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Legal Information: New Hampshire

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
August 10, 2023

How do I know if my protective order is good under federal law?

Most New Hampshire protective orders are written so that they are valid under federal law.  A New Hampshire protective order, stalking protective order, or no contact order is good anywhere in the United States as long as:

  • It was issued to prevent violent or threatening acts, harassing behavior, sexual violence, or it was issued to prevent another person from coming near you or contacting you.1
  • The court that issued the order had jurisdiction over the people and case. (In other words, the court had the authority to hear the case.)
  • The abuser received notice of the order and had an opportunity to go to court to tell his/her side of the story.
    • In the case of ex parte temporary and emergency orders, the abuser must receive notice and have an opportunity to go to court to tell his/her side of the story at a hearing that is scheduled before the temporary order expires.2

If you have any questions about whether or not your protective order is good under federal law, you can bring your order to a lawyer or domestic violence program in your area.  They can take a look at your order and help you figure it out.  To find a lawyer in your area please visit the NH Finding a Lawyer page.

Note: For information on enforcing a military protective order (MPO) off the military installation, or enforcing a civil protection order (CPO) on a military installation, please see our Military Protective Orders page. 

1 18 U.S.C. § 2266(5)
2 18 U.S.C. § 2265(a) & (b)