Victims' Rights forms

Do you need to apply for compensation?

Application for compensation from the Office of Victim Services

This PDF includes frequently asked questions about crime victim compensation, instructions to apply and the application to print. 

Apply online for compensation through the Victim Service Portal

This is an online program to file a claim for crime victim compensation. You will need an NY.gov ID account. NY.gov ID accounts provides secure electronic access to this and other government services.

Updated 8/21/24

Safety forms

Are you concerned about your safety?

Ask Family Court for an Order of Protection against your intimate partner

Print and file this Order of Protection in your county family court. 

Keep your address confidential while in court

Print, complete and file this form in your county family court to keep your address confidential. 

Join the Address Confidentiality Program to shield your address for your safety

This is a PDF. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to use this program.

This a free program from the New York Department of State (NYDOS) that allows victims of domestic violence to shield their actual address. Participants are assigned a substitute address which they will use for receipt of all first-class, registered and certified mail. Go to the NYDOS website to read more about the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP).

Make a safety plan with this Safety Planning Form (for older adults over 55)

This personalized safety planning tool from Aging Safely will help you prepare a free safety plan if you or a loved one are in an unsafe situation.

Individuals can use this interview if they are:

• An older adult (over 55), and
• Are suffering from or afraid of physical, emotional, or financial abuse, or
• A friend, family member, or non-legal advocate helping an older adult.

Do you need to report a violation of an existing Order of Protection?

Violation of Family Court Order of Protection Petition

If the Order of Protection started in Family Court, print, complete and file this Order of Protection in your county family court to report a violation and punish the violator. 

Do you have an existing Order of Protection and are traveling or moving to another state?

Cover Sheet for Interstate Enforcement of a Protection Order

This free program can create a cover sheet for your protection order. When you put the cover sheet on top of your protection order, it makes it easier for the courts and police in other states to enforce your order.

Do you need to have your voter registration information be confidential?

If you are a victim of domestic violence or sexual violence, know that you have the right to have your voter registration information be confidential. 

Download and complete the Statement of Confidential Voter form on the NYS Board of Elections website.

Take or mail this form to your County Board of Elections. Complete your voter registration, and then confirm that they will keep your voter registration informational confidential and not available to the public. 

Updated September 18, 2024

Immigration forms

Do you need to file under VAWA?

Print and file Form I-360

This is a PDF form. You can visit the USCIS website to read the instructions about filing under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) or go straight to the form to print - Form I-360.

Do you need to submit a battered spouse waiver?

Print and file Form I-751

This is a PDF form. If approved, this allows the battered spouse or child to have the two-year limitation on their green cards removed without the assistance or knowledge of the abuser.

Do you need to file for a U Visa?

Print and file Form I-918 for victims of crime

This is a PDF. A U Visa provides temporary immigration benefits to victims of crime, and to their qualifying family members.The instructions and application are available in PDF form - Form I-918.

Do you need to file for a T Visa?

Print and file form I-914

Victims of human trafficking can apply for T Visa Nonimmigrant status using this PDF.

Money & Financial issues forms

Are you being sued for a debt?

Deal with a consumer debt case, wage garnishment or a frozen bank account

This program can produce an Answer, Unfreeze Bank Account Letter, Improper Garnishment Letter, or Motion to Dismiss.

Vacate a default judgment

This free program helps you create the court papers to explain why you missed your court date or didn't answer a complaint and ask the judge to lift the judgment that was made against you in your absence.

Are you dealing with debt collectors?

Write a letter to get a collector to stop contacting you or ask for debt forgiveness

Use this free program from LawHelpInteractive to create a letter to ask for debt forgiveness. You can use this letter when you owe a bill that you are unable to pay.

Did you receive a charge for something you did not buy or do not recognize?

Dispute a charge

Anyone who finds a charge in their Bank statement or who receives a bill for something they did not buy or charge can use this free program. Use this letter if you find a charge you don't recognize in your bills or bank statements.

Have you found a mistake on your credit report?

Dispute a credit report error

This free program helps you dispute an error in your credit report. Anyone who finds an error in their credit report can use this free program, for example:

• If you are denied insurance due to an error on your credit report
• If you are denied a loan due to your credit score
• If you get your free annual credit report and you see errors in it

Updated 10/28/21

Housing forms 

Do you need to file a complaint?

File a complaint online with HUD if you have experienced housing discrimination 

If you believe you have experienced discrimination in renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities, you can file a complaint with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). You can also file a complaint if you believe you have been denied an equal opportunity to participate in a HUD program.

File a complaint with the New York Attorney General if you have complaints about rental security deposits and advance fees 

You can submit a complaint through this online form if your landlord did one of the following:

• did not return your security deposit
• charged more than one month's rent for your security deposit
• did not place your security deposit in a trust account
• did not pay interst on the deposit (if required by law)
• charged more than $20 for an application fee

Are you facing an eviction?

Use this program to create an Answer for an eviction case

If you have received eviction papers, this program can help you create the Answer that you need to file in court.

Did you miss your court date and receive a default judgment?

Vacate Default Judgment Program for tenants

If you missed your court date, you may have received notice of a default judgment against you. If  there is a judgment against you, this free and easy program will ask you questions and make papers that help you tell a Judge why you missed your court date in a landlord-tenant nonpayment or holdover case.

Update 8.30.24

LGBTQ+ Rights & Hate Crimes forms

Are you looking to legally change your name?

Complete an Adult Name Change Petition in NYS Supreme Court or County Court.

This free program for NY state residents will help you fill out the form that you will need to file in court to change your name.

or,

If you are a NYC resident, you can complete an Adult Name Change Petition in NYC Civil Court.

This free program for NYC residents will help you fill out the form that you will need to file in court to change your name.

Do you need to report a hate crime?

If you don’t want to call the police, you can report what happened to these organizations. They can also connect you to people who can help:

Report a hate crime to the Anti-Violence Project.

Use this online form to report an experience of violence, such as hate violence, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and hook-up violence.

Report a hate incident to Stop AAPI Hate.

Use this online form to report incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.

File a NYS Division of Human Rights complaint.

If you experienced a bias incident in areas such as employment, education, credit, purchasing or renting a home, or a public accommodation, go can file a complaint through this page. You can use the online form or download the print version. 

Updated January 4, 2022