WomensLaw serves and supports all survivors, no matter their sex or gender.

Legal Information: Virginia

Restraining Orders

View all
Updated: 
December 19, 2023

What happens to my order if I move? Is it still valid?

Your order is valid and enforceable wherever you go throughout Virginia.

Additionally, the federal law provides what is called “full faith and credit,” which means that once you have a criminal or civil protection order, it follows you wherever you go, including U.S. territories and tribal lands.  Different states have different rules for enforcing out-of-state protection orders.  

If you are moving out of state, please check the Restraining Orders pages for that state on this website for information on how to have your order enforced there.

Please see our Moving to Another State with a Protective Order section for more information about moving out of Virginia with your protective order.

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.

Legal Information

© 2008–2024 WomensLaw.org is a project of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Inc. All rights reserved. This website is funded in part through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). NNEDV is a 501©(3) non-profit organization; EIN 52-1973408.