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EspañolHow do I get my protective order enforced in another state?
You don’t have to take any special steps to get your protective order enforced in another state.
Many states have a process to register or file an out-of-state order to make it easier to enforce if the abuser breaks the order. However, you can still get your valid protective order enforced in another state even if you don’t register or file it.1 For your safety, always keep a copy of your protective order with you.
It can help to know the rules in any state where you plan to live or visit, which may help you get the police or courts to enforce your order quickly.
You can contact a local domestic violence organization for more information by visiting our Advocates and Shelters page and choosing your new state in the drop-down menu.
1 18 U.S.C. § 2265(d)(2)
Can I get someone to help me? Do I need a lawyer?
You do not need a lawyer to get your protective order enforced in another state.
However, you may want to get help from a lawyer, or from a local domestic violence advocate, in the state that you move to. A domestic violence advocate can tell you what the advantages and disadvantages are for registering your protective order. S/he may also be able to help you through the process if you decide to register it. To find a domestic violence advocate or an attorney in your new state, go to our Places that Help page and select that state from the drop-down menu.
Do I need to tell the court in Kentucky if I move?
The court that gave you your protective order may need to have an up-to-date address for you at all times. Most courts will only communicate with you by mail if anything happens in your case - for example, if the abuser asks the judge to change the order. If you won’t be able to get mail at your old address after you move, you may want to tell the court what your new address is.
In Kentucky, the court is supposed to keep your address confidential automatically.1 However, your new address could possibly be released to:
- court officials in your new state; or
- law enforcement officials in either Kentucky or your new state.
If you feel unsafe giving your new physical address, you can use the address of a friend you trust or a P.O. Box instead.
1 Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 403.745(9); 456.070(9)
