Rule 7.1.Address Confidentiality Program
Part I. General Administration · Last amended September 12, 2026 · Last verified November 2, 2026
Full Text of Rule 7.1
Rule History
Added on an emergency basis, effective Sept. 12, 2026.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 7.1 is new. The Supreme Court adopted it on an emergency basis, effective September 12, 2026, to fit the family court to the Address Confidentiality Program — the Secretary of State's program, under A.R.S. sections 41-161 and following, that gives relocated victims of domestic violence, sexual offenses and stalking a substitute address to use in place of their real one. The Court will decide at its December 2026 Rules Agenda whether to keep the rule permanently.
The notice, and what the clerk does with it
The rule starts when the court receives a notice, from the Secretary of State or from a party, that a party is a participant in the program. If the clerk can tell from the notice that the party is a participant, two things follow. The clerk updates the court's contact information for the party to the substitute address. And the party's residence address is sealed in all court records, with the clerk making whatever updates the record needs to show it.
Note what is missing: a motion, a hearing and a judge. Sealing under Rule 7.1 happens on notice, as a clerk's act — which is why Rule 3(h) now defines sealing as an action by the clerk or the court.
Proving participation
The party should give the court a current and valid program authorization card. The word is "should", not "must": the rule allows an acceptable alternative when necessary.
When the clerk cannot tell
If the notice does not show whether the party is a participant, the clerk refers it to the assigned judge. If the judge finds that the party is a participant, the judge must order the residence address sealed in all court records and direct the clerk to make the same two updates.
From then on
The party must not include or use the residence address in any future filing. The parties and the court use the substitute address for every later filing, notice and communication in the case. The notice itself is confidential: the court may show it to the party who submitted it, and to no one else.
Rule 7.1 and Rule 7
Rule 7 lets any party ask the court to protect an address on a showing of possible harm. Rule 7.1 starts from a decision the Secretary of State has already made, so the court does not weigh the risk again; it confirms enrollment and seals. A party who is not enrolled in the program still uses Rule 7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What starts the process under Rule 7.1?
A notice, from the Secretary of State or from a party, telling the court that a party is a participant in the Address Confidentiality Program. Rule 7.1(a) then has the clerk update the party's contact information to the substitute address and treat the residence address as sealed in all court records.
Do I have to file a motion to seal my address?
Not under Rule 7.1. If the clerk can tell from the notice that you are a participant, the residence address is sealed without a motion or a hearing. Only when the clerk cannot tell does Rule 7.1(c) send the notice to the assigned judge, who must order the address sealed on finding that you are a participant.
What proof of enrollment should I give the court?
Rule 7.1(b) says the party should provide a current and valid Address Confidentiality Program authorization card, but may submit an acceptable alternative if necessary.
Which address goes on my filings after that?
The substitute address. Rule 7.1(d) bars the party from including or using the residence address in any future filing, and requires the parties and the court to use the substitute address for all further filings, notices and communications in the case.
Can the other party see the notice?
No. Rule 7.1(e) makes the notice confidential. The court may disclose it to the party who submitted it but must not disclose it to anyone else.
How is this different from a protected address under Rule 7?
Rule 7 protects an address after a request and a showing that the other party does not know it and that harm may follow, or that an order of protection exists. Rule 7.1 applies only to participants in the Secretary of State's Address Confidentiality Program, and seals the residence address on notice of enrollment.
Is Rule 7.1 permanent?
It was adopted on an emergency basis, effective September 12, 2026. The Supreme Court has said it will consider adopting it permanently at its December 2026 Rules Agenda.