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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.
Before moving to New Mexico, 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 NM.
Note: Most law enforcement officials have access to the NCIC, but the information is encrypted so outsiders cannot access it.
How do I register my protection order in New Mexico?
Take your protection order to the local courthouse. This does not need to be a certified protection order. The court clerk will have you fill out a coversheet. The order is then added to NCIC, if it is not already entered. For more information about NCIC, see the next question.
If you need help registering your protection order, you can contact a local domestic violence organization in New Mexico for assistance. You can find contact information for organizations in your area here on our NM Advocates and Shelters page.
Do I have to register my protection order in NM in order to get it enforced?
New Mexico state law gives full protection to an out-of-state protection order.1
However, if you petitioned for a protection order and the court issued both you and your abuser protection orders (mutual protection orders), and your abuser did not file his/her own petition for the protection order, then New Mexico may not enforce your protection order.
1 N.M. Stat. § 40-13-6(E)
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 NM 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?
While neither federal law nor state law requires that you register your protection order in order to get it enforced, if your order is not entered into the state registry, it may be more difficult for a NM law enforcement official to determine whether your order is real. Meaning, it could take longer to get your order enforced.
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 New Mexico. To see a list of local domestic violence organizations in NM, go to our NM Advocates and Shelters page under the Places that Help tab on the top of this page.
Does it cost anything to register my protection order?
There is no fee for registering your protection order in New Mexico.
