Protects Document Confidentiality
The New York Department of State (NYDOS) formally announced New York State’s Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), an initiative that is being offered at no cost to participants that enables victims of domestic violence the opportunity to shield their actual addresses from their abusers.
Participants are assigned a substitute address, maintained by the Department of State, which they would then use for receipt of all first-class, registered and certified mail. The NYDOS then forwards any correspondence to the victim’s actual mailing address.
The program is available to victims of domestic violence who have had to relocate or are planning to relocate to a new address for personal safety reasons. Other individuals living in the same household as the victims, such as children, parents, or siblings may also be eligible to participate. State and local governments must accept the substitute address.
“The Address Confidentiality Program is another tool that victims of domestic violence can utilize in their overall plans to stay safe,” said New York Secretary of State Cesar A. Perales. “This simple, yet important, process will help eligible individuals stay on top of important correspondence and communications without fearing for their safety or having to look over their shoulder. We encourage everyone to fa- miliarize themselves with the ACP and bring it to the attention of those who may benefit from it as we fight domestic violence and keep citizens of New York State safe.”
Program participants are provided with an identification card that will contain his or her name, a unique ACP identification number and the substitute address, which is a Post Office box. The card also indicates the expiration date for the program member, who will be enrolled for four years and can reapply after that time if they need to continue in the ACP.
The ACP address may be used for court and government records, such as court petitions, driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, traffic tickets, applications for services such as public assistance or Medicaid, unemployment insurance, school records, library cards and much more.
For more information on New York State’s Address Confidentiality Program, or to access application forms, go to www.dos.nyc.gov/acp or call toll-free at 1-855-350-4595.
