English
EspañolHow do I get my relief from abuse order enforced in another state?
Federal law does not require you to take any special steps to get your relief from abuse order enforced in another state.
Many states do have laws or regulations (rules) about registering or filing of out-of-state orders, which can make enforcement easier, but a valid relief from abuse order is enforceable regardless of whether it has been registered or filed in the new state.1 Rules differ from state to state, so it may be helpful to find out what the rules are in your new state. You can contact a local domestic violence organization for more information by visiting our Advocates and Shelters page and entering your new state in the drop-down menu.
Note: In Vermont, the court administrator is required to prepare a form that will make it easier for courts in other states to enforce a Vermont relief from abuse order. Local domestic violence organizations should also have relief from abuse order envelopes that you can put your order in to make enforcement easier.
Note: It is important to keep a copy of your restraining order with you at all times. It is also a good idea to know the rules of states you will be living in or visiting to ensure that your out-of-state order can be enforced in a timely manner.
1 18 U.S.C. § 2265(d)(2)
Do I need anything special to get my relief from abuse order enforced?
In most states, you will need a certified copy of your relief from abuse order. A certified copy says that it is a “true and correct” copy; in Vermont, a certified copy has a raised seal. If your copy is not a certified copy, call or go to the court that gave you the order and ask for a certified copy. You can find contact information for courthouses in Vermont on our VT Courthouse Location page.
Note: It may be a good idea to keep a copy of the order with you at all times. You may also want to bring several copies of the order with you when you move to leave copies of the order at your work place, at your home, at the children’s school or daycare, in your car, with a sympathetic neighbor, and so on. You may want to give a copy to the security guard or person at the front desk where you live and/or work and to anyone who is named in and protected by the order.
¿Puede obtener ayuda? ¿Necesito un abogado?
Usted no necesita un abogado para que su DVPO sea respetada en otro estado.
Sin embargo, usted podría buscar ayuda de un defensor en una organización local de violencia doméstica o de un abogado en el estado al cual se mudará. Un defensor de violencia doméstica le informará sobre las ventajas y desventajas de registrar su DVPO y le ayudará en el proceso si usted decide registrar la orden.
Para encontrar un defensor de violencia doméstica o un abogado en el estado al cual usted se mudará, vaya a la página de Enlaces y Recursos y escoja el estado que desee. Luego, haga clic en Intercesoras y Albergues para encontrar albergues y organizaciones en su área.
