People in Arizona's address confidentiality program get added protection in divorce, custody and other family court cases, courts face a stricter test before ordering their home address disclosed, and the law adds felony penalties for obtaining or disclosing their address to harass, stalk or commit domestic violence against a party in those cases.
Official title: family court; address confidentiality
- September 12, 2026
What changes
BeforeCourts already had to accept a participant's substitute address from a valid program authorization card as the participant's address, unless the law or a court order said otherwise.
NowIn family law cases, if a party is in the address confidentiality program, the court must use the program's substitute address in all filings, notices and communications. The party's home address must be sealed in court records and may not be given to any party or attorney. The court may not treat program participation as evidence of parental alienation, failure to cooperate with the other party, or instability.
BeforeCourts could direct disclosure of a participant's address by court order, with no stated standard.
NowA court may not order disclosure of a participant's home address or location unless it finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that disclosure is essential to a compelling state interest and that no reasonable alternative exists.
BeforeIntentionally or knowingly obtaining a participant's address or phone number from the secretary of state or a government entity without authorization, or disclosing it in violation of the law, was a class 1 misdemeanor.
NowAttempting to obtain the address, and obtaining it by any other means, is also covered. Doing this to harass, stalk or commit domestic violence against a party in a family law case is a class 6 felony, or a class 5 felony if it involves surveillance of a minor, use of a third party or repeated attempts.
BeforeBoth parents were entitled to equal access to a child's records and information unless a court order or law said otherwise.
NowIf a parent with sole legal decision-making authority is in the program because of the other parent's actions, the other parent loses that equal-access right. The participant parent may share the required information by email, cell phone app or regular mail.
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NowWhen a participant's certification is renewed, the county recorder must continue or renew the sealing of the participant's voter record, and on request the sealing of other household voters' records as the law describes. A participant's voter record stays sealed after the participant dies.
Who it affects
- People in the address confidentiality program (people subjected to domestic violence, sexual offenses or stalking)
- Parents and other parties in divorce, custody, child support and other family law cases
- Household members of program participants who are registered voters
- Courts
- County recorders
- Secretary of state
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- Exactly what information a participant parent must provide to the other parent, and how often
- How long a renewed voter record sealing lasts
- Whether the new rules apply to family court cases already underway
- What sentences or fines the misdemeanor and felony classes carry
- How a court decides a parent joined the program because of the other parent's actions
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.