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Legal Information: California

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
January 11, 2024

What if I don't register my protection order? Will it be more difficult to have it enforced?

While neither federal law nor state law requires that you register your protection order  to get it enforced, if your order is not entered into the state registry, it may be more difficult for a California law enforcement official to determine whether your order is real, so it could take longer to get your order enforced. However, the officer is required to enforce the order if you can show him a copy that appears to be a valid order.1

If you are unsure about whether registering your order is the right decision for you, you may want to contact a local domestic violence organization in your area.  An advocate there can help you decide what the safest plan of action is for you in California.  To see a list of local domestic violence organizations in California, go to our CA Advocates and Shelters page.

1 Cal.Fam.Code § 6403(a)