Agencies and Businesses | WA Secretary of State

The purpose of the ACP is to enable state and local agencies to respond for requests for public records without disclosing the actual location of the program participant.

State and Local Government

Pursuant of RCW 40.24.050, a program participant may request Washington state and local agencies, law enforcement and the courts to use his or her designated Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) address. When creating or modifying a new public record, state and local government agencies shall accept the address designated by the secretary of state as a participant's home, work, or school address unless the secretary has determined that:

The agency has a bona fide statutory or administrative requirement for the use of the address which would otherwise be confidential; and The address will be used only for statutory administrative purposes

Sample ACP Authorization Card

Schools

Public schools are required to accept and use the substitute address as the legal address of an Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) household when presented with an ACP authorization card. All student records must show only the ACP substitute address. The location of the actual residence is not permitted. Schools are encouraged to contact ACP to verify that the household is actively enrolled in the ACP Program.

The ACP participant is provided a letter to share with the school on how to implement the ACP substitute address on school records. This letter can be kept in the student's file. Schools are also allowed to make a copy of the authorization card for the student's file.

The ACP participant is instructed to provide the school with emergency contact information for the child(ren). If a participant requests transportation, the parent or guardian must provide the drop-off and pick-up location. ACP is not an emergency contact.

The ACP accepts First-Class mail.

School District Eligibility

After a request from the family or the school, ACP will send a letter verifying the assigned schools and school district based on the residential address ACP has on file for the household. The verification letter will be mailed to the ACP participant and should be shared with the district or school; however, a copy of the letter cannot be copied or placed in the student's file.

Sample ACP Authorization Card

Banks

A ruling (FIN-2009-R003) by the United States Department of Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), issued on November 3, 2009, allows financial institutions to use the street address of the ACP sponsoring agency instead of the participant's substitute address. Contact the ACP for more information.

Sample ACP Authorization Card

Private Businesses

Washington Businesses can play an important role in preventing the exchange and sale of confidential address information by agreeing to accept a participant’s substitute address. The office of secretary of state forwards all First-Class mail from any business to the program participant. Private businesses are not required to accept the substitute address.

Sample ACP Authorization Card

Service of Process

The Secretary of State serves as the participant's legal agent for service of process. Staff may accept service on behalf of the program participant (WAC 434-840-080).

Service of process by mail:

Participant Name
PO Box 257 PMB XXXX
Olympia WA 98507-0257

Service of process in-person:

Secretary of State Office
416 Sid Snyder Ave SW
Olympia WA 98504

Please include the participant’s name, PMB, and a check or money order for $25.00 made out to the Office of the Secretary of State. Please mark the outside of the envelope that contains the documents to be served with "Service of Process". This ensures the proper tracking of the service received.

Addressing Mail

The following mail format is recommended for timely forwarding of participant mail:

Full Name
PMB ##### (ACP Authorization Code number)
PO Box 257
Olympia, WA 98507-0257

Full Name
PO Box 257 PMB #####
Olympia, WA 98507-0257

**Any mail sent to an ACP participant that is not addressed with their full name, PMB number, and PO Box 257 will most likely be returned to the sender.

FAQs

Q: Can agencies verify ACP participant status?

A: Yes. Agencies are encouraged to ask for, and make a copy of, a participant’s ACP Authorization Card. They can also call the ACP at (360) 753-2972 to confirm their status. The ACP will not release any other information about a participant other than their status in the program.

Q: Can agencies make a copy of the ACP Authorization Card?

A: Yes. Agencies are encouraged to make a copy of a participant’s ACP Authorization Card.

Q: Must state and local government agencies accept the substitute address reflected on an ACP Authorization Card?

A: Yes, with very few exceptions. State, and local government agencies must accept the ACP substitute address when presented a valid ACP authorization card. They cannot require a participant to disclose their actual address.

Q: Can ACP participants receive registered mail or subpoenas?

A: Yes. The ACP accepts personal and legal mail. The ACP can receive such mail on behalf of a participant and forward it to them. This is treated as a participant receiving the mail.

Sample ACP Authorization Card