Considerations When Safety Planning with Criminalized Survivors
(March 2026) Advocates who are working with charged or convicted survivors can provide critical guidance through the safety planning process…
Matrices
The National Center for Protection Orders and Full Faith & Credit is committed to being the go-to source for protection order resources. Below are links to statutory compilations of U.S. state and Territory laws pertaining to a specific protection order issue. These matrices have been used by prosecutors, attorneys, state coalitions, legislators and other system actors to provide a birds-eye view of the national landscape on a particular issue. They have served as a starting point for attorneys in their own jurisdiction for their research. Please independently verify information in the matrices as statutes are constantly changing. If you have questions or proposed changes, please do not hesitate to contact us at ncffc.org.
Updated in 2025
Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Matrix
This matrix summarizes states that have issued extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) or have enacted preemptive laws on ERPOs.
Protection Order Service of Process Statutes
This matrix lists jurisdictions and their relevant statutes that govern service of protection orders, including foreign or out of state protection orders.
State Protection Order Registration Statutes
This matrix summarizes the requirements for registering an out-of-jurisdiction protection order in a state registry.
State Protection Order Duration Statutes
This matrix contains information on emergency, temporary, ex parte and final protection order durations for states and other jurisdictions.
Updated in 2024
State and Territorial Full Faith and Credit Statutes
This statutory compilation outlines states and territories with full faith and credit statutes for enforcement of protection orders, the definitions of key terms, and the state or territory’s procedures for filing, registration, and enforcement by courts and law enforcement.
Protection Order Modification and Extension Statutes
This matrix provides the statutory provisions for modifications and extension of protection orders.
Definition of Domestic Violence/Abuse in Civil Protection Orders
This matrix outlines the statutory definitions of abuse or domestic violence across states and other U.S. jurisdiction
Updated in 2023
Unauthorized Practice of Law Matrix
Unauthorized practice of law is any act where someone not authorized to practice law provides services that can only be performed by those authorized to do so. The following statutes highlight states’ and territories’ statutes, including criminal penalties, on the unauthorized practice of law.
This matrix outlines states and territories that issue stalking protection orders, specifying eligibility criteria, available relief measures, and penalties for violations.
State Registry and Database Statutes
This matrix provides an overview of state and other U.S. jurisdictions that have enacted laws that outline the entry of protection orders into a database/registry.
Advocate Confidentiality Statutes
Some jurisdictions have legal protections that make communication between an advocate and a survivor confidential. This matrix contains state and other jurisdictions’ advocate confidentiality statutes.
Sealing or Expunging Civil Protection Order Statutes
This matrix compiles the statutory provisions from states and other U.S. jurisdictions for sealing or expunging court records and orders specific to civil protection order proceedings.
State Venue and Petition Requirements
This matrix outlines the venue requirements and essential information required for a domestic violence protection order petition in each state/jurisdiction.
State Address Confidentiality Statutes
This matrix contains state and other jurisdictions’ statutes regarding access to address confidentiality programs and processes. It also provides the state’s website, if available, to find more information about the program.
Updated in 2022
States Allowing Juveniles Access to Protection Orders
This matrix compiles statutory provisions from states and jurisdictions on how minor-aged survivors can file for protection orders, the necessary relationship criteria, and other relevant legal considerations for minor petitioners.
Predominant Aggressor Statutes
This matrix compiles statutory provisions from states and U.S. jurisdictions that direct law enforcement officers to arrest the predominant/primary/principal aggressor in domestic violence situations.
“No Fees” Matrix. State Protection Order Statutes Prohibiting Fees
This matrix provides an overview of state and other U.S. jurisdictions’ statutes that set forth the principles of VAWA’s no fee provision: prohibiting fees associated with the filing, issuance, registration, modification, enforcement, dismissal, withdrawal, or service of process for a protection order (or petition for a protection order).
State Statutory Provisions Addressing Issuance of a Mutual Protection Order or Cross-Orders
This matrix contains state and other jurisdictions’ statutes that address the issuance and enforcement of mutual protection orders.