Restraining Orders

Montana state law gives full protection to an out-of-state protection order even if it is not registered, as long as the officer can determine that the order is real and that it has not expired yet. The order must identify both you and the abuser and appear to be currently in effect.

While it may be helpful to show the officer a certified copy of the order, a certified copy is not required for enforcement. If you do not have any copy of the order with you, the officer may consider other information when deciding whether or not there is a valid protection order in place. It is important to know that without a copy of the protection order, the officer may decide that s/he cannot enforce your order.¹

¹ Mont. Code § 40-15-404