Iowa Code ch. 9E § 9E.2
Definitions
Operative Text
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. “Address” means a residential street address, school address, or work address of an individual, as specified on the individual’s application to be a program participant under this chapter. 2. “Applicant” means an adult, a parent or guardian acting on behalf of an eligible minor, or a guardian acting on behalf of an incapacitated person as defined in section 633.701. 3. “Designated address” means the mailing address assigned to a program participant by the secretary. 4. “Domestic abuse” means the same as defined in section 236.2. 5. “Domestic abuse assault” means the same as defined in section 708.2A. 6. a. “Eligible person” means a person who is a resident of this state, an adult, a minor, or an incapacitated person as defined in section 633.701, and is one of the following: 1. A victim of domestic abuse, domestic abuse assault, sexual abuse, assault, stalking, or human trafficking as evidenced by the filing of a petition pursuant to section 236.3 or a criminal complaint or information pursuant to section 708.1, 708.2A, 708.11, or 710A.2, or any violation contained in chapter 709. 2. A currently active or retired state or local judicial officer, as defined in section 4.1, a federal judge, or a spouse or child of such a person. 3. A currently active or retired state or local prosecuting attorney, as defined in section 801.4, or a spouse or child of such a person. 4. A currently active or retired peace officer, as defined in section 801.4, civilian employee of a law enforcement agency, or a spouse or child of such a person. b. For purposes of this subsection, a person determined to be a sexually violent predator pursuant to section 229A.7, a person required to register as a sex offender under chapter 692A, or a person determined to be a sexually violent predator or required to register as a sex offender pursuant to similar laws of another state is not an eligible person. 7. “Human trafficking” means a crime described in section 710A.2. 8. “Mail” means first-class letters and flats delivered via the United States postal service, including priority, express, and certified mail, and excluding packages, parcels, periodicals, and catalogues, unless they are clearly identifiable as pharmaceuticals or clearly indicate that they are sent by a state or county government agency. 9. “Program” means the address confidentiality program established in this chapter. 10. “Program participant” means an individual certified by the secretary as a program participant under section 9E.3. 11. “Secretary” means the secretary of state. 12. “Sexual abuse” means a violation of any provision of chapter 709. 13. “Stalking” means the same as defined in section 708.11.
Iowa Code ch. 9E § 9E.2 establishes the foundational vocabulary for Iowa's Address Confidentiality Program, which is designed to protect the residential, school, and work addresses of certain vulnerable individuals. The definitions clarify who may qualify as an 'eligible person'—including victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, stalking, assault, and human trafficking, as well as judges, prosecutors, peace officers, and their immediate family members—and who is explicitly excluded, such as registered sex offenders and adjudicated sexually violent predators. The section also defines key operational terms like 'designated address,' which is the substitute mailing address the Secretary of State assigns to approved participants, and 'mail,' which specifies the types of correspondence the program covers.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Iowa Code ch. 9E § 9E.2, a property owner or manager may encounter a prospective or current tenant who is a certified program participant and therefore has a 'designated address'—a substitute mailing address issued by the Secretary of State—rather than a disclosed residential address. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with the definitions in § 9E.2 to understand what types of correspondence qualify as 'mail' under the program and how a participant's designated address functions in place of a physical address. Operators working with program participants typically consult the broader chapter and appropriate legal counsel to ensure their leasing and communication practices align with the program's confidentiality requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Iowa Code ch. 9E § 9E.2 defines who qualifies as an 'eligible person' for the state's Address Confidentiality Program, covering victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, stalking, assault, and human trafficking, as well as certain judicial officers, prosecutors, peace officers, and their family members. If you believe you may fall within one of these categories, the definitions in § 9E.2 are the starting point for understanding whether you could apply for a designated address through the Secretary of State's office under this chapter. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help explain how program participation may interact with housing situations, including what rights and protections the program's confidentiality provisions may afford.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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