Is BOI Filing Information Public? Privacy Explained

Understanding the Privacy Question

When filing your Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI), you're required to submit sensitive details about yourself and your business, including:

• Personal home addresses
• Dates of birth
• Driver's license or passport numbers
• Ownership structures
• Business control information

Naturally, this raises concerns: Where does this information go? Who can see it? How is it protected?

The Short Answer

No, BOI filing information is not public. The information is stored in a secure, private database that only specific authorized parties can access.

Who Can Access BOI Information?

Federal Agencies

• FinCEN
• Law enforcement for investigations
• National security agencies
• Federal regulators

State and Local Authorities

• Law enforcement with court authorization
• State regulators
• Local prosecutors with approval

Financial Institutions

• Banks (with company permission)
• Credit unions (with permission)
• Other financial institutions for compliance

Who Cannot Access BOI Information

• General public
• Business competitors
• Marketing companies
• Data aggregators
• Journalists
• Private investigators

How Your Information is Protected

Security Measures

• Secure federal database
• Encryption protocols
• Access tracking
• Security audits
• Breach notifications

Legal Protections

• Criminal penalties for unauthorized disclosure
• Strict access controls
• User verification
• Access logging
• Regular audits

What Information is Protected

Company Details

• Business address
• Formation information
• Registration numbers
• Business structure

Personal Information

• Owner names
• Birth dates
• Home addresses
• ID numbers
• ID documents

Bank Access Requirements

When Banks Can Access

• During account opening
• For due diligence
• With written consent
• For compliance purposes

What Banks Must Do

• Get company permission
• Document access reason
• Maintain confidentiality
• Follow security protocols

Comparing BOI vs Public Records

Public Records Include

• Company name
• Registered agent
• Business address
• State filings
• Formation documents

BOI Protected Information

• Owner details
• Personal addresses
• ID numbers
• Birth dates
• Control information

Common Privacy Concerns

Business Owner Questions

• Information security
• Access controls
• Data protection
• Usage limitations

How They're Addressed

• Strict access limits
• Legal penalties
• Security protocols
• Regular audits

Special Situations

International Access

• Limited to authorized agencies
• Through formal channels
• With proper authorization
• Following protocols

Law Enforcement

• Requires authorization
• For specific purposes
• With documentation
• Under oversight

Protecting Your Information

Best Practices

• Accurate filings
• Regular updates
• Proper documentation
• Secure record keeping

Using BOISimply ($129)

• Secure handling
• Private transmission
• Protected storage
• Controlled access

Unauthorized Access Penalties

Criminal Penalties

• Up to $250,000 fine
• Possible imprisonment
• Criminal record
• Professional consequences

Civil Penalties

• Substantial fines
• Legal liability
• Compliance actions
• Remediation requirements

What Business Owners Should Know

Your Rights

• Know who accessed information
• Receive breach notifications
• Update incorrect information
• File access complaints

Your Responsibilities

• Accurate filing
• Timely updates
• Proper verification
• Secure handling

Common Questions

"Can competitors see my information?"

No, competitors have no access to BOI filings

"Is this like public records?"

No, BOI information is private and restricted

"Who sees my home address?"

Only authorized agencies and approved entities

"Can I restrict access further?"

Access is already highly restricted by law

Next Steps

1. Review your filing information
2. Ensure accuracy
3. Maintain proper documentation
4. Choose secure filing method

Need help protecting your privacy while staying compliant? Let BOISimply handle your filing securely.

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