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Legal Information: Iowa

Restraining Orders

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Laws current as of August 5, 2024

What happens if I move?

Your protective order is automatically good throughout Iowa as well as in all other states, U.S. territories, and tribal lands. Federal law provides what is called “full faith and credit.” This means that once you have a criminal or civil protective order, it is valid wherever you go in the U.S.1 

Different states may have different rules for enforcing out-of-state protective orders. You may want to talk to a local domestic violence program in the state where you will be living for more information.

You may also call the National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith & Credit for information on enforcing an out-of-state order. Call 1-800-903-0111, ext. 2.

Note: There are special rules about military protective orders (MPO). If you have an MPO and are moving off the installation, please see our Military Protective Orders page.

1 18 U.S.C. §§ 2265; 2266

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