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EspañolWhat 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 Indiana, 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 Indiana.
Note: Most law enforcement officials have access to the NCIC, but the information is encrypted so outsiders cannot access it.1
1 See the FBI website
Do I have to register my order for protection in Indiana in order to get it enforced?
Indiana state law gives full protection to an out-of-state protection order as long as you can show the officer a copy of the order that appears to be valid.1 The order does not have to be entered into the state or federal registry in order to be enforced by an Indiana police officer, but the officer does need to believe that it is a valid (real) order.2
1 IC § 34-26-5-17
2 IC §§ 34-26-5-17(e),(g)(1)
How do I register my order for protection in Indiana?
To register your protection order in Indiana, you need to fill out a Registration of Foreign Protection Order Form (PO-0119) and bring the form along with a certified copy of your order to the clerk at the court where you live. The clerk will send the information to the local law enforcement agency for entrance into the Indiana Data and Communications System (IDACS) as well as the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Registry.1
If you need help registering your protection order, you can contact a local domestic violence organization in Indiana for assistance. You can find contact information for organizations in your area here on our Indiana Places that Help page.
1 IC §§ 5-2-9-6; 34-26-5-17
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 Indiana Advocates and Shelters page.
1 18 USC § 2265(d)
What if I don't register my protection order? Will it be more difficult to have it enforced?
Neither federal law nor Indiana state law require that you register your protection order in order to get it enforced, so it should not be more difficult to get your protection order enforced even if you do not register it in Indiana. A police officer is required to enforce your order as long as you can show the officer a copy of the order that appears to be valid.1 This is why we highly recommend having at least one paper copy of your order at all times.
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 Indiana. To see a list of local domestic violence organizations in Indiana, go to Indiana Places that Help.
1 IC § 34-26-5-17(c), (e), (g)
