(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in any civil proceeding, whether or not an order of protection or temporary order of protection is sought or has been sought in the past, the court may, upon its own motion or upon the motion of any party, authorize any party to keep his or her residential and business addresses and telephone numbers confidential from any party in any pleadings or other papers submitted to the court, where the court makes specific findings on the record supporting a conclusion that disclosure of such addresses or telephone numbers would pose an unreasonable risk to the health or safety of a party. Pending such a finding, any such addresses or telephone numbers of the party seeking confidentiality shall be safeguarded and sealed in order to prevent its inadvertent or unauthorized use or disclosure.
R 2103-a.Confidentiality of addresses in civil proceedings
Article 21. Papers · Last amended 2004 · Last verified July 21, 2026
In one sentenceCPLR 2103-a lets a New York court keep a party's home and business address and phone number confidential from other parties when disclosure would create an unreasonable risk to that party's health or safety, and shields domestic-violence shelter addresses outright.
Full Text of CPLR 2103-a
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a party has resided or resides in a residential program for victims of domestic violence as defined in section four hundred fifty-nine-a of the social services law, the present address of such party and the address of the residential program for victims of domestic violence shall not be revealed by the court or any court personnel who may have access to such information.
(c) Upon such authorization, the court shall designate the clerk of the court or such other disinterested person as it deems appropriate, with consent of such disinterested person, as the agent for service of process for the party whose residential and business addresses or telephone numbers are to remain confidential and shall notify the parties of such designation and the address of the agent in writing. The clerk or disinterested person designated by the court shall, when served with process on behalf of the party whose information is to remain confidential, promptly notify such party whose information is to remain confidential and forward such process to him or her in a manner calculated to be timely received.
(d) In any case in which such confidentiality authorization is made, the party whose information is to remain confidential shall inform the clerk of the court or disinterested person designated by the court of any change in address for purposes of receipt of service of process or any papers.
Plain-English Summary
Litigation ordinarily runs on full disclosure of who lives where, but that assumption breaks down when a party's safety is at stake. CPLR 2103-a lets a court, on its own initiative or on a party's motion, keep a person's residential and business addresses and phone numbers out of the pleadings and papers that go to the other side. The court has to make specific findings on the record that disclosure would create an unreasonable risk to health or safety, and while that finding is pending, the information stays sealed.
Subdivision (b) draws a bright line around victims of domestic violence: if a party has lived in a residential program for domestic violence victims, neither the court nor its personnel may reveal that party's current address or the shelter's address, no findings required.
Once a court grants confidentiality, someone has to receive process on the protected party's behalf. The rule has the court designate the clerk or another disinterested person as agent for service, and that agent must promptly forward anything served to the protected party. The protected party, in turn, has to keep that agent updated on any address change, so service doesn't stall out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a party get their address kept confidential in a New York civil case?
By moving the court, or having the court act on its own, under CPLR 2103-a(a). The court must find on the record that disclosing the address would pose an unreasonable risk to the party's health or safety.
Is a domestic violence shelter address automatically protected in New York court papers?
Yes. CPLR 2103-a(b) bars the court or its personnel from revealing the current address of a party who has resided in a domestic violence residential program, or the address of that program, without requiring a separate motion or finding.
If my address is confidential, how does the other side serve me?
Through an agent the court designates, typically the clerk or another disinterested person, who forwards service to you in a manner meant to reach you in time. CPLR 2103-a(c).
Do I have to update the court if my address changes after confidentiality is granted?
Yes. CPLR 2103-a(d) requires you to notify the clerk or the designated agent of any address change so service of process and papers keeps reaching you.
Does the confidentiality order have to be tied to an order of protection?
No. CPLR 2103-a applies whether or not an order of protection has ever been sought; the court's finding about risk to health or safety is what matters, not the existence of a separate protective order.
Amendment History
Add, L 2004, ch 111, § 1, eff July 15, 2004.
Source & verification. Provision text, History, and Advisory
Committee Notes are reproduced verbatim from the Consolidated Laws of New York.
Last verified July 21, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: confidential address New York lawsuitdomestic violence shelter address protection New Yorkhow to keep my address private in courtNew York agent for service confidential partyCPLR address confidentiality motion