Family & Safety

The Illinois Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) is a program offered through the Illinois Attorney General’s office. This program works with survivors of domestic violence, Harm by one household or family member against another household or family member. Harm may be an emotional, mental, or physical injury sexual assault, When a person commits an act of sexual penetration by force or threat of force. Done without the consent of the victim. This includes when the victim cannot give consent. human trafficking, Involves the use of force or coercion to make someone participate in forced labor or a commercial sex act, or luring them into participating if they are under 18. or stalking When a person follows someone, watches them outside their home or office, or tells them things they observed them doing to provide a substitute address they can use instead of their real home, work, or school address. It is also a mail forwarding system, where mail sent to the substitute address is sent to the survivor’s real address.

By using this substitute address, the ACP aims to prevent abusers and perpetrators from locating the survivors.

Any adult Any person 18 years old or over who is a survivor of domestic violence, Harm by one household or family member against another household or family member. Harm may be an emotional, mental, or physical injury sexual assault, When a person commits an act of sexual penetration by force or threat of force. Done without the consent of the victim. This includes when the victim cannot give consent. human trafficking, Involves the use of force or coercion to make someone participate in forced labor or a commercial sex act, or luring them into participating if they are under 18. or stalking When a person follows someone, watches them outside their home or office, or tells them things they observed them doing and who fears for their safety is able to enroll in the Address Confidentiality Program.  All participants must be physically located in Illinois or moving there soon. 

A parent or guardian acting on behalf of a minor A person under 18 years old or person with a disability A substantial impairment that functionally limits a person in carrying out major life activities, such as walking, lifting, seeing, or learning. may apply if they are a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or stalking. The parent or guardian must also fear for the safety of the minor or person with a disability.

It is strongly recommended that all members of the household also participate.

If enrolled in the Address Confidentiality Program, participants can use the substitute address to create or update public records such as driver’s licenses or state identification cards. The substitute address can also be used for personal use, like bills, cards, and letters. The ACP will forward this mail to the participant’s real address.

However, junk mail and magazines will not be forwarded.  For security and safety reasons, packages, medicine, and medical supplies will also not be forwarded. Instructions on alternative arrangements for packages can be given.

While only state and local government agencies are required to accept this substitute address, private businesses, and entities can do so if they want to.

No. The Address Confidentiality Program is free to participate in.

No, the Address Confidentiality Program cannot remove or delete records that already exist. This program is most effectively used when the survivor moves to a new address, which can then be protected.

To apply to the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), the survivor can go to the Illinois Attorney General’s website. There is an ACP online application form that can be submitted electronically and a PDF that can be filled out, printed, and submitted.

An Address Confidentiality Program participant can use the program for four years and renew at the end of that time. The participant can leave the program at any time. If the participant moves, they should notify the program of their new address before moving. If the move is sudden, the participant should notify the program as soon as possible to prevent their mail from being forwarded to the old address. 

Learn more about the Address Confidentiality Program at the Illinois Attorney General’s website.  You can also call (844) 916-0295 or email [email protected].  Program brochures are available in English and Spanish.

The Illinois Address Confidentiality for Victims of Domestic Violence, Harm by one household or family member against another household or family member. Harm may be an emotional, mental, or physical injury Sexual Assault, When a person commits an act of sexual penetration by force or threat of force. Done without the consent of the victim. This includes when the victim cannot give consent.  Human Trafficking, Involves the use of force or coercion to make someone participate in forced labor or a commercial sex act, or luring them into participating if they are under 18. or Stalking When a person follows someone, watches them outside their home or office, or tells them things they observed them doing Act can be found at 750 ILCS 61/.