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EspañolWhat is the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Registry? Who has access to it?
The National Crime Information Center Registry (NCIC) is a nationwide, electronic database used by law enforcement agencies in the U.S, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It is managed by the FBI and state law enforcement officials.
The state that issued your protection order may already have entered it into the NCIC when you got it. If not, your order can be entered into the NCIC if you register it in Hawai‘i. All law enforcement officials have access to the NCIC, but the information is encrypted, so outsiders cannot access it.1
1 See the FBI website
How do I register my protection order in Hawai‘i? Does it cost anything?
To register your out-of-state protection order in Hawai‘i, you’ll need to file the following two documents at a courthouse near you:
- a certified copy of your protection order; and
- a sworn affidavit (written statement) that says the order is still effective.1
There is no fee to file your out-of-state protection order.1
If you need help, contact a domestic violence organization in Hawai‘i. You can find contact information for organizations in your area on our Hawai‘i Advocates and Shelters page.
1 Haw. Rev. Stat. § 586-23
Do I have to register my out-of-state protection order in Hawai‘i before I can get it enforced?
Your out-of-state protection order does not have to be entered into the state or federal registry to be enforced in Hawai‘i.1 Law enforcement officers in Hawai‘i will enforce an out-of-state protection order as long as it appears to be “authentic on its face.” An order will be considered “authentic on its face” if:
- it contains the names of both parties; and
- it’s currently in effect, which means it hasn’t expired yet.2
If you don’t have a paper copy of your order, an officer can try to verify its existence and authenticity through other methods. They may do this by checking a national or state centralized registry for protective orders, or by speaking with “appropriate authorities” in the state that issued your order.3
The abuser can be arrested for the violation if Hawai‘i law would allow an abuser to be arrested for a similar violation of an order from Hawai‘i.4
1 Haw. Rev. Stat. § 586-23
2 Haw. Rev. Stat. § 586-24(a)
3 Haw. Rev. Stat. § 586-24(b)
4 Haw. Rev. Stat. § 586-24(c)
Will the abuser be notified if I register my out-of-state protection order?
The federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which applies to all U.S. states and territories, addresses this issue. VAWA says that the court cannot tell the abuser when you register or file your protection order in a new state unless you specifically request that the abuser be notified.1 However, you may wish to confirm that the clerk is aware of this law before you register your order. You may want to be especially careful if your address is confidential.
Despite this law, it’s still possible that the abuser could somehow find out where you’re living. Please continue to think about your safety, even if you and the abuser no longer live in the same state. Our Safety Planning page has tips to get you started or build on what you’re already doing. A local domestic violence organization can help you make a safety plan that works for you. To find organizations in your area, visit our Hawai‘i Advocates and Shelters page.
1 18 U.S.C. § 2265(d)
If I don't register my out-of-state protection order, will it be more difficult to have it enforced?
According to federal and state laws, you do not need to register your protection order to get it enforced in Hawai‘i.1 However, if your order is not entered into the state registry, it may be harder for a Hawai‘ian law enforcement official to confirm your order is authentic. So, it could take longer to get your order enforced.
If you’re not sure whether or not registering your order in Hawai‘i is right for you, you may want to talk with a local domestic violence advocate. S/he can help you decide what is safest in your situation. You can find domestic violence organizations in Hawai‘i on our Hawai‘i Advocates and Shelters page.
1 Haw. Rev. Stat. § 586-23
