📋 Your Information
Fill in before your appointment. Keep this page private.
State & Program
State:
Program name:
Program phone:
Appointment Details
Advocate/organization:
Appointment date:
Appointment time:
Location/phone:
🔒 After Approval
Fill in when card arrives. Keep this page private.
Authorization Card
Substitute address:
Authorization number:
Expiration date:
Renewal due (90 days before):
Set a calendar reminder for 90 days before your expiration date right now.
📄 Documents to Gather Before Your Appointment
None of these are required in most states — but having what you have ready speeds the process.
- Valid state-issued ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Proof of current state residency if your ID shows a different state (utility bill, lease, bank statement)
- Active protective order, restraining order, or emergency protective order (EPO) — if you have one Priority
- Police report or incident report (any date) — if available
- Medical records related to domestic violence, assault, or stalking — if available
- Letter or documentation from a shelter, counselor, or advocate — if available
- Your current real home address written down (for forwarding records — kept confidential)
- Contact information for your advocate or the person helping you
- Any pending court case numbers where you may need to file an address change after approval
🏁 After Approval: Record Update Checklist
Work through these in order. DMV first — updated ID makes every subsequent update easier.
Priority Updates (Do First)
- DMV: Driver's license & vehicle registration update
- Voter registration: Re-register with substitute address
- Active court cases: File notice of address change in each open case
- State benefit programs: SNAP, Medicaid, housing assistance
- Employer HR / payroll: Update for W-2 and direct deposit
Secondary Updates
- Bank accounts and credit cards
- Health insurance provider
- School enrollment records (children)
- Professional license (verify your licensing board accepts substitute address)
- Utilities (electric, gas, water)
- Any pending federal benefit programs (SSI, SSDI, VA)
📅 Timeline Tracker
Applied
Application submitted by advocate
Authorization card received
DMV updated
Voter reg. updated
Court records updated
All records updated
Renewal reminder set
📌 What to Do While You Wait (Processing Period)
- Do not update DMV or other records until your authorization card arrives — use the card as proof of enrollment
- Avoid filing a USPS mail forwarding order from your old address to your new home address — use your substitute address instead once enrolled
- For packages and deliveries during waiting period: use a trusted person's address or a UPS Store mailbox
- If you have active court proceedings, notify your attorney that you have applied for ACP and will be filing an address change upon approval
- Ask your Application Assistant about emergency processing if you have an active EPO or immediate safety need
📞 Key Contacts
- State ACP program:
- My Application Assistant:
- Local DV hotline:
National resources:
National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741