Safe at Home Confidential Address Program :: California Secretary of State

California Code of Regulations

Title 2. Administration

Division 7. Secretary of State

Chapter 11. Safe at Home Confidential Address Program

Please note: Under Section 22101.2 Service of Process, the correct mailing address for service by mail should be: P.O. Box 846, Sacramento, CA 95812.

Section 22100 Safe at Home

(a) The confidential address program, established in Chapter 3.1 (commencing with section 6205) and Chapter 3.2 (commencing with section 6215), of the Government Code, and operated by the Secretary of State, shall be known as Safe at Home. Where Chapter 3.1 and 3.2 of the Government Code refer to the Secretary of State, it is the Safe at Home Program within the Office of the Secretary of State that has the authority and responsibility specified therein.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 6209 and 6215.9, Government Code. Reference: Sections 6205, 6205.5, 6206, 6206.4, 6206.5, 6206.7, 6207, 6207.5, 6208, 6208.1, 6208.2, 6208.5, 6209, 6209.5, 6209.7, 6210, 6215, 6215.1, 6215.2, 6215.3, 6215.4, 6215.5, 6215.6, 6215.7, 6215.8, 6215.9, 6215.10, 6215.12 and 6216, Government Code.

Section 22100.1 Enrolling Agencies under Chapter 3.2 (commencing with Section 6215) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code

(a) Designated community-based assistance programs referred to in this chapter and in Chapter 3.2 (commencing with Section 6215) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code shall be known as enrolling agencies. Community-based assistance programs that are eligible to be designated as enrolling agencies are community-based organizations, nonprofits, and state and local government agencies.

(b) To apply to become a designated enrolling agency an eligible community-based assistance program as defined in subdivision (a) shall submit a completed Enrolling Agency Designation Agreement (Revised October 2024), hereby, incorporated by reference, to the Secretary of State every four years. There shall be no application fee for designation as an enrolling agency.

(1) Name of agency or organization;
(2) Administrative address;
(3) Telephone and facsimile numbers;
(4) Printed name and signature of agency/organization director and the date of signature; and
(5) Agree to:

(A) attend a program orientation and training provided by the Secretary of State to assist program participant applicants with the enrollment and application process;
(B) review the application with applicants before forwarding the completed enrollment package and application fees to the Secretary of State within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of a completed enrollment package;
(C) maintain an adequate supply of original application materials provided by the Secretary of State and not make copies of any of the application materials;
(D) respond to applicant request for services for Safe at Home within 14 days; and
(E) fulfill the obligations and responsibilities under Chapter 3.2 (commencing with Section 6215) of the Government Code and this chapter.

(d) The Secretary of State shall review the Enrolling Agency Designation Agreement to determine whether: (1) the community-based assistance organization is eligible under subdivision (a); and (2) all requested information on Enrolling Agency Designation Agreement is complete. If the community-based assistance organization is eligible under subdivision (a) and the Enrolling Agency Designation Agreement is complete, the Secretary of State shall designate the community-based assistance program as an enrolling agency. Within ten (10) business days of actual receipt of an Enrolling Agency Designation Agreement the Secretary of State shall mail a notice to the community-based assistance organization stating whether or not it has been designated as an enrolling agency. Each enrolling agency shall attend a program orientation provided by the Secretary of State prior to counseling program participant applicants.

(e) Representatives of enrolling agencies shall complete training provided by the Safe at Home program prior to assisting program Applicants with the application process. The training shall include instruction on how to assist individuals who wish to participate in the Safe at Home Program as those individuals complete the legally required sections of the Safe at Home Enrollment Application. Training shall also include an explanation of the roles and responsibilities of enrolling agencies, program participants and Safe at Home program staff in the effective administration of the Safe at Home program.

(f) An enrolling agency shall cease to be designated if the Secretary of State receives written notification by an authorized representative of the enrolling agency that it is withdrawing from the program or if the enrolling agency is terminated in accordance with Section 22100.4. Upon the effective date of the termination, the community-based assistance organization shall not represent itself as an enrolling agency and shall return any Safe at Home applications and materials to the Secretary of State within three (3) business days.

Note: Authority cited: Section 6215.9, Government Code. Reference: Sections 6215.2 and 6215.8, Government Code.

Section 22100.2 Program Participant Application and Fees under Chapter 3.2 (commencing with section 6215) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code

(a) To apply to become a program participant, an eligible applicant, or family member of a program participant shall submit a completed Safe at Home Enrollment Application (Rev. 6.2024), hereby incorporated by reference, in accordance with Section 6215.2 of the Government Code. The application fee for a program participant under this chapter is thirty dollars ($30). The application fee is nonrefundable. Reproductive health care services patients and family members of reproductive health care services patients who are program participants shall not be charged an application fee.

(b) In addition to the requirements contained in Section 6215.2 of the Government Code, the Safe at Home Enrollment Application shall include a notice that a person who willfully certifies as true any material matter pursuant to Section 6215.2 of the Government Code which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall require all of the following:

(1) Applicant's first, middle, and last name, date of birth, age, marital status, and sex;
(2) Whether the program participant can sign for and accept legal documents at their residence or mailing address; and
(3) Agree to all of the following provisions:

(A) Safe at Home is a mail forwarding service only. A program participant's mail will first be received at the Secretary of State Safe at Home address in Sacramento before it is forwarded to a program participant's address. This will result in a two-to-three-day delay in receiving mail.
(B) Magazines, packages, catalogs, junk mail or any mail that is not first-class, except mail from governmental agencies, will not be forwarded to a program participant's address.
(C) Mail may not be forwarded to a program participant if it is sent to a name other than the name listed on the Safe at Home Enrollment Application.
(D) Completing an application form using a name other than the program participant's legal name could result in the denial of program privileges at certain agencies if a legal name is required to access their services.
(E) All state and local government agencies must accept a Safe at Home address. Private companies, such as insurance, telephone, and utility, are not obligated to use a program participant's Safe at Home address and may require an actual residential street address.
(F) If the program participant is a United States citizen, the program participant may become a Confidential Voter by filling out the Confidential Affidavit of Registration and Absentee Ballot Application provided with the program participant application. Once a program participant is registered, they shall receive an Absentee Ballot to vote by mail in future elections.
(G) If the program participant purchases property using their own name, the property address location will be listed on the legal description filed with the county assessor's office and available for public inspection upon request.
(H) If the program participant purposefully or accidentally gives their actual residence address to an agency, that agency is not required to keep that address confidential and is not responsible for its release.

(c) All information submitted by an applicant is confidential and shall be treated as such by enrolling agencies. Enrolling agencies shall forward all Safe at Home Enrollment Applications and all attachments thereto to the Secretary of State within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of a completed enrollment package. Enrolling agencies shall not copy, store, or maintain any of the information provided by an applicant as part of the Safe at Home Confidential Address Program, including, but not limited to, applications, attachments, supporting documentation, notes, letters, payment information, and information therein.

(d) Enrolling agencies shall not charge any individual for counseling, application and orientation material, assistance in completing the application, forwarding the application to the Secretary of State, or any other services relating to Safe at Home.

(e) The annual fee for reproductive health care services facilities, providers, employees, and volunteers who are health care professionals is seventy-five dollars ($75). The annual fee is nonrefundable. The annual fee must be received by the Secretary of State no later than five (5) business days after the anniversary date of becoming a program participant. If the annual fee is received by the Secretary of State later than five (5) business days after the anniversary date of becoming a program participant, certification as a program participant shall be terminated in accordance with Section 22100.4. Reproductive health care services patients and family members of reproductive health care services patients who are program participants shall not be charged an annual fee.

Note: Authority cited: Section 6215.9, Government Code. Reference: Section 2166.5, Elections Code; and Sections 6215.2, 6215.5, 6215.6 and 6215.8, Government Code.

Section 22100.3 Program Participant Renewals under Chapter 3.2 (commencing with section 6215) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code

(a) Certification as a program participant shall be for a term of four (4) years, except for reproductive health care services facility volunteers. At least 60 days prior to the four (4) year anniversary date of certification as a program participant, the Secretary of State shall mail a renewal application entitled Notice of Renewal, form SAH-5 (Rev.12.23), hereby incorporated by reference, to each program participant. The Notice of Renewal application and application fee in subdivision (a) of Section 22100.2 must be received by the Secretary of State no later than five (5) business days after the expiration of the four (4) year term. If the Notice of Renewal application and application fee is received by the Secretary of State later than five (5) business days after the expiration of the four (4) year term, the certification as a program participant shall not be renewed.

(b) The Notice of Renewal shall include a notice that a person who willfully certifies as true any material matter pursuant to Section 6215.2 of the Government Code which they know to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall require all of the following information:

(1) Name and program certification number of the primary program participant and minor children who are program participants;
(2) Address or addresses that the program participant request not be disclosed for the reason that disclosure will increase the risk of acts of violence toward the applicant;
(3) Mailing address where the program participant can be contacted by the Secretary of State, and the telephone number or numbers where the program participant can be called by the Secretary of State;
(4) Whether the primary program participant is a reproductive health care services provider, employee, volunteer or patient, or a public entity employee or contractor;
(5) Affirmation of the program participant that they continue to live in fear for their safety or that of their family or the safety of a minor or incapacitated program participant in the care of the person making the affirmation and that continued participation in Safe at Home is requested; and
(6) Signature of the program participant or legal guardian of the program participant and date of signature.

(c) Certification as a program participant for reproductive health care services facility volunteers shall be certified for six (6) months from the last date of volunteering with the facility. A program participant who ceases to volunteer at a reproductive health care services facility shall immediately notify the Secretary of State in writing as to the last date of volunteering at a reproductive health care services facility. The Secretary of State shall send a letter to the program participant confirming receipt of the notification and identifying the date the certification shall expire.

(d) A child who reaches the age of 18 years old while participating in the Safe at Home program as a minor child and chooses to continue participation in the Safe at Home program as an adult shall complete the Notice of Renewal, provided by Safe at Home.

(e) A child who turns 18 years old while participating in the program as a minor child and elects to continue participation in the Safe at Home program as an adult, and who is also the parent of a minor child, shall go to a designated enrolling agency and complete the application process as a program participant for themselves and for any minor children, regardless of whether or not those children will be enrolled in the Safe at Home program.

(f) With the exception of reproductive health care services facilities volunteers, if a Notice of Renewal is not received on or before the expiration of the four-year term, it will be considered a withdrawal from the program and participation with the Safe at Home program shall be terminated.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 6215.2(e) and 6215.9, Government Code. Reference: Section 6215.2, Government Code.

Section 22100.4 Withdrawals, Termination and Appeals for Participants and Enrolling Agencies under Chapter 3.2 (commencing with section 6215) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code

(a) A program participant or enrolling agency may withdraw from the Safe at Home program by submitting a signed and dated written request to the Safe at Home program. Upon receipt of the program participant's or enrolling agency’s request for withdrawal, Safe at Home shall send written confirmation of withdrawal and in addition shall request the program participant return the Identification Card(s) issued by Safe at Home, and the program participant or enrolling agency shall be terminated from the Safe at Home program.

(b) If the Safe at Home program determines that termination of a program participant's enrollment with the Safe at Home program is warranted, the Safe at Home program shall send a termination notice to the program participant at the most recent mailing and/or residential address on file with Safe at Home. Termination of a program participant's enrollment with Safe at Home is warranted if:

(1) The program participant's mail that has been forwarded to the program participant by Safe at Home is returned to Safe at Home as undeliverable to that program participant;
(2) The program participant's four-year term of enrollment has expired, and the program participant has not renewed their enrollment pursuant to Section 22100.3;
(3) Safe at Home is informed by another state agency that has determined false information was used in the application process or participation is being used to avoid detection of illegal or criminal activity or apprehension by law enforcement as described in section 6215.4, subdivision (b)(2) of the Government Code;
(4) The program participant no longer resides at the most recent residential address provided to Safe at Home and has not provided notice of their current address within 30 days; or
(5) Program participant abandons their domicile in California and have not met the conditions pursuant to subdivision (c) of Government Code Section 6215.4.

(c) If the Safe at Home program determines that termination of an enrolling agency’s designation is warranted, the Safe at Home program shall send a termination notice to the enrolling agency. Termination of an enrolling agency’s designation is warranted if:

(1) The enrolling agency does not satisfy the definition provided in Section 22100.1, subdivision (a);
(2) The enrolling agency does not renew their Enrolling Agency Designation Agreement every four years; or
(3) The Secretary of State finds that the enrolling agency is not fulfilling its obligations and responsibilities under this chapter and Chapter 3.2 (commencing with Section 6215) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.

(d) Notification of termination shall be sent to program participants and enrolling agencies by mail. The notification of termination shall include the grounds for termination, the date in which termination shall be effective, and the appeal procedures.

(e) A program participant or enrolling agency shall have five (5) business days from date of receipt of the notification of termination to provide the Secretary of State with a statement signed by the program participant or authorized representative of the enrolling agency appealing the termination. The statement shall include arguments and facts as to why the Secretary of State should not terminate the certification or designation. Any evidence, including supporting declarations, shall be submitted with the signed statement. The Secretary of State shall have ten (10) business days from the date of receipt to review the appeal, issue a decision, and send by mail the decision to the program participant or enrolling agency.

(f) If the appeal process for a program participant extends beyond the termination date identified in the notification of termination, the Secretary of State shall continue to act as though the certification is valid until the Secretary of State issues a decision. If the decision is to terminate the program participant's certification, the termination shall be effective three (3) business days after the decision is mailed to the program participant. The decision shall also state the date in which the program participant's certification shall be terminated.

(g) If the appeal process for an enrolling agency extends beyond the termination date identified in the notification of termination, the community-based assistance organization shall not represent itself as an enrolling agency, unless and until such time as the Secretary of State reinstates the designation as an enrolling agency.

(h) Upon the effective date of the termination, the community-based assistance organization shall not represent itself as an enrolling agency and shall return any Safe at Home applications and materials to the Secretary of State within three (3) business days.

Note: Authority cited: Section 6215.9, Government Code. Reference: Sections 6215.3, 6215.4 and 6215.8, Government Code.

Section 22100.5 Definitions

The following definitions, along with any definitions included in sections 6205.5, 6215.1, and 6215.2 of the Government Code, shall apply to the regulations contained in this chapter:
(a) “Applicant” means a person who has completed the Safe at Home Enrollment Application to participate in the Safe at Home program.
(b) “Enrolling Agency” means a California agency or community-based assistance program, or a community-based victims assistance program, designated to assist Applicants of the Safe at Home program complete and submit a Safe at Home Enrollment Application.
(c) “Other Parent” means all other parents or guardians of the minor child or children of the applicant, as legally established by voluntary declaration of paternity, court order, placement on the child’s birth certificate, or other legal method pursuant to the Uniform Parentage Act (Part 3 (commencing with Section 7600) of Division 12 of the Family Code).
(d) “Safe at Home Authorization Number” means the unique identifying number assigned to each program participant upon enrollment in the Safe at Home program.
(e) “Safe at Home Designated Mailing Address” means the address issued by Safe at Home to be used by the program participant as their mailing address.
(f) “Identification Card” means the card provided to each program participant which contains the program participant's first and last names, unique Safe at Home Authorization Number, and Safe at Home Designated Mailing Address. The Identification Card can be used by the program participant to prove or substantiate participation in the Safe at Home program.
(g) “Program participant” means a person whose application for enrollment into the Safe at Home program has been fully processed by Safe at Home program staff, has been assigned a Safe at Home Authorization Number and a Safe at Home Designated Mailing Address, and who remains domiciled in California.
(h) “Primary Participant” means the person who is or was the direct victim of a crime as defined by section 6206 of the Government Code, or experienced threats of violence, violence, or harassment as defined by section 6215.2 of the Government Code; and has one or more Household Members domiciled at the same address enrolled in the program as a program participant.
(i) “Household Member” means an adult person who resides at the same residential address with the Primary Participant and is related to the Primary Participant by blood, marriage, registered domestic partnership, adoption, or is a cohabitant of the Primary Participant.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 6209 and 6215.9, Government Code. Reference: Sections 6205, 6205.5, 6206, 6206.1, 6206.4, 6206.5, 6206.7, 6207, 6207.5, 6208, 6208.1, 6208.2, 6208.5, 6209, 6209.5, 6209.6, 6209.7, 6210, 6215, 6215.1, 6215.2, 6215.3, 6215.4, 6215.5, 6215.6, 6215.7, 6215.8, 6215.9, 6215.10, 6215.12 and 6216, Government Code.

Section 22100.6 Enrolling Agencies under Chapter 3.1 (commencing with section 6205) of Division 7, Title 1 of the Government Code

(a) Designated community-based victims assistance programs referred to in this chapter and in Chapter 3.1 (commencing with Section 6205) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code shall be known as enrolling agencies. Community-based victims assistance programs that are eligible to be designated as enrolling agencies are community-based organizations, nonprofits, and state and local government agencies.

(b) To apply to become a designated enrolling agency an eligible community-based victims assistance program as defined in subdivision (a) shall submit a completed Enrolling Agency Designation Agreement (Revised October 2024), hereby, incorporated by reference, to the Secretary of State every four years. There shall be no application fee for designation as an enrolling agency.

(A) Attend a program orientation and training provided by the Secretary of State to assist program participant applicants with the enrollment and application process;
(B) Review the application with applicants before forwarding the completed enrollment package and application fees to the Secretary of State within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of a completed enrollment package;
(C) Maintain an adequate supply of original application materials provided by the Secretary of State and not make copies of any of the application materials;
(D) Respond to applicant request for services for Safe at Home within 14 days; and
(E) Fulfill the obligations and responsibilities under Chapter 3.1 (commencing with Section 6205) of the Government Code and this chapter.

(d) The Secretary of State shall review the Enrolling Agency Designation Agreement to determine whether: (1) the community-based victims assistance organization is eligible under subdivision (a); and (2) all requested information on Enrolling Agency Designation Agreement is complete. If the community-based victims assistance organization is eligible under subdivision (a) and the Enrolling Agency Designation Agreement is complete, the Secretary of State shall designate the community-based victims assistance program as an enrolling agency. Within ten (10) business days of actual receipt of an Enrolling Agency Designation Agreement the Secretary of State shall mail a notice to the community-based victims assistance organization stating whether or not it has been designated as an enrolling agency. Each enrolling agency shall attend a program orientation provided by the Secretary of State prior to counseling program participant applicants.

(e) Representatives or victim advocates of enrolling agencies shall complete training provided by the Safe at Home program prior to assisting program Applicants with the application process. The training shall include instruction on how to assist individuals who wish to participate in the Safe at Home program as those individuals complete the legally required sections of the Safe at Home Enrollment Application. Training shall also include explanation of the roles and responsibilities of enrolling agencies, program participants and Safe at Home program staff in the effective administration of the Safe at Home program.

(f) An enrolling agency shall cease to be designated if the Secretary of State receives written notification by an authorized representative of the enrolling agency that it is withdrawing from the program or if the enrolling agency is terminated in accordance with Section 22101(c). Upon the effective date of the termination, the community-based assistance organization shall not represent itself as an enrolling agency and shall return any Safe at Home applications and materials to the Secretary of State within three (3) business days.

Note: Authority cited: Section 6209, Government Code. Reference: Sections 6206 and 6208.5, Government Code.

Section 22100.7 Program Participant Application under Chapter 3.1 (commencing with section 6205) of Division 7, Title 1 of the Government Code

(a) An individual who alleges they are a victim of any of the offenses enumerated in Government Code section 6205.5 subsections (c), (e), (g), (i) and (j), or who alleges they are a Household Member of a Primary Participant as defined in Government Code section 6205.5 subsection (f), and who desires to participate in the Safe at Home program under Chapter 3.1 (commencing with Section 6205) of Division 7 of Title 1, shall complete a Safe at Home Enrollment Application (Rev. 6.2024), hereby incorporated by reference. If the Applicant has minor children and is subject to court orders related to those children but does not have physical copies of those orders to submit along with the SAH-2 form, the individual applying to participate in the Safe at Home program shall also complete the Declaration Confirming Court Orders, form SAH-2A (Rev. Mar.2022), hereby incorporated by reference. Both forms shall be completed with a designated enrolling agency representative.

(1) A Household Member of a Primary Participant who chooses to apply to the Safe at Home program shall submit documentation to substantiate the Household Member's residential address shared with the Primary Participant. Documentation may include:

A. Joint or individual checking account
B. California driver license
C. Property tax statement or bill
D. Utility bill
E. Lease or rental agreement
F. Property insurance documentation
G. Signed declaration

(2) A Household Member's participation in the Safe at Home program is linked to the participation of the Primary Participant. When a Household Member is applying to the Safe at Home program at the same time as the Primary Participant, the application for the Household Member shall be processed after the application for the Primary Participant.
(3) If an Applicant with minor children becomes a program participant, Safe at Home shall send notice, by certified mail, to the Other Parent pursuant to section 6206(e) of the Government Code informing the Other Parent of the Safe at Home address of their minor child or children. All Safe at Home Applicants shall provide the first and last name, and the last known address for the Applicant's minor children, and the first and last name, and the last known address for the Other Parent of the Applicant's minor children, regardless of whether or not the Applicant seeks to enroll those minor children in the program. Notification shall be made to other parents legally established pursuant to the Uniform Parentage Act (Part 3 (commencing with Section 7600) of Division 12 of the Family Code), otherwise, this section may be left blank.

(b) A guardian or conservator applying on behalf of an eligible minor or an incapacitated adult shall complete application materials for the minor child or incapacitated adult, provide court documents that show proof of guardianship or conservatorship and the powers vested therein, and complete the Safe at Home Supplemental Guardianship/Conservatorship form, SAH-2B Rev. June 2019, hereby incorporated by reference, in its entirety.

(c) If the Safe at Home Program application is incomplete, Safe at Home program staff shall attempt to contact the Applicant to obtain the missing information. An Applicant who fails to respond to a Safe at Home inquiry regarding their application within 90 calendar days from the date of inquiry shall be denied enrollment into the program based on the incomplete application. Safe at Home shall destroy all unprocessed enrollment applications and any supporting materials after the 90 calendar days has passed.

(d) The Safe at Home program shall provide written notification to the Applicant of either denial to or acceptance into the Safe at Home program.

Note: Authority cited: Section 6209, Government Code. Reference: Sections 6206, 6208.5 and 6209.7, Government Code.

Section 22100.8 Application Denial under Chapter 3.1 (commencing with section 6205) and Chapter 3.2 (commencing with section 6215) of Division 7, Title 1 of the Government Code

(a) Participation in the Safe at Home program shall be denied to an Applicant for any of the following reasons:

(1) Failure to provide information on the Safe at Home Enrollment Application that is required under Government Code section 6206 and 6215.2. Safe at Home shall attempt to contact the Applicant to obtain required information and complete the enrollment application before deciding to deny the Applicant participation in the Safe at Home program pursuant to this section. If the Applicant fails to respond to this request for statutorily required information within 90 calendar days, the application shall be denied.
(2) Making a false or fraudulent attestation on the enrollment application.

(b) Safe at Home shall provide the Applicant with written notice of a decision to deny the application. This notice of denial shall include the reasons for denial.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 6209 and 6215.9, Government Code. Reference: Sections 6206, 6209.7 and 6215.2, Government Code.

Section 22100.9. Program Participant Renewals under Chapter 3.1 (commencing with Section 6205) of Division 7, Title 1 of the Government Code

(a) Certification as a Safe at Home program participant shall be for a term of four (4) years, after which the Participant may renew certification by completing a Safe at Home Notice of Renewal, form SAH-5 (Rev.12.23) hereby incorporated by reference. At least 60 days prior to the four (4) year anniversary date of certification as a program participant, the Secretary of State shall mail a renewal application entitled Notice of Renewal, hereby incorporated by reference, to each program participant. The Notice of Renewal must be received by the Secretary of State no later than five (5) business days after the expiration of the four (4) year term. If the Notice of Renewal is received by the Secretary of State later than five (5) business days after the expiration of the four (4) year term, the certification as a program participant shall not be renewed.

(b) The Notice of Renewal shall include a notice that a person who willfully certifies as true any material matter pursuant to Section 6206(f) of the Government Code which they know to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall require all of the following information:

(1) Name and program certification number of the primary program participant and minor children who are program participants;
(2) Address or addresses that the program participant request not be disclosed for the reason that disclosure will increase the risk of acts of violence toward the applicant;
(3) Mailing address where the program participant can be contacted by the Secretary of State, and the telephone number or numbers where the program participant can be called by the Secretary of State;
(4) Affirmation of the program participant that they continue to live in fear for their safety or that of their family or the safety of a minor or incapacitated program participant in the care of the person making the affirmation and that continued participation in Safe at Home is requested; and
(5) Signature of the program participant or legal guardian of the program participant and date of signature.

(c) A child who reaches the age of 18 years old while participating in the Safe at Home program as a minor child and chooses to continue participation in the Safe at Home program as an adult shall complete the Notice of Renewal provided by Safe at Home.

(d) A child who turns 18 years old while participating in the program as a minor child and elects to continue participation in the Safe at Home program as an adult, and who is also the parent of a minor child, shall go to a designated enrolling agency and complete the application process as a program participant for themselves and for any minor children, regardless of whether or not those children will be enrolled in the Safe at Home program.

(e) If a Notice of Renewal is not received on or before the expiration of the four-year term, it will be considered a withdrawal from the program and participation with the Safe at Home program shall be terminated.

Note: Authority cited: Section 6209, Government Code. Reference: Section 6206, Government Code.

Section 22101 Withdrawals, Termination and Appeals for Participants and Enrolling Agencies under Chapter 3.1 (commencing with section 6205) of Division 7, Title 1 of the Government Code

(a) A program participant or enrolling agency may withdraw from the Safe at Home program by submitting a signed and dated written request to the Safe at Home program. Upon receipt of the program participant's or enrolling agency’s request for withdrawal, Safe at Home shall send written confirmation of withdrawal, and in addition request the program participant return the Identification Card(s) issued by Safe at Home, and the program participant or enrolling agency shall be terminated from the Safe at Home program.

(1) The program participant's mail that has been forwarded to the program participant by Safe at Home is returned to Safe at Home as undeliverable to that program participant; (2) The program participant's four-year term of enrollment has expired, and the program participant has not renewed their enrollment pursuant to Section 22100.9;
(3) Safe at Home is informed by another state agency that has determined false information was used in the application process or participation is being used to avoid detection of illegal or criminal activity or apprehension by law enforcement as described in section 6206.7, subdivision (b)(2) of the Government Code;
(4) The program participant no longer resides at the most recent residential address provided to Safe at Home and has not provided notice of their current address within 30 days; or
(5) Program participant abandons their domicile in California and have not met the conditions pursuant to subdivision (c) of Government Code Section 6206.7.

(1) The enrolling agency does not satisfy the definition provided in Section 22100.1, subdivision (a);
(2) The enrolling agency does not renew their Enrolling Agency Designation Agreement every four years; or
(3) The Secretary of State finds that the enrolling agency is not fulfilling its obligations and responsibilities under this chapter and Chapter 3.1 (commencing with Section 6205) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.

Note: Authority cited: Section 6209, Government Code. Reference: Sections 6206, 6206.5, 6206.7 and 6208, Government Code.

Section 22101.1 Mail Receipt, Handling and Forwarding

(a) The Safe at Home program shall forward mail received by the Safe at Home Program and addressed to the program participant to the program participant no less than three times per week.
(b) To ensure accurate mail processing and mail forwarding, program participant mail received by Safe at Home shall include the program participant's name on file with Safe at Home and shall include the program participant's Safe at Home Authorization Number.
(c) Mail that does not include the program participant's Safe at Home Authorization Number may result in either a delay forwarding mail to the program participant, or in having the mail returned to sender if Safe at Home is unable to verify the true intended recipient.
(d) Mail forwarding to program participants may be delayed due to government closures, holidays, and weekends.
(e) Program participant mail received by Safe at Home shall be no larger than 9x12 inches and 1/4 inch thick, and no greater than 16 oz. in weight. Mail that exceeds these dimensions shall be returned to sender.
(f) Certified and registered mail shall be forwarded as certified mail. All other express mail shall be forwarded as first-class mail.
(g) The Safe at Home program shall not forward magazines, or mail that is identified as containing online purchases, medication, liquids, or fragile items.
(h) Upon request by the program participant, the Safe at Home program shall hold program participant's mail for a period not to exceed two weeks.
(i) When a program participant uses a pseudonym in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure section 367.3, Safe at Home will accept legal documents with a pseudonym and authorization number. A program participant shall notify Safe at Home of court approval to use a pseudonym to ensure correct forwarding.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 6209 and 6215.9, Government Code. Reference: Sections 6206, 6207, 6215.2 and 6215.5, Government Code.

Section 22101.2 Service of Process

(a) Service of process intended for Safe at Home program participants is accepted by the Safe at Home program during regular business hours, excluding state holidays, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time. In-person service shall be made at 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, California 95814. Service by mail shall have the program participant’s name and authorization number and be sent to P.O. Box 846, Sacramento, CA 95814.

(1) The Safe at Home program is not authorized to accept service of process on behalf of individuals who are not program participants in the Safe at Home program.
(2) The responsibility to inspect documents submitted to Safe at Home for the purpose of serving a participant rest solely on the parties and their attorneys. Safe at Home shall not review pleadings or other papers for compliance with Section 417.10 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(3) The person being served shall be clearly identified in the documents being served by including the program participant's legal name and their Safe at Home Authorization Number.
(4) The Safe at Home program shall forward a copy of the summons, writ, notice, demand or process to the Safe at Home program participant's mailing address on file with Safe at Home.
(5) Safe at Home shall keep a record of all summonses, writs, notices, demands, and processes served, including the time of service and Safe at Home actions taken with respect to the documents served.
(6) Service of process will be received with pseudonym and authorization number in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure section 367.3.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 6209 and 6215.9, Government Code. Reference: Sections 6206 and 6215.2, Government Code.

Section 22101.3. Confidential Name Changes under Chapter 3.1 (commencing with section 6205) of Division 7, Title 1 of the Government Code

(a) Prior to petitioning the Superior Court of the county in which a program participant resides, a Safe at Home program participant seeking a confidential name change pursuant to subdivision (b), section 1277 of the Code of Civil Procedure shall complete and submit to the Safe at Home program a Confidential Notice of Intent of Name Change Form (Rev. 10.2024), hereby incorporated by reference.

(b) The Confidential Notice of Intent of Name Change Form shall be completed by the program participant seeking a name change and shall include their current legal name and the name they intend to adopt as their new legal name resulting from the confidential name change process. Safe at Home shall make no assessment about the legality or the appropriateness of the proposed new legal name.

(c) Only the guardian or conservator of a minor child or incapacitated adult who is a program participant shall complete the Confidential Notice of Intent of Name Change Form on behalf of the minor child or incapacitated adult program participant.

(d) A separate Confidential Notice of Intent of Name Change Form shall be filed for each minor child or incapacitated adult whose name a guardian or conservator seeks to change.

(e) After Safe at Home has received a completed Confidential Notice of Intent of Name Change Form, the program shall provide the requesting program participant with documentation to substantiate the program participant's enrollment in the Safe at Home program.

(f) Once a program participant's legal name has been changed by the Superior Court, the program participant's new legal name will be the name indicated on the most recently completed Confidential Notice of Intent of Name Change Form sent to Safe at Home by the program participant.

(g) Once a program participant's name has been legally changed by the Superior Court and Safe at Home has received a certified copy of the court decree changing the name, Safe at Home shall update program records to reflect the new legal name and shall accept mail for the program participant addressed to their new legal name. Safe at Home shall continue to accept mail sent to the program participant in their previous legal name for 90 days from the date of receipt of the court decree, after which, Safe at Home shall only accept mail addressed to the current legal name on file.

(h) The Confidential Notice of Intent of Name Change Form, along with the court decree officially changing the program participant's legal name, shall remain on file with the Safe at Home Program consistent with section 6206.4 of the Government Code.

Note: Authority Cited: Section 6209, Government Code; Reference: Sections 6206.4 and 6209.5, Government Code.

Section 22101.4 Disclosing Confidential Information

(a) Law enforcement agencies may request the disclosure of a program participant's confidential address or change of name by submitting a written request on the official letterhead of the law enforcement agency. The letter shall be signed and dated by the requesting officer's supervisor and addressed to the Safe at Home program. The request shall include the investigating officer's name, badge number, and the name of the law enforcement agency to which the information shall be disclosed. Safe at Home shall subsequently make the confidential address or name change available for inspection and copying at the Safe at Home Program within the Office of the Secretary of State.

(b) The Safe at Home program shall not make a program participant's address, other than the address designated by the Safe at Home program, or a program participant's name change, available for inspection or copying unless requested by a law enforcement agency in a manner consistent with subsection (a), or pursuant to a court order.

(c) Law enforcement shall keep the program participant's confidential information out of non-confidential public records, pursuant to sections 6207 and 6215.5 of the Government Code.

(d) Requests for information by court order will be submitted to the issuing court or court department.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 6209 and 6215.9, Government Code. Reference: Sections 6207, 6208, 6215.5 and 6215.7, Government Code.

22101.5. Public Agency Use of Safe at Home Designated Address Exemption

(a) When a state or local agency has a bona fide statutory or administrative requirement to use a confidential address of a Safe at Home program participant, the agency shall request an exemption. The requesting agency shall submit a written request to the Safe at Home program identifying the bona fide statutory or administrative requirement to use the address that would otherwise be confidential.

(b) The agency request for exemption shall include all of the following:

(1) A detailed description of the agency's statutory or administrative requirement to use the residential address which would otherwise be confidential;
(2) The name, address, telephone number, and signature of the agency's contact person, and date of signing;
(3) A statement that the confidential address will be used solely for the statutory and administrative purposes provided in the request;
(4) A written confirmation of procedures that will be used so the confidential address is kept confidential and not made available in public record.

(c) The Safe at Home program shall determine whether the requesting agency has a bona fide statutory or administrative requirement for the use of the address which would otherwise be confidential, and that the requesting agency has adequate procedures to maintain confidentiality of the program participant's residential address.

(d) The Safe at Home program shall notify the requesting agency and the affected program participant of its determination.