English
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.
Before moving to Arizona, the state that issued your protection order may already have entered your order into the NCIC. If not, your order will be entered into the NCIC once your order is registered in AZ.
Note: Most law enforcement officials have access to the NCIC, but the information is encrypted so outsiders cannot access it.
Do I have to register my protection order in Arizona in order to get it enforced?
According to federal law,1 all states, including Arizona, must enforce an out-of-state protection order. Arizona gives full protection to an out-of-state protection order2 as long as you can show the officer a copy of the order and can truthfully tell the officer that you believe the order is still in effect.3 The order does not have to be registered or entered into the federal registry in order to be enforced by an Arizona police officer, but the officer does need to believe that it is a valid order.2
1 18 U.S.C. § 2265
2 See A.R.S. § 13-3602
3 A R.S. § 13-3602(L)
Will the abuser be notified if I register my protection order?
Under the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which applies to all U.S. states and territories, the court is not permitted to notify the abuser when a protective order has been registered or filed 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 registering the order if your address is confidential.
However, remember that there may be a possibility that the abuser could somehow find out what state you have moved to. It is important to continue to safety plan, even if you are no longer in the state where the abuser is living. We have some safety planning tips to get you started on our Staying Safe page. You can also contact a local domestic violence organization to get help in developing a personalized safety plan. You will find contact information for organizations in your area on our AZ Advocates and Shelters page.
1 18 USC § 2265(d)
What if I don't register my protection order? Will it be more difficult to have it enforced?
It should not be more difficult to have your order enforced because neither federal law1 nor state law2 requires that you register your protection order in order to get it enforced. Arizona state law also requires law enforcement officials to assume your order is real as long as you can show them a copy and tell them honestly that you think it is still in effect.3
However, if your order is not registered, then it will not be on file with the sheriff’s office, and it won’t be entered into the NCIC (although it might have been entered by the court that gave it to you). Therefore, it may be more difficult for an Arizona law enforcement official to determine whether your order is real.
If you are unsure about whether registering your order is the right decision for you, you may want to contact a local domestic violence organization in your area. An advocate there can help you decide what the safest plan of action is for you in Arizona. To see a list of local domestic violence organizations in Arizona, go to our AZ Advocates and Shelters page under the Places that Help tab at the top of this page.
1 18 U.S.C. § 2265
2 A.R.S. § 13-3602(L)
3 SeeA.R.S. § 13-3602
Does it cost anything to register my protection order?
There is no fee for registering your protection order in Arizona.
