Completed requests for protective orders need to be submitted to the courthouse for a hearing with a judge. Forms that are completed and turned in by 10:30 a.m. will be heard at 1:30 p.m. the same day. Forms turned in after 10:30 a.m. will be heard at 1:30 p.m. the following business day.
These forms can be confusing and complicated to fill out: please reach out to Victim's Assistance if you need help. We would be happy to sit with you and review your forms and/or help you to fill them out.
Family Abuse Prevention Act (FAPA) Restraining Orders
Prohibits an abuser (Respondent) from intimidating, molesting, interfering with, or menacing the protected person (Petitioner) and any children in the Petitioner's custody.
Time Frame: Must have taken place within the last 180 days (any time that the Respondent spent in jail or lived more than 100 miles away from the Petitioner does not count against the 180 day time period).
Eligibility:
- There must be an immediate and present danger of further abuse.
- Qualifying relationship required - Must be a household or family member, a spouse or former spouse, an adult related by blood, marriage, or adoption, an intimate partner (of the same or opposite sex) who is living or has lived with Petitioner, a person (of the same or opposite sex) who has had a sexually intimate relationship with Petitioner within the past two years, or the other parent of Petitioner's child(ren).
- Only one incident of abuse is required. Must have been abused in one of the following ways: physical injury, threat of and/or fear of physical injury, or forced sexual relationships.
- Limited availability to minor Petitioners.
- Not available against minor Respondent.
Duration: Lasts for one year, unless modified or dismissed. May be renewed if found that it is objectively reasonable for a person in the Petitioner's situation to fear for the person's physical safety if the order is not renewed.
Forms: You may use the interactive web-based question and answer form to fill out your FAPA order. We have found that this is the easiest and fastest way for most people to get a FAPA request completed. When completed, you will have to print all of the forms and turn them in to the Family Law Office in the courthouse. (If you need help printing your forms, please contact Victim Assistance and we can arrange to print them for you before you go to Family Law).
Follow this link to register and get started with the interactive FAPA: FAPA Online
You may also print the paper forms and fill them out by hand. Once the forms are filled out, you will have to turn them in to the Family Law Office in the Courthouse. If you need help printing your forms, please contact Victim Assistance. We have printed packets you can use to file for a FAPA.
Follow this link to print FAPA forms in English: English FAPA Forms
Forms in other languages:
Sexual Abuse Protective Order (SAPO)
Prohibits an abuser (Respondent) from intimidating, molesting, interfering with, or menacing the person to be protected (Petitioner).
Time Frame: Must have taken place within the last 180 days (any time that the Respondent spent in jail, lived more than 100 miles away from the Petitioner, or any time the respondent was subject to another protective order with the same petitioner does not count against the 180 day time period).
Eligibility:
- There must be reasonable fear for Petitioner's safety with respect to Respondent
- One incident of abuse required where Respondent subjected Petitioner to sexual abuse (sexual abuse = sexual contact with a person who does not or cannot consent to the sexual contact or act)
- Available to minor, as well as adult Petitioners (12 and older can file their own petition. Parent or guardian can petition for a person under 18)
- Not available against minor Respondents
- Petitioner and Respondent must NOT be "family or household members"
- Respondent must NOT be subject to another protective order regarding this Petitioner
Duration: Lasts for one year, unless modified or dismissed. May be renewed if found that it is objectively reasonable for a person in the Petitioner's situation to fear for the person's physical safety if the order is not renewed.
Forms: To obtain a Sexual Assault Protective Order, you must print the paper forms and fill them out by hand. Once the forms are filled out, you will have to turn them in to the Family Law Office in the Courthouse.
If you need help printing your forms, please contact Victim Assistance. We have printed packets you can use to file for a Sexual Assault Protective Order.
Follow this link to print SAPO forms in English: English SAPO Forms
Forms in other languages:
Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities Abuse Prevention Act (EPPDAPA) Order
Prohibits an abuser (Respondent) from intimidating, molesting, interfering with, or menacing an elderly person or a person with disabilities (Petitioner).
Time Frame: Must have taken place within the last 180 days (any time that the Respondent spent in jail or lived more than 100 miles away from the Petitioner does not count against the 180 day time period).
Eligibility:
- There must be an immediate and present danger of further abuse of an elderly and/or disabled person. An "elderly person" is anyone who is 65 or older and NOT a long-term care facility resident. A "person with a disability" is anyone who would qualify for services or benefits because of a physical, emotional, or mental disability.
- One incident of abuse required. Abuse is described as any of the following: Physical Injury: Physical pain or injury caused by other than accidental means, withholding services, abandonment, desertion, or neglect that leads to physical harm. Threats or Other Abusive Conduct: Derogatory or inappropriate names, harassing, or threatening conduct of such nature as to threaten significant physical or emotional harm to the Petitioner. Financial: Wrongful taking or appropriation of money or property (or threatening to do so). Sexual: Non-consensual sexual contact.
- A guardian may request an order on behalf of Petitioner.
Duration: Lasts for one year, unless modified or dismissed. May be renewed - no further acts of abuse are required.
Forms: To obtain a EPPDAPA Order, you must print the paper forms and fill them out by hand. Once the forms are filled out, you will have to turn them in to the Family Law Office in the Courthouse.
If you need help printing your forms, please contact Victim Assistance. We have printed packets you can use to file for a EPPDAPA Order.
Follow this link to print EPPDAPA Order forms in English:
English EPPDAPA Forms
Forms in other languages:
Stalking Protective Order
Prohibits a stalker (Respondent) from doing things like following or contacting the victim (Petitioner) or a member of the victim's immediate family or household.
Time Frame: Must have taken place within the last 2 years.
Eligibility:
- Petitioner's fear must be actual and reasonable and the contact has actually caused reasonable fear for the physical safety of the Petitioner or a member of the Petitioner's household or family.
- Two incidents of stalking are required. Examples include: threatening to cause injury, following, waiting outside home, school, job or property, sending letters, texts, emails, or phone calls that threaten immediate serious personal violence.
- Stalking is intentional, knowing, or reckless repeated and unwanted contact that is alarming or coercive (forceful) to Petitioner or a member of the Petitioner's immediate household or family; when it is objectively reasonable for the Petitioner to feel alarmed or coerced; and the contacts cause reasonable fear regarding the Petitioner's (or immediate household or family members') physical safety.
- A parent or guardian may request a stalking order on behalf of a minor child or dependent.
- Available against minor Respondents.
Duration: Permanent, unless otherwise ordered by a Judge.
Forms: To obtain a Stalking Protective Order, you must print the paper forms and fill them out by hand. Once the forms are filled out you will have to turn them in to the Family Law Office in the Courthouse.
If you need help printing your forms, please contact Victim Assistance. We have printed packets you can use to file for a Stalking Protective Order.
Follow this link to print Stalking Protective Order forms in English:
English SPO Forms. There are multiple forms on this page to print and fill out. Please follow the directions carefully or call our office for assistance.
Forms in other languages:
If you need to renew a protective order, please contact Family Law or Victim Assistance for the proper paperwork to file.
Family Law: (503) 373-4349
Victim Assistance: (503) 588-5253
FAPA Renewals
Family Abuse Protective Orders are valid for one year and may be renewed prior to expiration without a new incident. If the order expires, a new incident is required to file for a new order.
SAPO Renewals
Sexual Abuse Protective Orders are valid for one year and may be renewed prior to expiration without a new incident. If the order expires, a new incident is required to file for a new order.
EPPDAPA Renewals
Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities Abuse Prevention Act Orders are valid for one year and may be renewed prior to expiration without a new incident. If the order expires, a new incident is required to file for a new order.
SPO Renewals
Stalking Protective Orders are valid permanently unless otherwise ordered by a judge.
