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Legal Information: Washington

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
December 15, 2023

How do I get my domestic violence protection order enforced in another state?

Federal law does not require you to take any special steps to get your domestic violence protection order enforced in another state.

Many states do have laws or rules about registering or filing out-of-state orders, which can make enforcement easier, but a valid domestic violence protection order 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.

1 18 U.S.C. § 2265(d)(2)

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