Illinois Form DSD A 398: DCFS Address Change

Illinois Form DSD A 398: DCFS Address Change – Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) employees who work in high-risk child protection and welfare roles can protect their personal privacy by using an official form from the Illinois Secretary of State. Form DSD A 398 allows eligible employees to replace their residential address with their DCFS business address on their driver’s license and/or state identification card. This process is authorized by Public Act 103-0888 and mirrors similar protections already available to peace officers.

This guide explains who qualifies, what the form requires, how to complete and submit it, associated fees, and where to download the official document. All information is drawn from the Illinois Secretary of State’s official publications and is current as of the form’s August 2024 printing.

What Is Form DSD A 398?

Form DSD A 398, titled “Request to Change Residence Address of D.C.F.S. Employee,” is an official Illinois Secretary of State document. It enables qualified DCFS staff to request that the residence address shown on their driver’s license or state ID card be changed to their official DCFS business address. The change can also be reversed later if the employee no longer needs the privacy protection.

The form is issued by the Driver Services Department and must be submitted in person at a Secretary of State Driver Services facility (DMV). A corrected card is then issued for a nominal fee.

You can download the official PDF directly from the Illinois Secretary of State:

Download Form DSD A 398 (PDF)

Who Is Eligible to Use Form DSD A 398?

Eligibility is limited to current DCFS employees holding one of the following job titles:

  • Child Protection Specialist Trainee
  • Child Protection Specialist
  • Child Protection Advanced Specialist
  • Child Welfare Specialist Trainee
  • Child Welfare Specialist
  • Child Welfare Advanced Specialist

These positions involve direct work with families and children in sensitive situations, making personal address privacy especially important. The request must be supported by a signature from a DCFS administrator who verifies the employee’s status and business address.

Legal Authority Behind the Form

Public Act 103-0888 directs the Illinois Secretary of State to change the residence address on the driver’s license or identification card of qualifying DCFS employees to their business address upon proper request. This statutory protection is comparable to the long-standing option available to peace officers under a separate form (DSD A 281).

By listing a business address instead of a home address, eligible employees reduce the risk that personal residence information appears on publicly accessible or easily obtained records.

Information Required on Form DSD A 398

The form collects the following details:

  • DCFS employee’s full name and official job title
  • Choice of action: change residence address to business address, or reverse the change back to residence address
  • Selection of record(s) to update: Driver’s License, Identification Card, or both
  • Complete DCFS business address (street, city, state, ZIP, county)
  • Current residence address (street, city, state, ZIP, county)
  • Personal information exactly as it appears on the existing driver’s license or ID: name, DL/ID number, date of birth, and gender
  • Type of identification presented and employee number
  • Signature and date of the DCFS employee
  • Signature, date, phone number, and email of the authorizing DCFS administrator
  • Secretary of State facility name and number (completed by facility staff)
  • Date received by the Secretary of State (completed by facility staff)

All information must match the existing driver’s license or ID card exactly to avoid processing delays.

How to Complete and Submit Form DSD A 398?

  1. Download the form from the official Illinois Secretary of State website using the link provided above.
  2. Fill out every required field accurately. Use the exact name, license/ID number, date of birth, and gender shown on your current card.
  3. Obtain the signature of an authorized DCFS administrator who confirms your employment and the correctness of the business address.
  4. Bring the completed form, your existing Illinois driver’s license or state ID card, and any required identification to a full-service Secretary of State Driver Services facility.
  5. Submit the form in person. Facility staff will process the request and issue a corrected driver’s license or ID card.

Important: The form cannot be submitted by mail or online. In-person appearance with the current physical card is mandatory.

Fees for a Corrected Driver’s License or ID Card

According to the form instructions:

  • Corrected Driver’s License: $5
  • Corrected Identification Card: $10

Payment is made at the Driver Services facility at the time of issuance. Acceptable payment methods follow standard Secretary of State facility rules.

Where to Submit the Form?

Visit any Illinois Secretary of State full-service Driver Services facility. You can locate the nearest facility and check hours or appointment requirements on the official website:

Illinois Secretary of State – Official Website

The form itself lists the Driver Services Field Headquarters address for reference:

2701 S. Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62723
Phone: 217-782-7044

Related Privacy Options for Illinois Residents

Illinois offers several address-privacy tools for individuals in sensitive professions or circumstances:

  • Peace officers may use Form DSD A 281 to substitute a business address.
  • Judicial officers and others may request suppression of personal information under separate statutes and forms.
  • General address changes for the public are handled online or in person through the standard address-change process, which must be reported within 10 days of moving under Illinois Vehicle Code Section 6-116.

Form DSD A 398 is specifically tailored to the listed DCFS job titles and is not available to other state employees or the general public.

Tips for a Smooth Process

  • Double-check that every piece of personal data matches your current card exactly.
  • Coordinate with your DCFS supervisor or administrator in advance so the required signature is ready.
  • Bring your physical driver’s license or ID card; a photocopy is not sufficient.
  • Arrive during facility operating hours and allow time for processing.
  • Keep a copy of the completed form for your records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reverse the address change later?
Yes. The same form allows you to request that the business address be changed back to your residence address.

Does this change affect vehicle registration?
No. Driver’s license/ID records and vehicle registration records are separate systems. Update vehicle registration independently if needed.

Is the form available in other languages?
The official form is published in English. Contact your local Driver Services facility if language assistance is required.

Where can I find the most current version of the form?
Always download the latest version directly from the Illinois Secretary of State website to ensure you have the current edition.

Conclusion

Form DSD A 398 provides a straightforward, legally authorized way for eligible Illinois DCFS employees to safeguard their home addresses on official identification documents. By following the steps outlined above and submitting the form in person with the required signatures and fees, qualified staff can obtain a corrected driver’s license or ID card that lists their business address instead of their residence.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official Illinois Secretary of State resources:

This article is intended for informational purposes for U.S. residents, particularly those in Illinois. Requirements may change; verify details with the Illinois Secretary of State or your DCFS administrator before submitting any request.

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