English
EspañolCan I get my RO (protection order) enforced in another state? (full faith and credit)
Restraining orders receive what is called “full faith and credit” in all 50 states and US territories, meaning that they can be enforced anywhere in the United States. A person does not need to file for a new protection order in each state where s/he may live; s/he should be able to show his/her current order to the police in any state to get it enforced if it is violated. You can see more information about moving out of state with a restraining order on our website. [LINK TO “Moving to Another State with a Restraining Order” FROM STATE RO PAGE]
I am not sure of your particular situation regarding the terms of your protection order but, for example, if a victim has an order that prohibits contact with the victim and/or with a child that was issued in one state, those same prohibitions should continue to be in effect in any state.
According to federal law, which applies to all states, a victim does not have to register the protection order with the court in order to get it enforced by the police. However, registration with the court does sometimes make it easier to get it enforced because then it is put in the state’s domestic violence protection order registry. It may also generally take less time for police officers to verify that it is a “valid” (real) restraining order when the police is called upon to enforce it. You can see more information about registering an order on our website. [LINK TO “Enforcing your Out-Of-State Order in STATE” FROM STATE RO PAGE]
Under the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which applies to all U.S. states and territories, the court is not permitted to notify the abuser when a protective order has been registered or filed in a new state unless the victim specifically requests that the abuser be notified. However, you may wish to confirm that the clerk is aware of this law before registering the order if your address is confidential.
If you have trouble getting your order enforced in another state or you have questions about registration or enforcement, you may also find guidance/information by calling the National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith & Credit at 1(800) 903-0111, prompt 2.
