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Legal Information: North Carolina

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
December 22, 2023

Can I have my out-of-state protection order changed, extended, or canceled in North Carolina?

Generally, only the state that issued your protection order can change, extend, or cancel the order. You likely cannot have this done by a court in North Carolina.

To have your order changed, extended, or canceled, you will have to file a motion or petition in the court where the order was issued. You may be able to request that you attend the court hearing by telephone rather than in person, so that you do not need to return to the state where the abuser is living. To find out more information about how to modify a restraining order, see the Restraining Orders page for the state where your order was issued.

If your order does expire while you are living in North Carolina, you may be able to get a new one issued in North Carolina but this may be difficult to do if no new incidents of abuse have occurred in North Carolina. To find out more information on how to get a protective order in North Carolina, visit our NC Restraining Orders page.