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Legal Information: Kentucky

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
November 15, 2023

How do I get my DVO enforced in another state? 

Federal law does not require you to take any special steps to get your domestic violence order (DVO) 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 DVO 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: It is important to keep a copy of your DVO 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 a special copy of my DVO to it enforced?

In some states, you will need a certified copy of your DVO. A certified copy says that it is a “true and correct” copy; it is signed and initialed by the clerk of court that gave you the order, and usually has some kind of court stamp on it. In Kentucky, the copy you first receive from the court is a certified copy. 

It is a good idea to keep a copy of the order with you at all times. You will also want to bring several copies of the order with you when you move. 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. Give a copy to the security guard or person at the front desk where you live and/or work. Give a copy of the order to anyone who is named in and protected by the order.

Can I get someone to help me?  Do I need a lawyer?

You do not need a lawyer to get your DVO enforced in another state. However, you may want to get help from a local domestic violence advocate or attorney in the state that you move to. A domestic violence advocate can let you know what the advantages and disadvantages are for registering your DVO, and help you through the process if you decide to do so. To find a domestic violence advocate or an attorney in the state you are moving to, please visit our KY Places that Help page.

Do I need to tell the court in Kentucky if I move?

If you won’t be getting mail at your old address, you may want to notify the court of your new address. The court that gave you your DVO needs to have an up-to-date address for you if you move because they will communicate with you only by mail if anything happens to your DVO; for example, if the abuser asks the court to modify or dismiss the order.  If you provide your new address to the court, ask that they keep it in a confidential part of your file, so the public will not have access to it. However, your new address could possibly be released to court officials in your new state or law enforcement officials in either Kentucky or your new state. If you feel unsafe giving your new address, you can use the address of a friend you trust or a P.O. Box instead.