Report Stalking in Your State: Where to Start

Why Reporting Differs by State

Stalking is defined and punished mainly by state law. The Office of Justice Programs notes that stalking is a crime in all 50 states and at the federal level, but each state writes its own definition, penalties, and civil remedies. As a result:

• Order names vary. One state's "peace order" is another's "harassment prevention order" or "civil stalking injunction."
• Who qualifies varies. Some orders are open to anyone being stalked. Others require a family or intimate relationship, or a pending criminal case.
• Where you file varies. Depending on the state, you may file in a district, circuit, superior, magistrate, or justice court, or through a family court.
• Agencies differ. Victim services, compensation programs, and address confidentiality programs sit in different departments in each state.
• Hotlines differ. Child and adult abuse reporting lines are state-specific.

Federal law fills some gaps when stalking crosses state lines or uses electronic communications. Read federal stalking laws explained.

What Every State Guide Includes

Each guide follows the same structure so you can compare states and find information quickly.

• Emergency and non-emergency contacts for state law enforcement.
• Statewide agencies, such as attorney general or public safety victim services and victim compensation programs.
• Local reporting, including how to reach police, sheriffs, and prosecutors.
• Protective orders, with the names of the orders available for stalking, who qualifies, and where to file.
• A step-by-step outline of reporting and getting an order.
• Specialized support, such as child abuse and adult protective services hotlines.
• A quick-reference contact sheet you can print.

The guides are also available as downloadable PDFs. Use the State Reporting Guide hub to browse them all.

How to Choose the Right Kind of Order

You don't need to know the name of the order to get started, but a few questions help you narrow it down.

1. Is the stalker a current or former partner, a family member, or someone who lives with you? If so, a domestic violence or family-related order may apply, and some states require it.
2. Is the stalker someone else, such as an acquaintance, coworker, neighbor, or stranger? Many states have a harassment, stalking, or peace order for these situations.
3. Is there a criminal case? A criminal no-contact order may be available as part of that case.
4. Do you need protection from a third party or online contact? Look for orders that cover indirect contact and electronic communication.

Read protection against stalking and use the TRO Builder to organize your facts before you file.

States With an Order Designed for Stalking by Anyone

These states have orders specifically for stalking, or that explicitly cover stalking regardless of your relationship to the stalker.

• [Connecticut](/state-reporting/connecticut/): a civil protection order for stalking by someone outside a family relationship.
• [Florida](/state-reporting/florida/): an Injunction for Protection Against Stalking, which covers cyberstalking.
• [Georgia](/state-reporting/georgia/): a Stalking Temporary Protective Order, separate from the family violence order.
• [Idaho](/state-reporting/idaho/): a Protection Order Against Stalking or Threats that covers electronic harassment.
• [Illinois](/state-reporting/illinois/): a Stalking No Contact Order, which requires more than one incident.
• [Kansas](/state-reporting/kansas/): a Protection From Stalking order.
• [Louisiana](/state-reporting/louisiana/): a protective order for stalking, separate from domestic and sexual assault orders.
• [Missouri](/state-reporting/missouri/): an Adult Abuse/Stalking Order of Protection, available regardless of relationship.
• [Montana](/state-reporting/montana/): an Order of Protection with no relationship requirement for stalking victims.
• [Nevada](/state-reporting/nevada/): a Protection Order Against Stalking or Harassment.
• [New Hampshire](/state-reporting/new-hampshire/): a Stalking Protective Order that does not require a prior relationship.
• [New Mexico](/state-reporting/new-mexico/): a Stalking and Sexual Abuse Restraining Order.
• [North Carolina](/state-reporting/north-carolina/): a 50C Civil No-Contact Order for stalking outside family or intimate relationships.
• [Ohio](/state-reporting/ohio/): a Civil Stalking Protection Order that doesn't require criminal charges.
• [Oregon](/state-reporting/oregon/): a stalking protective order available through police or court.
• [Pennsylvania](/state-reporting/pennsylvania/): a Protection From Intimidation order for stalking or harassment.
• [South Dakota](/state-reporting/south-dakota/): a protection order against stalking that doesn't depend on police involvement.
• [Tennessee](/state-reporting/tennessee/): an Order of Protection open to stalking victims regardless of relationship.
• [Utah](/state-reporting/utah/): a civil stalking injunction filed directly with the district court.
• [Vermont](/state-reporting/vermont/): an Order Against Stalking or Sexual Assault, filed in Superior Court.
• [Washington](/state-reporting/washington/): a Stalking Protection Order, plus anti-harassment orders.
• [West Virginia](/state-reporting/west-virginia/): a Personal Safety Order for stalking by someone who isn't a family member or partner.
• [Wyoming](/state-reporting/wyoming/): protection orders in three categories: domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

States That Use Harassment, Peace, or Restraining Orders

These states address stalking through harassment-type or restraining orders that can apply to people who are not family members.

• [Arizona](/state-reporting/arizona/): an Order of Protection or an Injunction Against Harassment.
• [California](/state-reporting/california/): civil harassment and domestic violence restraining orders.
• [Colorado](/state-reporting/colorado/): a civil protection order.
• [Hawaii](/state-reporting/hawaii/): a Family Court order for domestic situations and a District Court protective order for non-family situations.
• [Maine](/state-reporting/maine/): Protection from Harassment, which can be filed by email.
• [Maryland](/state-reporting/maryland/): a Peace Order that stranger-victims can use.
• [Massachusetts](/state-reporting/massachusetts/): a 258E Harassment Prevention Order regardless of relationship.
• [Michigan](/state-reporting/michigan/): a Personal Protection Order that covers stalking.
• [Minnesota](/state-reporting/minnesota/): a Harassment Restraining Order for stalking by anyone.
• [Nebraska](/state-reporting/nebraska/): a Harassment Protection Order that is not relationship-dependent.
• [New Jersey](/state-reporting/new-jersey/): a VASPA order for stalking and cyber-harassment, filed in Superior Court.
• [North Dakota](/state-reporting/north-dakota/): a Disorderly Conduct Restraining Order with no relationship requirement.
• [Oklahoma](/state-reporting/oklahoma/): a Victim Protective Order, with a police report required if the stalker isn't a family member.
• [Rhode Island](/state-reporting/rhode-island/): restraining orders that cover stalking and cyberstalking.
• [South Carolina](/state-reporting/south-carolina/): a restraining order for harassment or stalking in Magistrate's Court with no filing fee.
• [Texas](/state-reporting/texas/): a protective order for stalking victims, with no court fees.
• [Wisconsin](/state-reporting/wisconsin/): a harassment restraining order and injunction.

States Where Protection Leans on Domestic Relationships or a Criminal Case

In these states, the main protection route depends more heavily on a domestic relationship or a criminal case, so reporting to police is especially important.

• [Alabama](/state-reporting/alabama/): a Protection From Abuse order.
• [Alaska](/state-reporting/alaska/): domestic violence protective orders, including a short emergency order.
• [Arkansas](/state-reporting/arkansas/): an Order of Protection.
• [Delaware](/state-reporting/delaware/): a Protection From Abuse order through Family Court.
• [Indiana](/state-reporting/indiana/): a unified Protection Order that covers stalking, with e-filing available.
• [Iowa](/state-reporting/iowa/): a No Contact Order tied to a criminal case, plus civil protective orders.
• [Kentucky](/state-reporting/kentucky/): an Interpersonal Protective Order, available 24/7.
• [Mississippi](/state-reporting/mississippi/): a Domestic Abuse Protective Order, and for others a criminal route with a possible no-contact order.
• [Virginia](/state-reporting/virginia/): emergency, preliminary, and full protective orders, usually starting with a stalking warrant.
• [New York](/state-reporting/new-york/): orders of protection, explained in our combined state and New York City guide.

Always confirm the details with your state's court or agency. Rules change, and local practices differ.

State PDFs You Can Download and Print

Every state guide is available as a PDF that you can save, print, or give to a friend. They are designed to be printed and kept in a safe place, such as with your safety plan. Here are examples: Texas, California, Florida, and New York. The rest are linked from each state page.

Common Features Across States

Although the details differ, many states offer similar supports.

• Victim compensation programs that can help with costs such as medical care and counseling.
• Address confidentiality programs that let survivors use a substitute address. States we cover that offer them include Arizona, California, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
• Offender notification services that tell you when someone is released from custody.
• Child abuse and adult protective services hotlines, run by each state.
• Court self-help resources with forms and instructions for protective orders.

The Office for Victims of Crime lists services in every state in its Help in Your State directory.

When Your Situation Crosses State Lines

Stalking doesn't respect borders. You might have moved, the stalker might live in another state, or the contact might be online.

• A valid protection order is generally enforceable in other states, and federal law makes it a crime to cross state lines with the intent to violate one. See 18 U.S.C. 2262.
• Report in the state where incidents happened, and tell police about any contact across state lines.
• For internet-based or multistate conduct, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center accepts complaints. Read how to report online stalking.
• If you are moving to escape a stalker, consider an address confidentiality program in your new state, and update your safety plan. See how to build a safety plan.

The Department of Justice explains federal interstate stalking law on its interstate stalking page.

If a State Guide Looks Out of Date

Phone numbers, forms, and procedures change. Each guide says to confirm details with the agency. If you find something that is wrong or out of date, tell us through the Contact Us page so we can correct it. If you are using a guide in a stressful moment and a number doesn't work, call 911 in an emergency, or call your local police non-emergency line and ask for the current victim services contact.

What to Do Next

1. Read your state's guide, and save or print the PDF.
2. Use the Police Report tool to structure your statement.
3. Build a safety plan.
4. Read how to report stalking for the step-by-step process.
5. Ask about a protective order, and use the TRO Builder.

How to Read a State Guide in Ten Minutes

You don't need to read every page of a state guide to get value from it. This quick method helps you find what you need.

1. Start with the emergency page. Confirm the numbers for emergencies and your state's police or highway patrol.
2. Scan the statewide agencies page. Look for the attorney general or public safety victim services, and the victim compensation program.
3. Jump to the protective orders page. Find the name of the order that fits your situation and where it is filed.
4. Read the step-by-step page. It outlines how to report and how to request the order.
5. Look at specialized support. Note the child abuse and adult protective services hotlines if relevant.
6. Print the contact sheet, and put it with your safety plan.

If you have more time, read the "how to use" page, which explains how the guide is organized and what its limits are.

Questions to Ask the Court Clerk

Court clerks can't give legal advice, but they can explain procedures. These questions are usually appropriate.

• Which court handles protective orders for stalking in this county?
• What forms do I need, and are there instructions or a self-help center?
• Is there a filing fee, and can it be waived?
• How quickly can a temporary order be issued, and when is the hearing?
• How is the other person notified, and who serves the papers?
• How do I get copies of the order, and who should have them?
• What happens if the order is violated, and who do I call?

Bring your timeline and evidence. You can organize your facts first with the TRO Builder.

If You Are Far From Where the Stalking Is Happening

You may be a student at an out-of-state college, a person who has moved, or someone who works in a different state from where you live. In those situations:

• Report where the incidents occurred, and tell the officer about the connection to other states.
• Check the guides for both states, because the order names and rules may differ.
• Ask your campus police or employer about their reporting procedures in addition to local police.
• Consider an address confidentiality program if the stalker could find your new address.
• Keep your evidence organized by date and location, so it is clear where each incident occurred.

How We Build and Check the State Guides

Our guides rely on government sources: state and local agencies, court systems, and official victim services programs. We do not list nonprofit organizations, so that the guides stay focused on official channels. Each guide is verified against official pages when it is written, and each one reminds readers to confirm details with the agency.

Where we could not confirm a statewide number, we say so instead of guessing. For example, some states handle child abuse or adult abuse reports through county agencies and do not have one statewide hotline, so the guide points you to your county or state agency. If you find an error, or have a correction from an official source, please tell us through the Contact Us page.

Using the State Guides With Your Safety Plan

A state guide is most useful when it is part of a larger plan. Print your state's contact sheet and keep it with your printed safety plan, your timeline, and copies of any police reports or orders. Keep one set at home, one in a safe place away from home, and give a copy to a trusted person.

If the stalker has access to your devices or your home, store the printed set somewhere they can't reach, such as with a friend or at your workplace. Update it when numbers change, when you file a report, or when you receive an order.

Key Takeaways

• Stalking is a crime in all 50 states, but the process for reporting and the names of protective orders differ by state.
• Some states have an order built for stalking by anyone, others use harassment or peace orders, and a few lean on domestic relationships or a criminal case.
• Every Stalking.org state guide is built from government sources and includes emergency contacts, statewide agencies, order information, steps, and specialized support.
• Each guide is also available as a printable PDF.
• Federal law and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center can help when stalking crosses state lines or happens online.
• Always confirm numbers and procedures with the agency, because they change.

Where you live shapes the paperwork. It doesn't change your right to be safe.

Sources and further reading

• Help in Your State (Office for Victims of Crime)
• Stalking (Office of Justice Programs)
• Interstate Stalking (U.S. Attorney's Office, N.D. Georgia)
• 18 U.S.C. 2262 (Interstate violation of protection order) - U.S. Code via GovInfo