How to get a protective order
A protective order (also called a restraining order or order of protection) is a court order that can tell the person hurting you to stop contacting you, stay away from your home, work or school, and give up guns. You ask the court for it with a short set of forms. A judge can often sign a temporary order the same day, then holds a hearing within a few weeks to decide on a longer order.36
Filing should cost you nothing. To get certain federal grants, states must certify that victims aren't charged to file, issue, register, modify, enforce or serve a protection order. And an order from one state must be enforced in every other state, even if you never register it there.12
Updated October 2026. Rules differ by state, so call your office before you go. Questions? We're here: call or text 888-860-RISE.
In danger right now? Get safe first
If you're in danger, call 911. The courts and the National Domestic Violence Hotline both say so first.312
An advocate can help you plan for safety and find local legal help. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, 24 hours a day. Their site has a quick-exit button: press Escape twice.12
Use a phone or computer the abuser has never touched to look up forms and call for help. A library or shelter computer works. Clear your history afterward, but know that history can't always be fully erased, even in private mode.13
Your steps, in order
- 1
Know the three kinds of orders
Emergency order: when police respond to a call, some states let an officer ask a judge for an emergency order on the spot. In California, a judge is on call 24 hours a day to sign these, and they usually last 5 to 7 days, long enough for you to get to court.5
Temporary order: you ask the court, and a judge reads your papers without the other person there. In Utah and California, the judge may decide the same day. It usually lasts until your hearing. Utah sets that hearing within 21 days, and a Washington temporary order lasts up to 14 days.3611
Final order: after a hearing where both sides can speak, the judge decides on a longer order. California's can last up to 5 years; most Texas orders last up to 2 years; New York family court orders last 2 or 5 years.689
- 2
Get the forms and an advocate
Courts and domestic violence shelters have the forms. In Utah, the MyPaperwork tool walks you through the questions and builds the papers for you.4
Who can file depends on your relationship. In Utah, a cohabitant order covers people who are or were married, live or lived together, are family, or have or expect a child together; separate orders cover dating violence and sexual violence. New York family court covers family, spouses and ex-spouses, people with a child in common, and current or past intimate partners.39
Free help with the forms: in Utah, call the Utah domestic violence line at 800-897-5465 or Utah Legal Services at 801-328-8891. The National Domestic Violence Hotline keeps a directory of local legal help.312
Tip:Write what happened in plain words: the dates, what was said or done, any injuries, and threats involving weapons or children. Start with the most recent and the most serious.
- 3
File at the courthouse (no fee)
File in the right county. Utah lets you file where you or the other person lives, or where the abuse happened. Texas allows the county where you live, where the other person lives, or where the violence happened.38
There's no fee. Utah says there is no filing fee or cost for the forms. California says there is no fee to file. New York family court has no filing fees, and Texas says it's free to apply.3698
The other person has to be served with the papers before the order takes effect. In Utah, a sheriff or constable serves the order if the person is in the state.3
Bring- Your filled-out forms (California asks for the original and 2 copies)
- Your written account of what happened
- The other person's name, address, work and a photo or description, so they can be served
- Your own safe contact information (a number the abuser can't see)
- 4
Get ready for the hearing
Gather evidence: photos of injuries or damage, text messages and emails. Talk to anyone who saw what happened and ask them to come. Make 3 copies of anything you want the judge to see.7
Bring your court papers, any papers the other side filed, and notes on what you want to say. You can read from your notes. You may bring a support person, but they can't speak for you.7
Go to the hearing. In Texas, a temporary order may end if you miss it. If you can't afford a lawyer in New York family court, ask the judge for a free court-appointed one; the judge may not offer unless you ask.89
Bring- Photos, texts, emails and any recordings (ask the self-help center about recordings first)
- 3 copies of each document
- Your notes
- Witnesses, if you have them
- A support person or advocate
Tip:Afraid to sit near the other person? Tell the court officer or your advocate before the hearing. Some courthouses, like New York City's family courts, have a separate waiting area for petitioners.9
- 5
Keep the order with you, in every state
Federal law says every state, tribe and territory must enforce a valid protection order from another one as if it were its own. You don't have to register it in the new state for it to count.2
You can still choose to register it, which can make it easier for local police. Utah lets you register an out-of-state order by filing a certified copy and an affidavit at any district court. The state may not tell the abuser you registered it unless you ask it to.32
If the order is broken, call 911. Breaking an order can lead to arrest and criminal charges.3
Bring- A certified copy of your order, kept in your bag or car
- A photo of it on a safe phone
Tip:Moving or need help planning next steps? Call or text 888-860-RISE and ask for a person on our team; they'll help you sort out what to do first.
What it costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Filing for a protective order | Free in the states checked here (Utah, California, Texas, New York family court) |
| Federal rule | States that take certain federal grants must not charge victims to file, issue, register, modify, enforce or serve an order |
| Registering your order in a new state | Not required for it to be enforced |
| Calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline | Toll-free call; standard text and data rates may apply |
State examples
Every state has its own forms, names and time limits. These come from each state's own court pages; check your state's court self-help site before you file.
Utah
File in district court, using MyPaperwork if you like. No filing fee. A judge usually reviews the request the same day and, if a temporary order is signed, sets a hearing within 21 days. In a cohabitant order, the civil parts last 150 days unless extended for good cause, while the criminal parts usually can't be ended for two years.34
California
Police can request an emergency protective order from an on-call judge; it usually lasts 5 to 7 days. To go further, file form DV-100 at no cost. A long-term order after the hearing can last up to 5 years.56
Texas
Free to apply. A judge may sign a temporary ex parte order until your hearing. Most protective orders last up to 2 years. The Family Violence Legal Line is 800-374-4673.8
New York
Family court has no filing fees and can issue a temporary order the day you file. Final orders last 2 or 5 years. When family court is closed, local town and city courts can issue temporary orders. The New York City courts list a 24-hour hotline at 800-621-4673.910
Washington
The state lists no cost for domestic violence protection orders. A temporary order lasts up to 14 days until the hearing, and you can ask to attend the hearing by phone or online.11
Stuck on a step? You don't have to do this alone.
Call or text, and we'll help you find the right office and what to bring. Someone on our team can step in whenever youwhat to bring, with a real person on our team whenever you need one.apos;d like. Or become a RISING MEMBER: a mentor who's been there helps you build a plan, step by step. You do the work; we walk with you.
Questions people ask
How much does a protective order cost?
Usually nothing. States that take certain federal grants can't charge victims to file, serve or enforce a protection order, and Utah, California, Texas and New York family court all list no filing fee.
How fast can I get a protective order?
Often the same day for a temporary order. In Utah and California a judge may review your request the day you file. The longer order comes after a hearing, which in Utah is within 21 days.
Is my protective order good in another state?
Yes. Federal law requires every state to enforce a valid order from another state as if it were its own, even if you don't register it. Keep a certified copy with you.
Will the abuser find out where I live?
Your forms may ask for your address. Ask the clerk or an advocate how to keep it off the papers the other person gets. If you register your order in a new state, that state can't notify the abuser unless you ask.
What should I bring to the hearing?
Photos, texts and emails that show what happened, three copies of each, your court papers, notes on what you want to say, and any witnesses. You can bring a support person.
Keep going: more first-step guides
Sources
Official pages, read in October 2026. Rules change. If something here looks out of date, please let us know at hello@riseaid.org and we'll fix it.
- 1.U.S. Code (via Cornell Law School). 34 U.S.C. § 10450: no costs to victims for protection orders (grant eligibility)
- 2.U.S. Code (via Cornell Law School). 18 U.S.C. § 2265: full faith and credit given to protection orders
- 3.Utah State Courts. Protective orders
- 4.Utah State Courts. Obtain court ordered protection
- 5.Judicial Branch of California. Guide to protective orders (emergency protective orders)
- 6.Judicial Branch of California. File your request for a domestic violence restraining order
- 7.Judicial Branch of California. Prepare for your restraining order court date
- 8.Texas Judicial Branch. Protective orders: FAQ
- 9.New York State Unified Court System. New York City Family Court: domestic violence (family offense)
- 10.New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. Orders of protection
- 11.Washington Courts. Understanding Washington State protection orders (July 2025)
- 12.National Domestic Violence Hotline. Get help 24/7
- 13.National Domestic Violence Hotline. Internet safety