English
EspañolWhat is a “foreign” order?
A foreign order is an order of protection from a state or territory other than the CNMI. In this context, foreign does not refer to a different country.
Can I get my order of protection enforced in the CNMI? What are the requirements?
Your order of protection can be enforced in the CNMI as long as:
- It was issued to prevent violent or threatening acts, harassing behavior, or sexual violence, or it was issued to prevent another person from coming near you or contacting you.1
- The court that issued the order had jurisdiction over the people and case. (In other words, the court had the authority to hear the case.)
- The abuser received notice of the order and had an opportunity to go to court to tell his/her side of the story.
- In the case of ex parte temporary and emergency orders, the abuser must receive notice and have an opportunity to go to court to tell his/her side of the story at a hearing that is scheduled before the temporary order expires.2
Note: For information on enforcing a military protective order (MPO) off the military installation, or enforcing a civil protection order (CPO) on a military installation, please see our Military Protective Orders page.
1 18 U.S.C. § 2266(5)
2 18 U.S.C. § 2265(a), (b)
Can I have my foreign order of protection changed, extended, or canceled in the CNMI?
Generally, only the state or territory that issued your protection order can change, extend, or cancel it. You will likely have to file a motion or petition in the court where the order was issued. You may be able to ask to attend the court hearing by telephone or video rather than in person so that you do not need to return to the place where the abuser lives. You could find out if this is possible by calling the clerk of the court that issued your order. To learn more about changing your order, see the Restraining Orders page for the state where your order was issued. To get the contact information for the court that issued your order, go to our Courthouse Locations page and choose the state from the drop-down menu.
If your order expires while you are living in the CNMI, you may be able to get a new order of protection in the CNMI. However, this may be difficult to do if no new incidents of abuse have occurred in the CNMI.
I was granted temporary custody with my foreign order of protection. Will I still have temporary custody of my children in the CNMI?
As long as the child custody part of your order meets the standards of certain federal laws, the CNMI can enforce it.1
To have someone read your order and tell you if it meets these standards, contact a lawyer. You can find legal referrals on our CNMI Finding a Lawyer page.
1 The federal laws are the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act (UCCJA) or the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), and the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act of 1980.
