What is the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Registry? Who has access to it?
The National Crime Information Center Registry (NCIC) is a nationwide, electronic database used by law enforcement agencies in the U.S, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It is managed by the FBI and state law enforcement officials.
Before moving to Hawaii, the state that issued your protection order may already have entered your order into the NCIC. If not, your order will be entered into the NCIC once your order is registered in HI.
Note: Most law enforcement officials have access to the NCIC, but the information is encrypted so outsiders cannot access it.
How do I register my protection order in Hawaii? Does it cost anything?
You may wish to file your out-of-state protection order in Hawaii by getting a certified copy of your protection order along with a sworn affidavit (written statement) that says the order is still effective. There is no fee to file your out-of-state protection order.1
If you need help registering your protection order, you can contact a local domestic violence organization in Hawaii for assistance. You can find contact information for organizations in your area here on our Hawaii Advocates and Shelters page.
1 HRS § 586-23
Do I have to register my protection order in Hawaii in order to get it enforced?
Your out-of state protection order does not have to be entered into the state or federal registry in order to be enforced by a Hawaii police officer. Hawaii state law gives full protection to an out-of-state protection order as long as you can show the police officer a copy of the order and the order appears to be authentic, containing the names of both parties and is active.1 A police officer can also verify the existence of an order through the registry without needing a paper copy.2
If the officer finds that the abuser has violated the out-of-state protection order, s/he can arrest the abuser for violating the order in the same way an abuser would be arrested for violating an order from Hawaii.3
1 HRS § 586-24(a)
2 HRS § 586-24(b)
3 HRS § 586-24(c)
Will the abuser be notified if I register my protection order?
Under the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which applies to all U.S. states and territories, the court is not permitted to notify the abuser when a protective order has been registered or filed in a new state unless you specifically request that the abuser be notified.1 However, you may wish to confirm that the clerk is aware of this law before registering the order if your address is confidential.
However, remember that there may be a possibility that the abuser could somehow find out what state you have moved to. It is important to continue to safety plan, even if you are no longer in the state where the abuser is living. We have some safety planning tips to get you started on our Safety Planning page. You can also contact a local domestic violence organization to get help in developing a personalized safety plan. You will find contact information for organizations in your area on our Hawaii Advocates and Shelters page.
1 18 USC § 2265(d)
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 in order to get it enforced, if your order is not entered into the state registry, it may be more difficult for a Hawaii law enforcement official to determine whether your order is real and therefore it could take longer to get your order enforced.
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 Hawaii. To see a list of local domestic violence organizations in HI, go to our Hawaii Advocates and Shelters page.