{{Short description|Program for crime survivors and others needing privacy}} In the United States an '''address confidentiality program''' allows survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or other types of crime to be assigned a legal substitute address that is different from their actual residential address, in order to keep their location confidential. Program participants can receive mail at the substitute address and it will be forwarded for free, and are able to use the substitute address in government records.<ref name="Queens">{{Cite web|url=https://queenseagle.com/all/law-enables-sex-assault-stalking-and-trafficking-survivors-to-conceal-their-addresses|publisher=Queens Eagle|title=Law enables sex assault, stalking and trafficking survivors to conceal their addresses|date=1 August 2019|accessdate=5 September 2019|author=Victoria Merlino}}</ref> In some states or jurisdictions, reproductive healthcare workers and employees of agencies that assist survivors of domestic violence or stalking are also eligible.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sos.ca.gov/registries/safe-home/applicants|title=Applicants {{!}} California Secretary of State|website=www.sos.ca.gov|access-date=2023-03-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ovsjg.dc.gov/acp|title=Address Confidentiality Program {{!}} D.C. Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants|website=www.ovsjg.dc.gov|access-date=2023-03-28}}</ref>
Survivors usually apply through a state's Secretary of State office, although some programs are run through other state agencies such as the Office of the Attorney General. Once a survivor is admitted to the program, they will receive an assigned PO box or other address that will legally substitute their residential address on public records, such as voting registration.
According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence,
<blockquote>Address Confidentiality Programs (ACP) and Confidential Voter Listings are programs administered by the state enabling victims of domestic violence (and sometime victims of sexual assault and/or stalking) to participate in the voting process without fear of being found by their abusers. ACPs generally provide a substitute address for all public records. Confidential Voter Listings only provide confidentiality on election-related public records.</blockquote>
==States with Confidential Address Programs==
{| class="wikitable" |- ! State (link to state site) ! Voter Registration ! Drivers License ! School Registration ! Other Services <ref group="note">marriage licenses, name changes, and child support are services offered by some states. Many states also let participants receive legal service documents.</ref> ! Phone/Contact |- |[https://www.azsos.gov/services/acp '''Arizona''']|| yes || yes || yes || yes || 602-542-1653<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.azsos.gov/services/acp|title=Address Confidentiality Program - Arizona Secretary of State|website=www.azsos.gov}}</ref> |- |'''Arkansas'''|| no || yes || no || no || 501-682-7052<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/3093.htm|title=Indiana ACP|last=|first=|date=|website=victimsofcrime.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150828062535/http://www.in.gov:80/attorneygeneral/3093.htm |archive-date=2015-08-28 |access-date=}}</ref> |- |'''[https://www.sos.ca.gov/registries/safe-home California]'''|| yes - by mail || yes || yes || yes || 877-322-5227<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.ca.gov/registries/safe-home/about-safeathome/|title=About Safe at Home - California Secretary of State|website=www.sos.ca.gov}}</ref> |- |[https://dcs.colorado.gov/acp '''Colorado''']||yes||yes||yes||yes||303-866-2208<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dcs.colorado.gov/acp|title=Address Confidentiality Program - DCS|website=www.colorado.gov}}</ref> |- |[https://portal.ct.gov/sots/business-services/acp/address-confidentiality-program '''Connecticut''']||yes||yes||yes||yes||multiple numbers depending on location<ref>{{cite web|url=https://portal.ct.gov/sots/business-services/acp/address-confidentiality-program|title=Address Confidentiality Program|publisher=}}</ref> |- |'''Delaware''' |yes||yes |no info |no info |(800) 870-1790<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.ca.gov/registries/safe-home/contact/address-confidentiality-programs-public-contact-information/|title=Address Confidentiality Programs - Public Contact Information - California Secretary of State|website=www.sos.ca.gov}}</ref> |- |'''Florida''' |yes - absentee||yes |no info |no info |(800) 226-6667<ref name=":0" /> |- |[https://sos.idaho.gov/acp/'''Idaho'''] |yes||yes |yes |yes |(208) 332-2836<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sos.idaho.gov/ACP/index.html|title=Address Confidentiality Program|website=sos.idaho.gov}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |- |[https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/safer-communities/supporting-victims-of-crime/address-confidentiality-program/ '''Illinois'''] |yes - absentee |yes |yes |no info |(844) 916-0295<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/victims/address_confidentiality.html|title=Illinois Attorney General - Illinois Address Confidentiality Program|website=illinoisattorneygeneral.gov|access-date=2020-10-02|archive-date=2020-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930224001/https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/victims/address_confidentiality.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |[https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/about-the-office/appeals/victim-services/address-confidentiality-program/ '''Indiana'''] |yes - absentee |yes |yes |yes |(800) 321-1907<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/3093.htm|title=Attorney General: Address Confidentiality Program|website=www.in.gov|access-date=2019-10-20|archive-date=2015-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150828062535/http://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/3093.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |'''[https://safeathome.iowa.gov/ Iowa]''' |yes - absentee||yes |yes |yes |(515) 725-7233<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://safeathome.iowa.gov/pdf/Brochure.pdf|title=Safe at Home}}</ref> |- |'''[https://ag.ks.gov/victim-services/safe-at-home Kansas]''' |yes||yes |yes |yes |(785) 296-3806<ref name=":0" /> |- |'''[https://sos.ky.gov/elections/ACP/Pages/default.aspx Kentucky]''' |yes - absentee||no |no |no |(502) 564-3490<ref name=":0" /> |- |'''[https://www.sos.la.gov/OurOffice/AddressConfidentialityProgram/Pages/default.aspx Louisiana]''' |yes - absentee||yes |yes |yes |800.825.3805<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sos.la.gov/OurOffice/AddressConfidentialityProgram/Pages/default.aspx|title=Address Confidentiality Program|website=www.sos.la.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2018-02-07}}</ref> |- |'''[http://www.maine.gov/sos/acp/index.html Maine]''' |yes - absentee||no info |yes |yes |(207) 626-8400 |- |'''[http://sos.maryland.gov/ACP/Pages/default.aspx Maryland]''' |yes||yes |yes |no info |410-260-3875 <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sos.maryland.gov/ACP/Pages/default.aspx|title=Safe At Home|website=sos.maryland.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2018-02-07}}</ref> |- |'''[https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/acp/address-confidentiality-program.htm Massachusetts]''' |yes||yes |yes |no info |1-866-SAFE-ADD<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/acp/address-confidentiality-program.htm|title=Address Confidentiality Program|website=www.sec.state.ma.us|access-date=2023-02-18}}</ref> |- |'''[http://mi.gov/agacp Michigan]''' |yes |yes |yes |yes |313-456-0190<ref>{{Cite web |title=Address Confidentiality Program |url=https://www.michigan.gov/ag/initiatives/address-confidentiality/acp-applicants |access-date=}}</ref> |- |'''[http://www.sos.state.mn.us/safe-at-home/about-safe-at-home/ Minnesota]''' |yes - by mail||separate application |yes |yes |(866) 723-3035<ref name=":0" /> |- |'''[https://www.ago.state.ms.us/divisions/bureau-of-victim-assistance/ Mississippi]''' |yes||yes |yes |no info |(800) 829-6766<ref name=":0" /> |- |'''[https://s1.sos.mo.gov/business/safeathome/ Missouri]''' |yes||yes |yes |yes |(866) 509-1409<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://s1.sos.mo.gov/business/safeathome/|title=Safe at Home|last=IT|first=Missouri Secretary of State -|website=s1.sos.mo.gov|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-07}}</ref> |- |'''[https://dojmt.gov/victims/address-confidentiality-program/ Montana]''' |yes||no info |no info |no info |1-800-498-6455<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dojmt.gov/victims/address-confidentiality-program/|title=Address Confidentiality Program - Montana Department of Justice|work=Montana Department of Justice|access-date=2018-02-07|language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''[http://www.sos.ne.gov/business/acp_menu.html Nebraska]''' |yes - early voting||yes |yes |no info |(866) 227-6327<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sos.ne.gov/business/acp_menu.html|title=Nebraska Secretary of State|website=www.sos.ne.gov|access-date=2018-02-07}}</ref> |- |'''[http://dcfs.nv.gov/Programs/CAP/ConfidentialAddressProgram/ Nevada]''' |yes - absentee||yes |yes |yes |888-432-6189<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dcfs.nv.gov/Programs/CAP/FAQ/|title=Nevada Department of Health & Human Services Division of Child & Family Services : Confidential Address Program FAQ|last=|first=|date=|website=nvsos.gov|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126001945/http://dcfs.nv.gov:80/Programs/CAP/FAQ/ |archive-date=2018-01-26 |access-date=2018-02-07}}</ref> |- |'''[https://www.doj.nh.gov/criminal/victim-assistance/address-confidentiality.htm New Hampshire]''' |yes - absentee||yes||yes |yes |(603) 271-1240<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.doj.nh.gov/criminal/victim-assistance/address-confidentiality-faq.htm|title=Address Confidentiality FAQ {{!}} Victim Services {{!}} NH Department of Justice|website=www.doj.nh.gov|access-date=2018-02-07}}</ref> |- |'''[http://www.njcedv.org/privacy-confidentiality/ New Jersey]''' |yes<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.njcedv.org/privacy-confidentiality/|title=Privacy & Confidentiality|date=2015-09-08|work=NJCEDV|access-date=2018-02-07|language=en-US}}</ref>||no info |no info |no info |1 (877) 218-9133<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nj.gov/dcf/women/domestic/dvawarenessmonth.html|title=DCF - State of New Jersey}}</ref> |- |'''[https://www.sos.state.nm.us/safe-at-home/ New Mexico]''' |yes - absentee||no info |no info |no info |1-800-477-3632<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sos.state.nm.us/Voter_Information/cap-q-a.aspx|title=CAP Q & A|website=www.sos.state.nm.us|access-date=2018-02-07}}</ref> |- |'''[https://dos.ny.gov/address-confidentiality New York]''' |yes||yes |yes |yes |(855) 350-4595<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dos.ny.gov/acp/contact.html|title=Contact ACP|last=|first=|date=|website=www.dos.ny.gov|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208153747/http://www.dos.ny.gov:80/acp/contact.html |archive-date=2012-12-08 |access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref> |- |'''[https://ncdoj.gov/public-protection/address-confidentiality-program/ North Carolina]''' |yes||yes |yes |yes |(919) 716-6785<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncdoj.gov/Help-for-Victims/Domestic-Violence-Victims/Address-Confidentiality-Program.aspx|title=Address Confidentiality Program|website=www.ncdoj.gov|access-date=2018-02-08}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |- |'''[https://www.sos.state.oh.us/secretary-office/office-initiatives/safe-at-home/ Ohio]''' |yes||yes |yes |yes |(614) 995-2255<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sos.state.oh.us/globalassets/publications/agency/safeathome.pdf|title=Safe at Home - Victims - Ohio Secretary of State|last=|first=|date=|website=www.sos.state.oh.us|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007041409/https://www.sos.state.oh.us/globalassets/publications/agency/safeathome.pdf |archive-date=2019-10-07 |access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref> |- |'''[http://www.oag.ok.gov/address-confidentiality-program-acp Oklahoma]''' |yes - absentee||yes |yes |yes |(866) 227-7784<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.oag.ok.gov/address-confidentiality-program-acp|title=Address Confidentiality Program (ACP)|work=Oklahoma Attorney General|access-date=2018-02-08|language=en}}</ref> |- |'''[https://www.doj.state.or.us/crime-victims/victims-resources/victims-services/address-confidentiality-program-acp/ Oregon]''' |yes||yes |yes |yes |503-373-1323<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.doj.state.or.us/crime-victims/victims-resources/victims-services/address-confidentiality-program-acp/|title=Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) - Oregon Department of Justice|work=Oregon Department of Justice|access-date=2018-02-08|language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''[https://www.ova.pa.gov/SafetyandSupport/Address%20Confidentiality/Pages/default.aspx Pennsylvania]''' |yes||yes |yes |yes |1.800.563.6399<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.paacp.pa.gov/GettingtoKnowACP/FAQs/Pages/default.aspx|title=ACP FAQs|website=www.paacp.pa.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2018-02-11}}</ref> |- |'''[https://www.sos.ri.gov/AddressConfidentialityProgram Rhode Island]''' |yes||no||no |no |1-877-218-9133<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.njcedv.org/privacy-confidentiality/|title=Privacy & Confidentiality|date=2015-09-08|work=NJCEDV|access-date=2018-02-11|language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''[https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/cvs/the-address-confidentiality-program-acp Texas]''' |yes - by mail||yes |yes |yes |1-888-832-2322 <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/crime-victims/services-crime-victims/address-confidentiality-program|title=Crime Victims - The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP)|last=|first=|date=|website=www.texasattorneygeneral.gov|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225184151/https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/crime-victims/services-crime-victims/address-confidentiality-program |archive-date=2018-12-25 |access-date=2018-02-11}}</ref> |- |Utah |yes |yes |yes |yes |(801) 538-1600 |- |'''[https://sos.vermont.gov/secretary-of-state-services/safe-at-home Vermont]''' |yes - absentee||yes |yes |yes |802-828-0586<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sec.state.vt.us/safe-at-home.aspx|title=Safe at Home {{!}} Home {{!}} Vermont Secretary of State|website=www.sec.state.vt.us|language=en|access-date=2018-02-13|archive-date=2018-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213195130/https://www.sec.state.vt.us/safe-at-home.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |'''[https://www.oag.state.va.us/programs-initiatives/domestic-violence/address-confidentiality-program Virginia]''' |yes - limited confidentiality<ref>{{Citation |last=Miyares |first=Jason S. |title=Address Confidentiality Program: Frequently Asked Questions |url=https://www.oag.state.va.us/files/DomesticViolence/ACP/ACP-FAQs-Jan-2022.pdf |publisher=Commonwealth of Virginia Office of the Attorney General}}</ref> |yes |yes |yes |804-786-2071<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oag.state.va.us/programs-initiatives/domestic-violence/address-confidentiality-program|title=Attorney General of Virginia|website=www.oag.state.va.us|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-02-12}}</ref> |- |'''[https://www.sos.wa.gov/acp/ Washington]''' |yes||yes |yes |yes |(360) 753-2972<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/acp/|title=Address Confidentiality Program - Washington Secretary of State|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref> |- |'''[https://ovsjg.dc.gov/acp Washington, D.C.]''' |yes||yes |yes |yes |(844) 443-5732<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ovsjg.dc.gov/acp|title=Address Confidentiality Program|access-date=2023-03-28}}</ref> |- |'''[https://sos.wv.gov/admin-law/Pages/ACP.aspx West Virginia]''' |yes||yes |yes |yes |1-866-767-8683<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sos.wv.gov/public-services/acp/Pages/acp.aspx|title=Address Confidentiality Program|website=sos.wv.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2018-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213135407/https://sos.wv.gov/public-services/acp/Pages/acp.aspx|archive-date=2018-02-13|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |'''[https://www.doj.state.wi.us/ocvs/safe-home Wisconsin]''' |yes - separate application<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.doj.state.wi.us/ocvs/voting|title=Voting {{!}} Wisconsin Department of Justice|website=www.doj.state.wi.us|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref>||yes |yes |yes |(608) 266-6613<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.doj.state.wi.us/ocvs/safe-home|title=Safe At Home {{!}} Wisconsin Department of Justice|website=www.doj.state.wi.us|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref> |}
==Bank accounts and address confidentiality== The rules implementing the Bank Secrecy Act require a financial institution to implement a Customer Identification Program that includes procedures that enable it to form a reasonable belief that it knows the true identity of its customers. The rules also require that a financial institution obtain a residential or business street address from each customer. Unfortunately, the substitute address under an Address Confidentiality Program does not meet the standards.
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a letter ruling to help the situation. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network regulations also allow: "If the individual customer does not have a residential or business street address, then the rules permit the individual customer to provide a "residential or business street address of next of kin or of another contact individual."
In FIN-2009-R003, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network found: "A customer who participates in a state-created ACP shall be treated as not having a residential or business street address and a secretary of state, or other state entity serving as a designated agent of the customer consistent with the terms of the ACP, will act as another contact individual for the purpose of complying with FinCEN's rules. Therefore, a financial institution should collect the street address of the ACP sponsoring agency for purposes of meeting its CIP address requirement."
==Coronavirus disease 2020==
On September 23, 2020, the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom signed executive order '''[https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/9.23.20-EO-N-80-20-COVID-19-text.pdf N-80-20] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215154001/https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/9.23.20-EO-N-80-20-COVID-19-text.pdf |date=2020-12-15 }}''' allowing local health officers and public health officials access to the state's Safe at Home program, due to their being "subject to threats and other harassment, including threats and harassment targeted at their places of residence, which threatens to chill the performance of their critical duties."<ref>{{cite web |title=AP20:088 Governor Newsom Signs Executive Order to Make Safe at Home Program Available for Public Health Officials :: California Secretary of State |url=https://www.sos.ca.gov/administration/news-releases-and-advisories/2020-news-releases-and-advisories/ap20088-governor-newsom-signs-executive-order-make-safe-home-program-available-public-health-officials |website=www.sos.ca.gov |publisher=Secretary of State of California |access-date=16 December 2020}}</ref>
==See also== * Domestic violence * Outline of domestic violence
==Notes== {{reflist|group=note}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Cite web |url=http://www.ncsl.org/programs/cyf/dvsurvive.htm |title=Information on Address Confidentiality Programs at the National Conference of State Legislatures |access-date=2007-04-09 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090429231034/http://www.ncsl.org/programs/cyf/dvsurvive.htm |archive-date=2009-04-29 |url-status=dead }} * Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ruling [https://web.archive.org/web/20100401070103/http://www.fincen.gov/statutes_regs/guidance/pdf/fin-2009-r003.pdf FIN-2009-R003 "Customer Identification Program Rule – Address Confidentiality Programs"] (PDF file), November 3, 2009
Category:United States criminal law Category:Privacy Category:Domestic violence Category:Rape in the United States