ACP Application Assistant Information

Application Assistant Registration

Applications to become an Application Assistant can be submitted at any time. Upon receipt, the program manager will contact you regarding scheduled trainings.

Program Participant Application

Potential participants in the program must work with a registered Application Assistant to submit an application.

Mail Release Agreement Form

Remember: The Mail Release Agreement form must be included with the Program Participant Application.

What services does the ACP offer?

The program is designed for two purposes:

• To provide a first-class mail forwarding service at no charge to a participant.
• To provide a substitute address for use when interacting with state and local agencies, which will prevent abusers or potential abusers from using public records as a resource to find their victims.

How does the program work?

After an applicant becomes a program participant, they are issued an authorization card. That card has the designated post office box address that is provided by the Secretary of State’s Office. The address on the card becomes their legal mailing address. Their first-class mail will be forward, at no cost, from the Secretary of State’s Office within 5 business days. (Packages, magazines and third-class mail will not be forwarded.) Program participants need to use the authorization card anytime they are doing business with a state or local agency that requests their address for government transactions.

The ACP enables participants to use the substitute address to meet the address requirements for most state and local government agencies. Participants may use the ACP substitute address for:

• West Virginia driver's licenses or ID cards
• Applying for and receiving child support
• Enrolling their children in public school
• Registering to vote and voting

How do you apply?

Participants do not apply directly to the Address Confidentiality Program. Application is made in person at a local domestic violence, sexual assault or victim service program located throughout the state by an approved application assistant. Enrollment of the program participant is good for four years as long as the participant abides by the requirements of the program.
The application process involves meeting with a victim service professional who can help the potential participant determine whether ACP should be a part of the their overall safety plan, explain the program services, explain the potential participant’s responsibilities and assist with the completion of the application materials.

Who must accept the designated address?

Any and all state and local government agencies and the courts of West Virginia must accept the ACP address as a program participant’s address. There are exemptions and exclusions, contact ACP for more information.

Who is eligible for the program?

In order to be eligible a person must:

• Be a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking.
• Have relocated within 30 days or plan to relocate to an address unknown to the perpetrator in the near future.
• Not have created any government records with their new address.
• Be a resident of West Virginia or about to become a resident of West Virginia.
• Be at least 18 years old or a parent or guardian acting on behalf of a minor or incapacitated person.
• Be willing to designate the Secretary of State as their agent to receive legal documents and first-class mail.
• Be able to manage with a possible 5 day mail delay (mail first comes to the Address Confidentiality Program and is then forwarded).

How do you apply?

Participants do not Participants do not apply directly to the Address Confidentiality Program. Application is made in person at a local domestic violence, sexual assault or victim service program located throughout the state by an approved application assistant. Enrollment of the program participant is good for four years as long as the participant abides by the requirements of the program.
The application process involves meeting with a victim service professional who can help the potential participant determine whether ACP should be a part of the their overall safety plan, explain the program services, explain the potential participant’s responsibilities and assist with the completion of the application materials.

Program Participant Application may be downloaded here.

Important Things to Remember:

• By signing the application, the applicant affirms, under penalty of perjury that all of the information on the form is true and accurate, and they have read and understand the checklist of responsibilities.
• Once an application is processed and the applicant becomes a participant, they are issued an authorization card. A participant must present their authorization card to an agency when requesting use of the substitute address.
• The ACP is not a stand-alone program, it is designed to be part of an overall safety plan.
• The ACP does not provide counseling or legal advice.
• The ACP does not allow participants to escape legal obligations.

Who must accept the designated address?

Any and all state and local government agencies and the courts of West Virginia must accept the ACP address as a program participant’s address. There are exemptions and exclusions, contact ACP for more information.

The Address Confidentiality Program is governed by W. Va. Code §48-28A which was passed in to law in 2007.

The Legislative rule, 153CSR37, first became effective on May 6, 2009 and was amended on May 2, 2013.