by hand. A quick test: if you can't highlight the SSN with your cursor, it's an image.
Partial SSNs and truncation
Some workflows only require removing the first five digits and leaving the last four. Draw a box over just the leading digits. The export flattens the page, so the hidden digits cannot be recovered from the visible ones.
Frequently asked questions
Does it find SSNs written without dashes?
The built-in pattern looks for the dashed ###-##-#### format, which avoids false positives on other 9-digit numbers. Add undashed numbers as a custom term, or draw a box over them.
Can I redact SSNs from a W-2 or 1099?
Yes. Digitally generated tax forms usually have a text layer, so Smart Scan finds the SSN. For a scanned copy, draw boxes manually.
Is my file uploaded anywhere?
No. RedactSnap reads the PDF with your browser's File API and processes it in memory on your device. There is no upload endpoint and no server-side copy of your document. You can confirm this by opening your browser's network tab while you redact.
Is the redaction permanent or just a black box on top?
Permanent. A black rectangle drawn in an ordinary PDF editor can be copied around or deleted, leaving the text underneath readable. RedactSnap exports every page as a flattened image, so the original text layer, fonts and hidden objects are not carried into the file you download.