How to Get a Restraining Order in Arizona
In Arizona these are called Order of Protection; Injunction Against Harassment. A protective order is a court order that tells someone to stop abusing, threatening, stalking or contacting you. Here is how to ask for one, what happens next, and where to get free help — each rule linked to the statute or official court page.
Quick answers for Arizona
- Cost
- No fee to file a petition for an Order of Protection or to serve it. No fee to file an Injunction Against Harassment petition (service fees for that injunction may be deferred or waived). No fee to request a hearing. A.R.S. §§ 13-3602(D),(L); 12-1809(D)
- Emergency / temporary orders
- A judge can issue an Order of Protection the same day without a hearing, based on your petition, if there is reasonable cause to believe domestic violence may occur or occurred in the past year. A.R.S. §§ 13-3602(E); 13-3624(C),(E)
- How long an order lasts
- An Order of Protection takes effect when served and expires two years after service. If not served within one year after it is issued, it expires. A.R.S. § 13-3602(N)
- Where to ask
- File a verified petition with a superior court judge, justice of the peace, or city/town magistrate. Any court in Arizona can issue or enforce an order, regardless of where you or the other person are. A.R.S. §§ 13-3602(A); 13-3624(A),(C)
Last verified: 2026-10-25
Safety first
- If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
- You can talk to a trained advocate any time, for free and confidentially, through the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
- Advocates can help you make a safety plan and fill out the court forms. Many courts have advocates on site.
- Keep copies of the order with you. Give copies to people who need to know, such as your workplace or your child's school.
Getting an order
| Types of orders | Order of Protection (domestic violence); Emergency Order of Protection (issued by phone after hours); Injunction Against Harassment (no relationship required); and Injunction Against Workplace Harassment (filed by an employer). |
|---|---|
| Who can ask for an order | An Order of Protection requires a qualifying relationship: current or former spouse; people who live or lived in the same household; people who have a child together; one party is pregnant by the other; certain relatives by blood, court order or marriage (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, in-laws, step-relatives); a child living in the household who is related to a former spouse or household member; or a current or former romantic or sexual relationship. Without a qualifying relationship, you can ask for an Injunction Against Harassment. A third party may request an order for someone who is unable to request it. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
| Where to ask | File a verified petition with a superior court judge, justice of the peace, or city/town magistrate. Any court in Arizona can issue or enforce an order, regardless of where you or the other person are. AZPOINT is the courts' free online tool to prepare the forms. When courts are closed, a judicial officer can issue an emergency order of protection by phone through a police officer. AZPOINT: https://www.azcourts.gov/domesticviolencelaw/AZPOINT Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
| Cost | No fee to file a petition for an Order of Protection or to serve it. No fee to file an Injunction Against Harassment petition (service fees for that injunction may be deferred or waived). No fee to request a hearing. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
Emergency orders and the hearing
| Emergency / temporary orders | A judge can issue an Order of Protection the same day without a hearing, based on your petition, if there is reasonable cause to believe domestic violence may occur or occurred in the past year. When courts are closed, a police officer can obtain an Emergency Order of Protection by phone; it lasts seven calendar days unless continued. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
|---|---|
| Serving the order | The court sends the order to police, the sheriff or a constable for service at no charge to you. Service of protective orders has priority. If service is not done within 15 days, you will be notified while attempts continue. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 13-3602(D),(I),(J),(K) |
| The court hearing | An Arizona Order of Protection can be issued without a hearing. The person restrained may request one hearing while the order is in effect; it must be held within 10 days of the request (within 5 days if exclusive use of the home was granted). After the hearing, the court may keep, change or cancel the order. If the judge denies the petition, a hearing may be scheduled within 10 days with notice to the other person. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 13-3602(F),(L) |
| How long an order lasts | An Order of Protection takes effect when served and expires two years after service. If not served within one year after it is issued, it expires. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 13-3602(N) |
What the order does
| What an order can require | The court can order the other person not to commit domestic-violence offenses; give one party exclusive use of the shared home (the other may return once with police to get belongings); order no contact and stay away from your home, work, school or other places; give you care and custody of pets; require a treatment program after a hearing; and grant other relief needed for protection. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 13-3602(G) |
|---|---|
| Firearms | If the court finds the other person is a credible threat to your physical safety, it can prohibit them from possessing or buying firearms for the life of the order and require them to transfer any firearms to law enforcement immediately after service (within 24 hours at most). Federal law may also restrict firearm possession. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 13-3602(G)(4) |
| If the order is violated | Disobeying the order can lead to arrest, with or without a warrant, and prosecution for interfering with judicial proceedings (a class 1 misdemeanor) plus any other crime committed. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
Children and privacy
| Minors and children | For a minor, a parent, legal guardian or legal custodian files the petition (unless the court decides otherwise) and the minor is listed as a protected person. Orders can be issued against a person under 12 only by the juvenile court. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
|---|---|
| Keeping your address private | Arizona's Address Confidentiality Program, run by the Secretary of State, protects the actual address of relocated victims of domestic violence, sexual offenses or stalking. Separately, your address on a protective-order petition is kept confidential. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
Forms and help in Arizona
- Arizona courts: protective order help
- Official Arizona protective order forms
- Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (ACESDV) — 602-279-2900 (main line)
- Free legal aid in Arizona
Arizona protective order FAQ
What kinds of protective orders are available in Arizona?
Order of Protection (domestic violence); Emergency Order of Protection (issued by phone after hours); Injunction Against Harassment (no relationship required); and Injunction Against Workplace Harassment (filed by an employer).
Who can get a restraining order in Arizona?
An Order of Protection requires a qualifying relationship: current or former spouse; people who live or lived in the same household; people who have a child together; one party is pregnant by the other; certain relatives by blood, court order or marriage (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, in-laws, step-relatives); a child living in the household who is related to a former spouse or household member; or a current or former romantic or sexual relationship. Without a qualifying relationship, you can ask for an Injunction Against Harassment. A third party may request an order for someone who is unable to request it.
Where do I file for a restraining order in Arizona?
File a verified petition with a superior court judge, justice of the peace, or city/town magistrate. Any court in Arizona can issue or enforce an order, regardless of where you or the other person are. AZPOINT is the courts' free online tool to prepare the forms. When courts are closed, a judicial officer can issue an emergency order of protection by phone through a police officer.
Does it cost money to get a restraining order in Arizona?
No fee to file a petition for an Order of Protection or to serve it. No fee to file an Injunction Against Harassment petition (service fees for that injunction may be deferred or waived). No fee to request a hearing.
How fast can I get an emergency protective order in Arizona?
A judge can issue an Order of Protection the same day without a hearing, based on your petition, if there is reasonable cause to believe domestic violence may occur or occurred in the past year. When courts are closed, a police officer can obtain an Emergency Order of Protection by phone; it lasts seven calendar days unless continued.
What happens at the restraining order hearing in Arizona?
An Arizona Order of Protection can be issued without a hearing. The person restrained may request one hearing while the order is in effect; it must be held within 10 days of the request (within 5 days if exclusive use of the home was granted). After the hearing, the court may keep, change or cancel the order. If the judge denies the petition, a hearing may be scheduled within 10 days with notice to the other person.
How long does a restraining order last in Arizona?
An Order of Protection takes effect when served and expires two years after service. If not served within one year after it is issued, it expires.
What can a protective order do in Arizona?
The court can order the other person not to commit domestic-violence offenses; give one party exclusive use of the shared home (the other may return once with police to get belongings); order no contact and stay away from your home, work, school or other places; give you care and custody of pets; require a treatment program after a hearing; and grant other relief needed for protection.
Does a protective order affect firearms in Arizona?
If the court finds the other person is a credible threat to your physical safety, it can prohibit them from possessing or buying firearms for the life of the order and require them to transfer any firearms to law enforcement immediately after service (within 24 hours at most).
How is a restraining order served in Arizona?
The court sends the order to police, the sheriff or a constable for service at no charge to you. Service of protective orders has priority. If service is not done within 15 days, you will be notified while attempts continue.
What happens if someone violates a protective order in Arizona?
Disobeying the order can lead to arrest, with or without a warrant, and prosecution for interfering with judicial proceedings (a class 1 misdemeanor) plus any other crime committed.
Can a minor get a restraining order in Arizona?
For a minor, a parent, legal guardian or legal custodian files the petition (unless the court decides otherwise) and the minor is listed as a protected person. Orders can be issued against a person under 12 only by the juvenile court.
Can I keep my address confidential in Arizona?
Arizona's Address Confidentiality Program, run by the Secretary of State, protects the actual address of relocated victims of domestic violence, sexual offenses or stalking. Separately, your address on a protective-order petition is kept confidential.
Protective orders in other states
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.