BASALT · JOURNAL
How to redact an identity document PDF
Identity documents are frequently requested as PDFs, but a full scan can expose a document number, date of birth, address, machine-readable zone, barcode, and signature. Share the minimum needed for the transaction.
Confirm the required proof
Ask whether the recipient needs identity, age, nationality, address, or only a name match. If a redacted copy is acceptable, preserve the requested fields and mask the rest. Adding a visible purpose label can also reduce reuse, but it does not replace redaction.
Inspect both sides and machine-readable data
Review every page and image, including the reverse side. Search for the document number in printed, OCR, and unspaced forms. Treat QR codes, barcodes, and machine-readable zones as data-bearing. Check metadata, attachments, and comments after exporting.
Make and verify a purpose-limited copy
Keep the original in a protected location. Export a separate copy, reopen it, search for removed values, and zoom into every redaction. Confirm that the file still contains the exact page set and fields the recipient requested.
Frequently asked questions
Should I redact the document number?
Usually, unless the recipient’s identity-verification process specifically requires it. Ask before sharing a complete number.
Are QR codes safe to leave visible?
Not automatically. They may encode the same identifiers as the printed fields or additional information.
Is a watermark enough to protect an ID scan?
No. A watermark may discourage reuse, but it does not remove sensitive data. Use permanent redaction where appropriate.
Doing it in Basalt
Basalt searches ID scans locally, removes pixels and OCR representations, strips hidden content, and verifies the redacted PDF before it leaves your Mac. Download Basalt.
Redaction that proves itself
Basalt destroys the content you mark, then re-opens the file it wrote and proves the content is gone before it saves anything. Your documents never leave your Mac.