Bristol Palin is begging for protection against an obsessed stalker ... claiming the dude sent her a creepy wedding proposal -- complete with a ring -- and even showed up at her mom's house on her son Tripp's birthday ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs ... the "Dancing with the Stars" all-star obtained a temporary restraining against Michael Cummings -- a 39-year-old Texan she claims she's never met ... and only came into contact with after he sent her an engagement ring, along with a note saying, "I (heart) you."

Bristol alleges Cummings was later spotted at her mom Sarah Palin's house on December 27 -- Tripp's fourth birthday -- at which point she immediately filed for protection.

She's hoping to make the order more permanent at a hearing later this month.

Considering Cumming's own mom called local police to tell them her "unstable" son was in town to see Bristol ... protection's probably the right way to go.

Bristol Palin has a major hurdle to clear before she and her son Tripp can relocate to Arizona --
because her baby daddy Levi Johnston has yet to approve.


A rep for Levi tells TMZ ... Johnston is "aware" Bristol purchased a $172k home in AZ ... but the two have not had any discussions about relocating 2-year-old Tripp.

According to court officials in Alaska ... in order for a parent with primary custody -- like Bristol -- to relocate a child, she would need either consent from the other parent ... or she could file a motion for approval from a judge.

But there may be hope for Bristol -- Levi's rep tells us, "Levi is not at all upset that Bristol is going to Arizona" ... adding, "After the holidays, Levi and Bristol will get together and discuss plans for Tripp."

We're told the two have to work out the details with Levi's visitation rights -- with one major factor being ... who's gonna foot the bill for Levi to travel to AZ to see the kid???

Stay tuned.