WomensLaw serves and supports all survivors, no matter their sex or gender.

Places that Help: Massachusetts

Sheriff Departments

Updated: 
June 14, 2023

Before a protection order can take effect, it must be served upon the abuser. In most states, protection orders are served by the sheriff department. You can contact the clerk of the court in the court that issued your order to find out the procedure for service if you are unsure. For a list of Massachusetts courts, check the MA Courthouse Locations page on our site. To find the contact information for sheriff departments listed by county, you can go to the website of the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association. (WomensLaw.org is not affiliated with that website.)

Places that Help

© 2008–2024 WomensLaw.org is a project of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Inc. All rights reserved. This website is funded in part through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). NNEDV is a 501©(3) non-profit organization; EIN 52-1973408.