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Legal Information: Texas

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
July 28, 2023

What if I don't register my protective order? Will it be more difficult to have it enforced?

In Texas, you do not have to register your protective order to get it enforced.1  However, if your order is not entered into the state registry, it may be more difficult for a Texas law enforcement official to determine whether your order is real and therefore it could take longer to get your order enforced.  Additionally, when you register your order in Texas, you will be given a certified copy of the registered order which should be easier for Texas law enforcement to recognize.2  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 Texas.  To see a list of local domestic violence organizations in Texas, go to our TX Advocates and Shelters page.

1 Tex. Fam. Code § 88.004(e)
2 Tex. Fam. Code § 88.005(b)