Address Confidentiality Program (ACP)

ACP provides services that work best as part of a safety plan. ACP provides a substitute address for eligible individuals and their household members. This address can be used on new records with Washington state and local government agencies and the courts. ACP services include mail forwarding and servicing as the participant's agent for services of process. ACP aso protects two usually public records - voting and marriage records.

• Is the ACP Appropriate for Me?
• Do I Qualify? 
• Application Process

All address confidentiality program participants receive the following:

• A substitute address to use with Washington state and local government agencies instead of their home, work or school address
• An ACP authorization card

Participants are certified for four years unless they withdraw from the program or are cancelled.   

• Updating ACP Information
• Participant Forms
• Participant Responsibilities
• Survivor Resources
• Using Your Substitute Address
• Key Information Handbook
• Voter Registration
• Purchasing a Home
• Owning a Business, Nonprofit, or Charity
• Newsletters

ACP depends on the advocacy training of advocates located throughout the state to help those wanting to enroll in the ACP. Interested people meet with an advocate who has been designated as an Application Assistant (AA) to create or review their safety plan and threat assessment before completing and application to apply for the program.

• What is an Application Assistant?
• Find an Application Assistant
• Application Assistant Eligibility
• Role of the Application Assistant
• How do I become a Certified Application Assistant
• Request for training and materials
• Training Dates and Registration

According to RCW 40.24.050, state and local agencies, law enforcement, and the courts shall use the ACP substitute address as the participants residential address when creating a new public record. ACP participants must request the agency use of the substitute address and may use it as their home, work, or school address. 

• State and Local Government
• Schools
• Courts
• Banks
• Private Business
• Addressing Participant Mail
• Agency Exemption Request

The secretary of state is designated as the agent for participants and accepts any summons, writ, notice, demand or process on behalf of the program participant (WAC 434-840-080).

To serve the secretary as an agent for the participant, include two copies and a check or money order for $25.00 made out to "Office of the Secretary of State". The outside envelope should be marked "Service of Process" to ensure proper tracking of receipt.

Service of process by mail:

Address Confidentiality Program
PO Box 257 
Olympia WA 98507-0257

Service of process in-person:

Office of the Secretary of State
c/o ACP with Participant Full Name & PMB#
416 Sid Snyder Ave SW
Olympia WA 98504

Upon receipt of service, a copy will immediately be forwarded to the program participant at their current mailing address.

The ACP is administered by the Office of the Washington Secretary of State. The main governing Laws and Administrative Codes are Chapter 40.24 RCW and Chapter 434-840 WAC. 

ACP Law and Codes

• Chapter 40.24 RCW
• Chapter 434-840 WAC

Applicable State Laws

• RCW 26.09.460
• RCW 26.12.270
• RCW 9A.46.020
• RCW 9A.90.120

Applicable Federal Laws

• U.S. Treasury-Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Ruling

ACP Exemptions

• Exemption Determination 92-1
• Exemption Determination 2017-1
• Exemption Determination 2025-1

How does ACP help keep my information private?

All participant data is classified and maintained as private data by the ACP office. Measures are in place to secure participant data, which is extremely sensitive.

The ACP office will only disclose a participant's real residential address to a third party in response to a valid court order or law enforcement agency request. A formal request from a law enforcement agency is required to be signed by the agency's chief officer*.

*If a participant's abuser is a member of law enforcement then a law enforcement agency would be required to obtain a court order.

Does ACP forward all types of mail?

The ACP forwards all First-Class mail, including registered and certified mail. First-class mail includes all personal mail, bills, cards, letters, etc. The ACP will also forward bank checks. The ACP cannot forward packages, magazines, or marketing mail.

Can ACP participants receive registered mail or subpoenas?

Yes. The ACP accepts personal and legal mail. The ACP can receive such mail on behalf of a participant and forward it to them. This is treated as a participant receiving the mail.

Does enrolling in the ACP keep participants safe?

ACP participation does not guarantee safety. If used correctly, the ACP can be a valuable addition to an overall safety plan. The ACP adds to, and does not substitute for, a comprehensive safety plan.

Must government agencies accept the substitute address on an ACP Authorization Card?

Yes, with very few exceptions. Washington state and local government agencies must accept the ACP substitute address when presented a valid ACP authorization card. They cannot require a participant to disclose their actual address.

Can ACP participants vote?

Yes. ACP participants receive ACP voter registration information and ACP specific voting forms when they enroll. ACP participants should not register to vote online or at any state government office. This includes:

• Department of Licensing
• Department of Social and Health Services
• Health Benefits Exchange Office

Where can I use the ACP substitute address?

All Washington state or local agencies, with few exceptions. Private businesses and federal agencies are not required to accept the ACP substitute address but may work with a participant upon request. 

This includes:

• Voting Registration
• Department of Licensing
• Marriage Records
• Banks
• Public Libraries
• Washington Court System
• Social Services
• Police Departments

Confidential vs. Non-Confidential

Confidential Information

• Actual street address
• Mailing address, if different
• City of residence
• County of residence
• Voting precinct
• Unique identifying information related to a participant's home, work, or school

Non-Confidential Information

• ACP participation status
• A participant's substitute address
• State of residence
• Records created before ACP enrollment
• Information voluntarily provided by the participant to a state or local government agency