Restraining Orders

If you won’t be receiving mail at your old address, the court that issued your protective order needs to have an up-to-date address for you. That’s because they may communicate with you by mail if anything happens to your protective order. For example, the abuser may ask the court to modify or dismiss the order, and they would need to notify you about this.

If you provide your new address to the court, they should keep it confidential, but please double-check this with the court clerk. Your new address may be released to court officials in your new state or to law enforcement officials. If you feel unsafe sharing your new address, you might want to use a friend’s address you trust or a P.O. Box instead.