Address Con­fi­den­tial­i­ty Program

If you've been the victim of family violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or stalking, we can help you keep your address confidential.

How the Address Confidentiality Program Works

The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) provides a substitute post office box address and mail forwarding service.

This helps prevent your actual address from being revealed in state government documents and files while still allowing you to receive and send mail. You can use this substitute P.O. box instead of your actual address on forms, such as driver's license, voter registration and school registration.

The ACP doesn't guarantee safety, and it's not a witness protection program, but it's a helpful part of an overall safety strategy.

Note: Nongovernmental organizations, such as banks and private utilities, are not required to accept this substitute address. But if you describe why you use it, some of these organizations may do so.

Who Is Eligible?

The Address Confidentiality Program is offered to victims of:

• Family violence
• Sexual assault
• Human trafficking
• Stalking
• Child Abduction

How to Apply

To apply to the Address Confidentiality Program, you must complete an application and can do so by:

• Meeting with a victim’s assistance counselor from a state or local agency or other organization that provides shelter or legal services to eligible victims,

• Completing an application on your own and providing a copy of:
  • A protective order or temporary injunction in place, or
  • Possess documentation of family violence, sexual assault or stalking

  When you complete the application, you are designating the attorney general to receive mail on behalf of the victim and all family members who reside with the victim.

  Apply by mail:

  Find a Local Advocate

  Family Violence
  For family violence centers near you, visit the Texas Council on Family Violence. You can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at: (800) 799-SAFE (7233).

  Sexual Assault
  For sexual assault centers near you, visit the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault. You can also call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at: (800) 656-HOPE (4673).

  What Happens When Your Application Is Approved

  You will receive an authorization card from the Address Confidentiality Program that includes your substitute post office box address. You can use this address to receive first-class mail and legal documents.

  All first-class mail and legal documents will be promptly forwarded to your physical address. Mail such as magazines, catalogs and packages (including medical prescriptions) will not be forwarded.

  You must renew participation every three (3) years.

  Change of Name or Address

  You must notify the Address Confidentiality Program of any name and/or address change at least ten (10) days prior to avoid withdrawal from the program. We'll provide forms to do this.

  Common Topics and Questions

  When May Participation Be Canceled?

  Your participation in the ACP may be canceled for any of the following reasons:

  • You knowingly make false statements on the ACP application
  • Your forwarded mail is returned as "undeliverable" at least four (4) times
  • The name and/or residential address is changed and ACP isn't notified at least ten (10) days in advance

  If your participation is canceled, the Office of the Attorney General will send written notification and appeal information to you.

  When Will Your Address Be Revealed?

  By law, the Office of the Attorney General must reveal your residential/business/school address if ordered by a court or requested by:

  • A law enforcement agency for an investigation
  • The Department of Family and Protective Services for an investigation
  • The Department of State Health Services for making an official notification

  The OAG may also disclose the true address if:

  • The participant consents to the disclosure
  • The disclosure is necessary to administer the program

  How Do I Register to Vote?

  You're entitled to register to vote — and receive mail ballots — through your ACP post office box address.

  You can learn more about voting by visiting the Secretary of State online or by phone: (800) 252-VOTE (8683).

  Can I Use My ACP Address on My Driver’s License?

  To use your ACP on your driver's license, you must visit your local Texas Department of Public Safety's driver's license office in person to request a change of address and to present your ACP authorization card.

  How Do I Use My ACP Address for School Registration?

  If you choose not to disclose your actual residential address to a school district or open-enrollment charter school, an alternate method must be used to verify a child's eligibility for enrollment and services in that district/school.

  As a participant in ACP, you must consult with an appropriate school/district administrator to discuss these matters. You can access a "Guidance and Affidavit" document on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website that will help guide you through this process.

  Public schools routinely designate certain student info — including names and addresses — as "directory information," which is available to the public. You can object to the release of this information. Contact the Texas Education Agency online or by phone for help: (512) 463-9734.

  Information for Advocates

  If you're a victim advocate and want to help your clients enroll in the Address Confidential Program, here's what you need to know:

  • You should request training before assisting applicants in applying for the ACP. Once you've received training, you can train others in your organization.
  • An advocate can request training from the ACP directly at 888-832-2322 or email [email protected] .