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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 Kentucky.1 All law enforcement officials have access to the NCIC database, but the information is encrypted so outsiders cannot access it.2
1 See Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 403.7527; 456.110; see also the Law Information Network of Kentucky Provisions and Guidelines
2 See the FBI website
How do I register my protection order in Kentucky?
In order to register (authenticate) your out-of-state order in Kentucky, you can file a certified copy of your order in district court or circuit court. A certified copy generally has a court seal or stamp, and the signature of the clerk or judge. If you don’t have a certified copy, see Can I register my protection order if I do not have a certified copy? for more information.
Your order will then be presented to the judge. S/he will read over it and add any information that is necessary for entry into the Law Information Network of Kentucky (LINK) system. LINK is a statewide database of protection orders in Kentucky that all law enforcement officers have access to. If you need to enforce your order, officers will check the LINK system to help make sure it is valid.1 That’s why it can be helpful to register your order in Kentucky.
Once your order has been reviewed by the judge and entered into the LINK system, it will be considered authenticated. You will receive a certified copy of an affidavit that declares your order authenticated. Your order can then be enforced in any county in Kentucky, just as if it were a Kentucky protective order.2
To find a courthouse near you, go to our Kentucky Courthouse Locations page.
If you need help registering your protection order, you can contact a local domestic violence organization in Kentucky for assistance. You can find contact information for organizations in your area on our Kentucky Advocates and Shelters page.
1 Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 403.7527(1)-(3); 456.140(1)-(3)
2 Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 403.7529); 456.150
Do I have to register my protection order in Kentucky in order to get it enforced?
Kentucky state law gives full protection to an out-of-state protection order as long as you can show the officer a copy of the order and truthfully say that you believe it is still in effect. Your order does not have to be entered into the state or federal registry in order to be enforced by a Kentucky police officer, but the officer does need to believe that the order has not expired.1
1 Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 403.7521; 456.120
Can I register my protection order if I do not have a certified copy?
It is possible to register your order without a certified copy, but it’s a more complicated process.
Here are the steps for registering an uncertified order:
- Bring the uncertified copy to a courthouse in Kentucky.
- Your order will be filed, and will be considered valid for 14 days, which means it can be enforced during that time.
- The Kentucky clerk will contact the courthouse that issued your order and ask them to send a certified copy.1
Once Kentucky receives the certified copy of your order, it will be entered into the Law Information Network of Kentucky (LINK) system. LINK is a statewide database of protection orders in Kentucky that all law enforcement officers have access to. The clerk should let you know when your order has been registered. If you don’t hear anything from the clerk after a few weeks, you may want to check to make sure that the court received a certified copy of your order.
If your order does expire, you may be able file for a Kentucky protective order if you qualify. A local domestic violence organization may be able to help with this process. You can find contact information for local organizations on our Kentucky Advocates and Shelters page.
1 Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 403.7527(3); 456.140(3)
Will the abuser be notified if I register my 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 check 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 is still possible that the abuser could somehow find out where you are living. Continue to think about your safety, even if you no longer live in the same state as the abuser. Our Safety Planning page has tips to get you started or build upon what you are 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 Kentucky Advocates and Shelters page.
1 18 U.S.C. § 2265(d)
What if I don't register my 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 Kentucky.1 However, if your order is not entered into the state registry, it may be harder for a Kentucky law enforcement official to check if your order is valid. So, it could take longer to get your order enforced.
If you are unsure about whether registering your order in Kentucky is right for you, you may want to talk with a domestic violence advocate. An advocate can help you decide what is safest for you. You can find domestic violence organizations in Kentucky on our Kentucky Advocates and Shelters page.
1 Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 403.7521; 456.120
Does it cost anything to register my protection order?
There is no cost to register your order in Kentucky.1
1 Ky. Rev. Stat. § 456.070(2); see also Ky. Rev. Stat. § 403.745(2)
