ACP is designed to help people who fear for their safety maintain a confidential address. Passed by legislature in 1991, ACP is used as part of an overall safety plan to prevent perpetrators from locating participants through public records such as driver licenses, voter registries and marriage records.
ACP provides services that work best as part of an overall safety plan. ACP provides a substitute address for eligible individuals and their household members. This address can be used on new records with government agencies and the courts. ACP also provides confidential mail forwarding services that includes acting as a legal agent for services of process. In addition, we protect two normally public records - voting and marriage.
- Do I Qualify?
- How to Apply
New participants receive an authorization card with a substitute address to use when creating new public records with state and local government agencies. Participants are certified for four years unless they withdraw from the program or are cancelled.
- Participant Responsibilities
- Using Your Substitute Address
- Voter Registration
- Updating ACP Information
- Purchasing a Home
- Forms
- Newsletters
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ACP relies on the expertise of advocates located throughout the state to assist applicants. Applicants can meet with advocates who have been designated as an Application Assistant (AA) to apply for the program.
- What is an Application Assistant?
- Application Assistant Eligibility
- Role of the Application Assistant
- How do I become a Certified Application Assistant
- Request for training and materials
- Videos for Advocates
Pursuant toRCW 40.24.050, state and local agencies, law enforcement, and the courts shall use the ACP designated address as the participants address when creating a new public record. ACP participants must request the agency use of the designated 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 legal agent for participants and accepts any summons, writ, notice, demand or process on behalf of the programparticipant (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
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
Applicable State Laws
Applicable Federal Laws
ACP Exemptions
- Exemption Determination 92-1
- Exemption Determination 2017-1
- 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 junk 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
