Restraining Orders

According to federal and state laws, you do not need to register your restraining order to get it enforced in Rhode Island. However, if your order is not entered into the national or state restraining order registry, it may be harder for a law enforcement officer to check if it is valid. So, it could take longer to get your order enforced. However, if you have a certified copy of your restraining order with you when the police arrive, or if it is listed in the National Criminal Information Center (NCIC) registry, then it may not matter if your order is registered in Rhode Island or not.

If you are unsure if registering your order 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 advocates in Rhode Island on our Advocates and Shelters page.