Address Confidentiality Programs by State

An Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) is a state-administered program that provides eligible individuals, typically survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking, with a legal substitute address. Mail sent to the substitute address is forwarded privately to the participant's actual residence, keeping the real location confidential on public records like voter registration, DMV, and court filings.

A ghost address is an informal term for a substitute mailing address. A state Address Confidentiality Program may provide one to eligible participants, but eligibility, cost, accepted records, and forwarding rules vary by program. Many programs serve survivors of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or trafficking, while some jurisdictions cover additional roles through separate laws or programs. If you qualify, apply through the administering agency in the directory above. If you do not qualify, a private mailbox or PO Box may help with correspondence but does not create the same legal confidentiality protections. An ACP also does not automatically remove a home address already copied by a data broker; those are separate provider requests.

This directory snapshot currently lists 44 jurisdictions (43 states plus the District of Columbia). The source reference used for the snapshot lists these jurisdictions as having no program like the referenced Safe at Home model: Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Wyoming. That is not a determination that no other address-protection or redaction route exists. Confirm current rules, eligibility, and scope with the relevant agency.

ACP enrollment and data-broker requests address different layers. An ACP may provide a substitute address or confidentiality treatment for specified records, while a broker request addresses that provider's own copy. Coverage, accepted records, eligibility, and exceptions vary by program; neither route guarantees that every public or private copy changes.

Varies by state and by program. Many ACPs were designed for survivors of domestic violence or stalking. Some jurisdictions also protect judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, election workers, or other roles through an ACP or a separate address-confidentiality statute. Check the current eligibility rules for the specific program.

No. You generally must apply through the administering agency or an approved process, with the evidence and assistance that program requires. Processing, enrollment documents, substitute-address rules, and training vary by jurisdiction; confirm the current requirements before sending sensitive records.

Potentially, but only within the program's stated scope. An ACP does not automatically remove a private broker's existing copy. Use the provider's current privacy or opt-out route and cite a privacy law only when it applies. OfflistMe can prepare reviewable requests for recorded workflows; you choose, review, and send them.

Contact the administering agency in your state or a qualified local advocate to confirm the current application route. Programs differ on whether an application assistant, supporting evidence, an interview, a fee, or a substitute address is required. Do not assume a processing window or that one address can be used for every record.

Supporting evidence varies by program and situation. A program may describe acceptable items such as a police report, protective order, court record, advocate statement, or other proof, but do not assume one document is enough. Contact the administering agency before sending sensitive material and ask about secure submission and redaction.

Sometimes, within the program's stated scope. Ask the administering agency which voter, licensing, court, mail, utility, employer, or other records accept the substitute address and what exceptions apply. Mail-forwarding and use rules differ by program; enrollment does not rewrite every existing record.