Ask for the data you need, not the whole document

Every full ID copy, payslip or bank statement you keep is a liability if it leaks. See IDs instead of copying them, and ask for income proofs with everything else covered. The message below does the asking and points applicants to a free tool that works on their own device.

Why ask for less

  • Less to lose

    A copy you never received can't leak from your files.

  • Data protection authorities say so

    Collect only what the purpose needs. In Germany, the data protection authorities' guidance for landlords says an ID may be shown at the viewing but not copied, and that income proofs may be sent with the details you don't need blacked out. DSK guidance for landlords (German)

  • Applicants can do it in a minute

    The tool is free, needs no account and doesn't upload their document.

How it works

  1. Decide what you need

    For example: name, employer and net monthly income from the last three payslips. To confirm identity, see the ID; don't ask for a copy.

  2. Send the message

    Copy it below, fill in the brackets, and send it with your request.

  3. Receive a marked copy

    You get only what you asked for, watermarked for you and the purpose.

What to ask for, document by document

  • ID card or passport

    Show, don't send. Ask to see it at the viewing or in person, and note that you checked it. Don't keep a copy.

  • Payslip

    Keep visible: name, employer, pay period, net pay. Cover: tax and social security numbers, bank details, deductions and everything else.

  • Bank statement

    Keep visible: name, statement period, the incoming payments you asked to see. Cover: every other transaction, and card and account numbers.

  • Tax assessment

    Keep visible: name, tax year, total income. Cover: tax ID, bank details, itemized deductions, and other people's details.

The message to send

Copy the version in your applicant's language. Replace the parts in [brackets].

Subject: Your documents for [purpose] — please send only what we need Hello [name], For [purpose], we need the following from your [document, for example: last three payslips]: [for example: your name, your employer and your net monthly income]. Please cover everything else before you send it, such as your tax or social security number, bank details, deductions or transactions we don't need. We don't want to hold more of your personal data than we have to. Please don't send a copy of your ID. If we need to confirm who you are, we'll ask to see it [at the viewing / in person]. You can cover the details for free with Dress Docs, which works on your own device and doesn't upload your document: https://app.dressdocs.vzla.io 1. Open your document or a photo of it. 2. Draw a box over everything that isn't on the list above. 3. Add a watermark: "Copy for [company] — [purpose] — [date]". 4. Export and send us the file. Thank you, [your name] [company]

Questions from receivers

Can I ask for a redacted ID copy instead?

At the applicant stage, ask to see the ID instead. The German data protection authorities' guidance for landlords says an ID may be shown, not copied. Where a law requires a copy, make it yourself as the law describes.

Does the applicant have to use Dress Docs?

No. Any tool works if it removes the covered content from the file. A black box drawn in a PDF editor often doesn't: here's why.

Does it cost the applicant anything?

No. The Free plan covers this job and needs no account. There's a free phone app for photos of documents too.

Can I check that a copy is really redacted?

Yes. Try to select the text under a cover; in a file exported by Dress Docs there is none, and the file's properties are empty.

Does Dress Docs see the documents applicants send me?

No. The applicant redacts on their own device and sends the file to you directly.

Try it yourself before you send the message