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EspañolHow do I get my protection order enforced in another state?
You don’t have to take any special steps to get your domestic abuse protection order enforced in another state.
Many states have a process to register or file an out-of-state order, making enforcement easier if the order is violated. However, you can still get your valid domestic abuse protection order enforced in another state even if you don’t register or file it.1 For your safety, always keep a copy of your protection order with you.
It can help to know the rules in any state where you plan to live or visit, which may help you get the police or courts to enforce your order quickly.
You can contact a local domestic violence organization for more information by visiting our Advocates and Shelters page and choosing your new state from the drop-down menu.
1 18 U.S.C. § 2265(d)(2)
Do I need anything special to get my protection order enforced in another state?
In some states, you will need a certified copy of your protection order. A certified copy says that it is a “true and correct” copy. It’s also signed and initialed by the clerk of court and usually has some kind of court stamp.
The copy you originally got may or may not have been a certified copy. If you do not have a certified copy, call or go to the court that gave you the order. Ask the clerk’s office for a certified copy. You can find contact information on our Mississippi Courthouse Locations page.
Note: It’s a good idea to keep a copy of the order with you at all times. Bring several copies with you when you move. Leave copies at your workplace, at your home, at your children’s school or daycare, in your car, with a trusted neighbor, and so on. Give a copy to the security guard or the front desk person, if there is one, where you live or work. Give a copy of the protection order to anyone who is named in and protected by the order.
Can I get someone to help me? Do I need a lawyer?
You do not need a lawyer to get your protection order enforced in another state.
However, you may want to get help from a local domestic violence advocate or attorney in the state that you move to. A domestic violence advocate can tell you what the advantages and disadvantages are for registering your restraining order. They may also be able to help you through the process if you decide to register it.
To find a domestic violence advocate or an attorney in the state you’re moving to, select your state from the menu on our Places that Help page.
Do I need to tell the court in Mississippi if I move?
You don’t have to tell the court in Mississippi if you move, but it might be a good idea to give the court a current address. This is because the court will communicate with you by mail if anything happens in your case - for example, if the abuser asks the judge to change or end the order.
If you give your new address to the court, you can ask that it be kept confidential. The clerk should be able to tell you if that’s possible or not.
