--- title: "How to redact a PDF for free" description: "Redact a PDF for free: cover agreed details on a bank statement, pay stub or ID copy; save as images, no upload. One document free every 24 hours across tools, then paid access for new documents." canonical: "https://dokus.app/redact-pdf/" lang: "en" reviewed: "2026-10-29" app_store: "https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dokus-private-id-wallet/id6781915709" translations: en: "https://dokus.app/redact-pdf/" ro: "https://dokus.app/ro/ascunde-date-buletin-pa%C8%99aport/" en-IE: "https://dokus.app/en-ie/redact-passport-driving-licence/" en-NZ: "https://dokus.app/en-nz/redact-passport-driver-licence/" en-SG: "https://dokus.app/en-sg/redact-nric-passport-copy/" en-PH: "https://dokus.app/en-ph/redact-pdf/" en-MT: "https://dokus.app/en-mt/redact-maltese-id-eresidence/" da: "https://dokus.app/da/skjul-cpr-pas-k%C3%B8rekort-kopi/" fi: "https://dokus.app/fi/peit%C3%A4-henkil%C3%B6tunnus-passi-henkil%C3%B6kortti/" is: "https://dokus.app/is/fela-kennit%C3%B6lu-tekjuvottor%C3%B0-r%C3%A1%C3%B0ningarsamningur/" nb: "https://dokus.app/nb/skjul-f%C3%B8dselsnummer-pass-id-kort/" sv: "https://dokus.app/sv/maskera-personnummer-pass-id-kort/" el: "https://dokus.app/el/%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%B1%CE%B3%CF%81%CE%B1%CF%86%CE%AE-%CE%BA%CE%B5%CE%B9%CE%BC%CE%AD%CE%BD%CE%BF%CF%85-pdf-%CF%84%CE%B1%CF%85%CF%84%CF%8C%CF%84%CE%B7%CF%84%CE%B1-%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%B1%CE%B2%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%AE%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%BF/" sl: "https://dokus.app/sl/prekrivanje-podatkov-pdf-izkaznica-dovoljenje/" en-BS: "https://dokus.app/en-bs/redact-bahamas-passport-licence-data-access/" en-BM: "https://dokus.app/en-bm/redact-bermuda-bhb-passport-licence/" en-KY: "https://dokus.app/en-ky/redact-cayman-csd-worc-passport-licence/" en-TC: "https://dokus.app/en-tc/redact-tci-passport-police-record-agent-copy/" en-VG: "https://dokus.app/en-vg/redact-bvi-passport-entry-permit-agent-copy/" en-GB: "https://dokus.app/en-gb/redact-bank-statement/" en-CA: "https://dokus.app/en-ca/redact-id/" en-AU: "https://dokus.app/en-au/redact-id/" en-IN: "https://dokus.app/en-in/mask-aadhaar/" pt-BR: "https://dokus.app/pt/tarjar-documento/" pt-PT: "https://dokus.app/pt-pt/ocultar-dados-cartao-cidadao/" es: "https://dokus.app/es/pixelar-dni/" es-PE: "https://dokus.app/es-pe/ocultar-datos-dni/" es-AR: "https://dokus.app/es-ar/ocultar-datos-dni-pasaporte/" es-CL: "https://dokus.app/es-cl/ocultar-datos-carnet/" es-SV: "https://dokus.app/es-sv/ocultar-datos-dui/" es-VE: "https://dokus.app/es-ve/pixelar-imagen/" es-MX: "https://dokus.app/es-mx/ocultar-datos-ine/" es-CO: "https://dokus.app/es-co/ocultar-datos-cedula/" fr: "https://dokus.app/fr/masquer-carte-identite/" fr-BE: "https://dokus.app/fr-be/masquer-numero-national-revenus-location/" fr-LU: "https://dokus.app/fr-lu/masquer-matricule-copie-conseil-loyer/" fr-CA: "https://dokus.app/fr-ca/caviarder-passeport-permis-pdf/" fr-CH: "https://dokus.app/fr-ch/caviarder-carte-identite-permis/" de: "https://dokus.app/de/ausweiskopie-schwaerzen/" de-AT: "https://dokus.app/de-at/personalausweis-meldezettel-schw%C3%A4rzen/" de-CH: "https://dokus.app/de-ch/identit%C3%A4tskarte-f%C3%BChrerausweis-schw%C3%A4rzen/" nl: "https://dokus.app/nl/kopie-id-doorstrepen/" nl-BE: "https://dokus.app/nl-be/pdf-eid-paspoort-zwart-maken/" it: "https://dokus.app/it/censurare-pdf/" it-CH: "https://dokus.app/it-ch/oscurare-carta-identita-licenza-condurre/" id: "https://dokus.app/id/sensor-ktp/" ms: "https://dokus.app/ms/tutup-data-mykad/" ms-SG: "https://dokus.app/ms-sg/hitamkan-maklumat-nric-pasport/" pl: "https://dokus.app/pl/skan-dowodu-co-zaslonic/" tr: "https://dokus.app/tr/kimlik-bilgisi-karartma/" vi: "https://dokus.app/vi/che-thong-tin-cccd/" he: "https://dokus.app/he/%D7%94%D7%A1%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%AA-%D7%A4%D7%A8%D7%98%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%91%D7%AA%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%93%D7%94/" ar: "https://dokus.app/ar/%D8%A5%D8%AE%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A9/" ar-AE: "https://dokus.app/ar-ae/%D8%A5%D8%AE%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A9/" ar-BH: "https://dokus.app/ar-bh/%D8%A5%D8%AE%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B2/" ar-KW: "https://dokus.app/ar-kw/%D8%A5%D8%AE%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9/" ar-OM: "https://dokus.app/ar-om/%D8%A5%D8%AE%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%A3%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86/" ar-QA: "https://dokus.app/ar-qa/%D8%A5%D8%AE%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B2/" hi: "https://dokus.app/hi/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3-%E0%A4%9B%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%8F%E0%A4%81/" ja: "https://dokus.app/ja/%E8%BA%AB%E5%88%86%E8%A8%BC-%E3%83%9E%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AD%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0/" ko: "https://dokus.app/ko/%EC%A3%BC%EB%AF%BC%EB%93%B1%EB%A1%9D%EB%B2%88%ED%98%B8-%EA%B0%80%EB%A6%AC%EA%B8%B0/" th: "https://dokus.app/th/%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%A5-%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%99/" zh-Hans: "https://dokus.app/zh/%E8%BA%AB%E4%BB%BD%E8%AF%81-%E4%BF%A1%E6%81%AF%E9%81%AE%E7%9B%96/" zh-SG: "https://dokus.app/zh-sg/%E6%96%B0%E5%8A%A0%E5%9D%A1%E8%BA%AB%E4%BB%BD%E8%AF%81%E6%8A%A4%E7%85%A7%E4%BF%A1%E6%81%AF%E6%B6%82%E9%BB%91/" zh-Hant: "https://dokus.app/zh-tw/%E8%BA%AB%E5%88%86%E8%AD%89%E5%BD%B1%E6%9C%AC-%E9%81%AE%E8%94%BD/" zh-MO: "https://dokus.app/zh-mo/%E6%BE%B3%E9%96%80%E5%85%A5%E5%AD%B8%E6%9F%A5%E8%A9%A2%E9%81%AE%E8%93%8B%E8%BA%AB%E4%BB%BD%E8%AD%89%E8%B3%87%E6%96%99/" zh-HK: "https://dokus.app/zh-hk/%E8%A8%AA%E5%AE%A2%E7%99%BB%E8%A8%98%E5%86%8A-%E9%81%AE%E8%93%8B%E5%80%8B%E4%BA%BA%E8%B3%87%E6%96%99/" --- # How to redact a PDF for free To redact a PDF for free, open the PDF, scan or photo and draw a Blur box over each detail the recipient agrees is unnecessary, such as an account number on a bank statement. Keep required name, address, dates and evidence readable. Download the image-based copy and inspect every page before sharing. You can download one document free every 24 hours across all tools in this browser. New documents after that require paid access. ## How to redact a PDF 1. Confirm what the recipient needs and whether an edited sharing copy is accepted. Keep the complete issued statement separately. 2. Open the PDF, scan or photo. Document is selected for a full-page statement; choose Driver's license or Passport when editing a card or passport-page copy instead. 3. With Blur selected, draw a box over each agreed unnecessary field or transaction. Check the automatic crop, every processed page and repeated account details. 4. Download the PDF, reopen it and check the result. The replacement is painted into the saved page image rather than left as a removable overlay. ## Redact a bank statement: decide what the recipient may accept There is no universal set of bank-statement fields that can be hidden. Ask whether a particular account number or unrelated transaction is unnecessary for this request. Keep required name, address, statement dates, balances and income entries readable. Do not change financial amounts or create replacement evidence. For a pay stub, agree which identifiers are unnecessary while preserving the required employer, pay period and income details. [The FTC recommends](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-identity-theft) asking why a Social Security number is needed and whether a different identifier would do. That is not permission to hide evidence a legitimate recipient requires. For a rental request, [verify the listing and recipient](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/rental-listing-scams) before sending financial or identity records. For a license or passport copy, confirm whether an identifier is needed before covering it. A passport number may also appear in the machine-readable lines. Check both locations and all other repeated fields. A personal edited copy cannot replace an original or prescribed identity check. ## What the saved redaction removes The tool replaces selected regions with paper-like texture. It does not blur the original characters or draw a black bar. The exported region has no removable overlay or original text layer beneath it; information outside the selected boxes can still reveal the same details. Open JPG, PNG, supported HEIC or PDF up to 25 MB. Only the first ten PDF pages are processed. The exported PDF contains page images and loses selectable text, digital signatures and interactive fields. Keep the issued original when those properties matter. Processing stays in your browser, without a document upload or account. The source stays unchanged and the download excludes camera metadata. You can [label an accepted copy for its recipient](https://dokus.app/watermark-id-copy/), [reduce the attachment size](https://dokus.app/compress-id-scan/) or [put requested ID sides into PDF](https://dokus.app/id-card-to-pdf/). Read the [ID-sharing guide](https://dokus.app/is-it-safe-to-send-a-picture-of-your-id/) before sending a separate identity attachment. ## Common questions ### How do I redact a bank statement for free? Open the statement with Document selected, use Blur to cover agreed unnecessary details, then download and inspect the PDF. Confirm that the recipient accepts the edited copy and keep all required evidence readable. One document is free every 24 hours across all tools in this browser. New documents after that require paid access. Examples do not count, and downloading a previously counted document again is free. Documents are processed locally; an internet connection is needed to activate or verify paid access. ### What should I redact on a bank statement? Ask the recipient which details it does not need. There is no universal list. Keep required identity, address, statement dates and financial evidence visible, and check repeated information on every page. ### Can I redact a pay stub? Yes, when the recipient accepts a sharing copy with the agreed extra fields hidden. Keep required employer, pay period, income and identity evidence readable, and check repeated identifiers before sending. ### Can I redact a passport or driver's license copy? Yes, if the recipient accepts that edited copy. Choose the matching document type, keep required fields visible and check repeated passport numbers in the machine-readable lines. Keep the unchanged original. ### Can I black out text in a PDF here? Select the area with Blur. The tool fills it with paper-like texture rather than a black bar. The original selected pixels and text are absent from the exported page image. ### Will the saved PDF keep its text or signatures? No. It contains page images and loses selectable text, interactive fields and digital signatures. Only the first ten PDF pages are processed, so check the page count before sharing. ### Is my document uploaded to redact it? No. The copy is processed in your browser on your device, without an account or document upload. Your original file stays unchanged. All your documents at hand on your iPhone, iPad and Mac, ready to send in two taps. 4.8 out of 5 stars [Free on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dokus-private-id-wallet/id6781915709) ## Sources Reviewed on October 29, 2026 - [What To Know About Identity Theft (FTC Consumer Advice)](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-identity-theft) - [Rental Listing Scams (FTC Consumer Advice)](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/rental-listing-scams) - [Using files from web applications (MDN)](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/File_API/Using_files_from_web_applications)