In December 2020, Governor Whitmer signed the Address Confidentiality Program Act, 301 of 2020. The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) was created to provide certain protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or those who fear that disclosure of their physical address will increase the risk of harm.
ACP is a statewide confidentiality program administered by the Michigan Department of Attorney General. ACP operates to shield a program participant’s actual physical address by providing an official designated/substitute address and free mail forwarding service.
For anyone who is at an increased risk of physical harm or threats – including the victims of stalking, domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking – the fear of being found by their perpetrator can be overwhelming.
The Address Confidentiality Program will help victims of violent crimes, and individuals at risk of being threatened or physically harmed, keep their address confidential.
The Program (ACP) was created to conceal the addresses of victims of stalking, domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and of individuals at risk of being threatened or physically harmed from being located by their perpetrators through public records.
ACP provides victims with a designated (substitute) address that can be used instead of their real address. The designated address can be used by governmental entities, employers, schools, or institutions of higher education, whenever an address is required by public agencies. Private companies are not required by law to use the designated (substitute) address; however, program participants can request they use it.
ACP provides a free mail forwarding service. All first-class, certified, and registered mail sent to the designated (substitute) address will be processed and forwarded to the participant’s real/confidential address. This service does not forward 3rd class mail or packages.
ACP is not a witness protection program. ACP should be a part of an overall safety plan.
Step 1: Interested individuals meet with an Application Assistant or Victim Advocate who can: explain the program; determine whether ACP is a good fit; assist with the ACP application; and submits the ACP application.
Step 2: ACP staff reviews application, certifies the participant, and sends out the ACP participant's ID card and ACP handbook.
Step 3: ACP participant changes their address and/or records to the designated (substitute) address.
Step 4: ACP staff forward all first-class, registered, certified mail and process of service to the participant's confidential address, and help participants navigate the Address Confidentiality Program.
Find an Application Assistant or Victim Advocate and Apply to ACP
An individual 18 years of age or older, an emancipated minor, a parent or guardian acting on behalf of a minor or a ward (incapacitated person) must be:
A new email must be created before enrolling in the ACP.
The Department of Attorney General ACP team is experiencing high volumes of phone calls and email correspondence pertaining to the application process. Before completing the online contact request form, please review the following:
We are working diligently to respond to everyone. All correspondence will be answered in the order in which it was received.
In December 2020, Governor Whitmer signed the Address Confidentiality Program Act, Act 301 of 2020. The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) was created to provide certain protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or those who fear that disclosure of their physical address will increase the risk of harm.
ACP operates to shield a program participant’s actual physical address by providing an official designated/substitute address and free mail forwarding service. The participant will receive an ID card to show as proof of participation in the program and a corrected driver’s license or state ID. The designated (substitute) address can be used instead of the program participant’s real address. The designated address can be used by governmental entities, employers, schools, or institutions of higher education, whenever an address is required by public agencies. Private companies are not required by law to use the substitute address; however, program participants can request they use it.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking, or sexual assault, we recommend you reach out to your local victim services organization to discuss safety planning and resources available to you. Local organizations can be found here: Find Services In Your Area. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Individuals are ineligible or cannot be certified for the ACP if:
If you have moved to a different confidential address, you must notify the ACP within 30 days of the change. All address changes must be made through the ACP.
To request a change, submit a Change of Information form to ACP. The form can be submitted electronically or downloaded from our website and mailed to the ACP, 3030 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202.
The Secretary of State (SOS) can only make an address change if your participation in the ACP is canceled.
Unfortunately, the ACP does not provide moving assistance. You may contact a victim services organization for resources. Local organizations can be found here.
How to get a document notarized:
Where to find notary services: City and county clerk's office, banks, credit unions, UPS, FEDEX, your place of employment, colleges, and universities. A list of notaries is also found on the Secretary of State website.
The Application Assistant or Victim Advocate's organization may also have notary services.
The mail sent to the designated address is repackaged and then sent to the confidential address. Participants should expect a 3-5 day delay in mail delivery.
The ACP law does not require private businesses to accept an ACP Participant's designated address. However, private companies or agencies are encouraged to make every effort to keep a participant's information safe by accepting the designated address whenever possible.
