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Child custody and parenting time

Safety and protective orders

If you or your child are in danger, get safe first. A protective order can include custody and visitation rules.

If you are in danger

If you are in danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is free, confidential and open 24/7, in English and Spanish: call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or chat at thehotline.org.

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Safety and protective orders

  • A protective order (also called a restraining order or order of protection) can include rules about child custody and visitation, if your state's law allows it. Your state page explains what your state's order can include.
  • A protective order from one state must be enforced in every other state, on tribal land and in U.S. territories. Police and courts there must treat it like their own order. This includes the custody and visitation parts.
  • You do not have to register your protective order in a new state for it to be enforced there. If you do register it, the other person will not be told unless you ask.
  • If both people got orders against each other, the order against the person who asked first may not be enforced in other states unless that person also filed papers asking for it, or the court found both people were entitled to an order.
  • The National Domestic Violence Hotline is free and open 24 hours a day, every day. Call 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE). Text START to 88788. Or chat live at thehotline.org. Help is available in Spanish.
  • Each state has a domestic violence coalition. It can point you to local shelters and programs. Find yours on the NNEDV list.
  • A safety plan is a personal plan to stay safer, including for your children. The Hotline has a safety planning guide, and advocates can help you make one.
  • If you fear the other parent, tell the court or the mediator. Many courts can hold mediation in separate rooms or at separate times.
  • Someone may be able to see what you do online. If you think your device is watched, use a safer device or call the Hotline.

Where to get help now

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Free, private help 24/7 by phone, text or chat. Spanish available.

1-800-799-7233 (text START to 88788)

https://www.thehotline.org/

State domestic violence coalitions (NNEDV list)

Find your state's coalition and local programs.

https://nnedv.org/content/state-u-s-territory-coalitions/

Protective orders in your state

More guides and tools

Sources

Last checked: November 2026