Restraining Orders

It should not be more difficult to have your order enforced if you do not register it.  Illinois requires law enforcement officials to enforce an out-of-state protection order even if it has not been registered in Illinois as long as you can show the officer a copy of the order.¹ A certified copy of a protection order is automatically assumed to be valid, so you might want to keep a certified copy of your order with you.²

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 Illinois. To see a list of local domestic violence organizations in Illinois, go to our IL Advocates and Shelters page.

¹ 750 ILCS 60/301(b)
² 720 ILCS 5/12-30