Arkansas Confidentiality Program: A Safety Tool for Domestic Violence Survivors
For survivors of domestic violence, safety planning often means thinking through details that other people may take for granted: where mail is delivered, what address appears on public records, what information is available through government databases, and whether an abuser may be able to locate a survivor after separation.
One important protection available in Arkansas is the Address Confidentiality Program, often called the ACP. This program allows certain domestic violence survivors and their dependents to use a post office box address on their Arkansas driver’s license or identification card instead of displaying their residential address.
At Leslie Copeland Law, we frequently work with clients who are trying to leave unsafe relationships, obtain orders of protection, protect their children, and rebuild stability. The Address Confidentiality Program is not a complete safety plan by itself, but it can be a valuable layer of protection.
What Is the Arkansas Address Confidentiality Program?
The Arkansas Address Confidentiality Program is administered by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Driver Services. The program allows eligible participants to receive a driver’s license or identification card that displays a post office box instead of the participant’s home address.
This matters because a driver’s license or ID is used often: at schools, medical offices, banks, government offices, landlords’ offices, and other places where a person may have to show identification. For a survivor who is trying to keep their location private, reducing the number of places where their residential address appears can be very important.
Participants may also provide a secret word or PIN for their driver’s license or ID account. This is intended to help prevent someone else from making unauthorized changes to the participant’s record.
Who Qualifies?
Under Arkansas law, a person may qualify for the Address Confidentiality Program if they are a victim of domestic violence or the dependent of a victim of domestic violence.
To participate, the person must generally:
Have a valid Order of Protection issued under the Domestic Abuse Act of 1991;
Complete the Address Confidentiality Program affidavitploads/ACP_Affidavit-2.pdf;
State that they are a victim of domestic violence, a dependent of a victim, or fear further acts of domestic violence;
Agree to the terms of participation in the program; and
Provide DFA with both the residential address and the P.O. Box address.
The residential address is still provided to the Department of Finance and Administration, but it is kept on file rather than displayed on the driver’s license or ID card.
What Does the Program Actually Do?
The ACP allows the participant’s Arkansas driver’s license or identification card to show a P.O. Box instead of their residential street address.
That can help reduce the risk of an abuser finding a survivor’s home address through ordinary identification-related situations.
However, it is important to understand what the program does not do. It does not automatically remove a person’s address from every public record, court filing, lease, utility account, voter registration record, school record, or online people-search website. Survivors may need a broader safety plan that addresses multiple places where an address may appear.
Can DFA Ever Release the Residential Address?
Yes, but Arkansas law limits when DFA may disclose the residential address of someone participating in the program.
Generally, DFA may only disclose the residential address to someone who presents a current and valid Arkansas court order finding a compelling reason for access to the address, presents valid identification, and is not the person who committed domestic violence or related by blood or marriage to that person.
DFA must also keep a record of each person to whom the address is disclosed and provide written notice to the ACP participant if the address is disclosed.
Why This Matters in Domestic Violence Cases
For many survivors, leaving the relationship is one of the most dangerous periods. An order of protection is important, but an order alone may not prevent an abuser from trying to locate the survivor.
The Address Confidentiality Program may be especially helpful when a survivor:
Has obtained an order of protection;
Has moved or plans to move;
Is concerned the abuser may try to locate them through records or identification documents;
Needs to present identification frequently for work, school, housing, medical care, or child-related matters; or
Wants to reduce the number of places where their home address is visible.
This can also be relevant when children are involved. If a parent is fleeing domestic violence, keeping the residential address confidential may be part of a broader plan involving school records, custody orders, exchange locations, communication boundaries, and safety provisions.
Practical Steps to Consider
If you believe you may qualify for the Address Confidentiality Program, you should consider the following steps:
First, make sure you have a valid order of protection. The ACP is tied to the existence of a valid order of protection under Arkansas law.
Second, complete the DFA Address Confidentiality Program affidavit. The form asks for identifying information, the residential address, the P.O. Box address to be displayed, and optional account security information such as a secret word or PIN.
Third, keep your address information updated. Participants must update both their residential address and their post office box address with DFA if either changes.
Fourth, think beyond your driver’s license. If safety is a concern, it may also be necessary to consider court filings, school records, medical records, lease documents, utilities, voter registration, vehicle registration, online directories, social media, and communications with the other party.
Finally, talk with an attorney or advocate about a comprehensive safety plan. The Address Confidentiality Program can be helpful, but it works best as one part of a larger strategy.
Address Confidentiality and Family Law Cases
In family law cases involving domestic violence, address confidentiality can come up in several ways. A survivor may need to request that their address be protected in court filings or ask that exchanges occur at a safe public location. Parenting communication may need to be limited to a monitored platform. Court orders may need specific language about no-contact provisions, school access, third-party communication, and restrictions on disclosing a protected address.
These details matter. A generic order may not be enough when safety is at issue.
Leslie Copeland Law Can Help
If you are dealing with domestic violence, an order of protection, custody issues, or safety concerns related to your address, you do not have to navigate the process alone.
Leslie Copeland Law helps clients in Northwest Arkansas with family law matters, orders of protection, custody cases, and related safety planning. We can help you understand your legal options and develop a plan that protects both your rights and your safety.
If you need help with an order of protection, custody case, or related family law matter, contact Leslie Copeland Law to schedule a consultation.
This post is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading this post does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you are experiencing domestic violence, consider contacting local law enforcement, a domestic violence shelter, or a trusted advocate for immediate safety assistance.