Safety, Crime, Reentry & Legal Help · Surprise rank #407
Hiding From an Abuser? Use a Substitute Address on Government Records
New York’s Address Confidentiality Program gives eligible people a substitute mailing address so their actual home, work or school location can stay out of many public-facing records.
Who
Eligible New York victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault or human trafficking and certain immediate family members, plus qualifying reproductive-health providers, workers, volunteers, patients and family members.
What to do
Start here: Apply through the New York Department of State ACP page online or by the available paper submission methods.
Eligibility: You must meet an eligible victim/family or reproductive-health category and complete the state application requirements.
What you get
ACP supplies a legal substitute address and forwards first-class, certified and registered mail to your actual confidential address at no charge.
Benefit: A substitute address accepted by New York state and local agencies plus free forwarding of qualifying mail.
Possible value: No direct cash payment; the value is location privacy and reduced risk of an abuser or harasser finding a confidential address through government records.
Good to know
Important: State and local agencies generally must accept the substitute address, but private businesses are not automatically required to do so. Participation lasts four years unless renewed or changed.
Availability: Active
Why people miss it: People often think address confidentiality requires changing identity or moving again; New York has a formal substitute-address program specifically for this risk.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026