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All Laws Decoded

How to Get a Restraining Order in Georgia

In Georgia these are called Family Violence Protective Order; Stalking Protective Order; Dating Violence Protective Order. 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 Georgia

Cost
Superior courts may not charge fees for filing, issuing, registering or serving a protective order to protect a victim of domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault. O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77(e)(4); GCFV Benchbook § 2.3.4
Emergency / temporary orders
The court can grant an ex parte (temporary) order without the respondent present if your verified petition shows probable cause that family violence occurred and may occur again. You receive a copy right away. O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3(b); GCFV Benchbook § 2.4
How long an order lasts
A final family violence, stalking or dating violence protective order can last up to one year. It may be extended for up to three years or made permanent. O.C.G.A. §§ 19-13-4(c), 19-13A-4(d); GCFV Benchbook
Where to ask
File a verified petition in superior court, normally in the county where the respondent lives. If the respondent does not live in Georgia, you may file where you live or where the violence occurred. O.C.G.A. §§ 19-13-2, 19-13-3(d); GCFV Benchbook §§ 2.1.4, 2.3.3, 2.3.5

Last verified: 2026-10-25

Safety first

Getting an order

Types of ordersFamily violence protective orders, stalking protective orders, and dating violence protective orders, each with an ex parte (temporary) order and a final order after a hearing. Employers can also seek workplace protective orders.
Official Code of Georgia is published through LexisNexis; statute content taken from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence Domestic Violence Benchbook (18th ed.), a state-agency publication.
Source: O.C.G.A. §§ 19-13-1 et seq., 16-5-94, 19-13A-1 et seq., 34-1-7
Who can ask for an orderA family violence order requires that you and the respondent are or were spouses, are parents of the same child, are parent and child, stepparent and stepchild, or foster parent and foster child, or live or formerly lived in the same household. A dating relationship without living together does not qualify for a family violence order, but a dating violence or stalking protective order may be available.
Official Code of Georgia is published through LexisNexis; statute content taken from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence Domestic Violence Benchbook (18th ed.), a state-agency publication.
Source: O.C.G.A. § 19-13-1; GCFV Benchbook § 1.2.2
Where to askFile a verified petition in superior court, normally in the county where the respondent lives. If the respondent does not live in Georgia, you may file where you live or where the violence occurred. Shelter or social-services lay advocates may help you with forms at no cost; clerks may provide the forms.
Official Code of Georgia is published through LexisNexis; statute content taken from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence Domestic Violence Benchbook (18th ed.), a state-agency publication.
Source: O.C.G.A. §§ 19-13-2, 19-13-3(d); GCFV Benchbook §§ 2.1.4, 2.3.3, 2.3.5
CostSuperior courts may not charge fees for filing, issuing, registering or serving a protective order to protect a victim of domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault.
Official Code of Georgia is published through LexisNexis; statute content taken from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence Domestic Violence Benchbook (18th ed.), a state-agency publication.
Source: O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77(e)(4); GCFV Benchbook § 2.3.4

Emergency orders and the hearing

Emergency / temporary ordersThe court can grant an ex parte (temporary) order without the respondent present if your verified petition shows probable cause that family violence occurred and may occur again. You receive a copy right away. It stays in effect until the hearing.
Official Code of Georgia is published through LexisNexis; statute content taken from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence Domestic Violence Benchbook (18th ed.), a state-agency publication.
Source: O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3(b); GCFV Benchbook § 2.4
Serving the orderNo fee is charged for service. Final orders are issued to the sheriff, and sheriffs keep copies.
Official Code of Georgia is published through LexisNexis; statute content taken from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence Domestic Violence Benchbook (18th ed.), a state-agency publication. Who serves the ex parte order not separately confirmed.
Source: O.C.G.A. §§ 15-6-77(e)(4), 19-13-4; GCFV Benchbook §§ 2.2.3, 2.3.4
The court hearingA hearing must be held within 10 to 30 days after the petition is filed, unless the parties agree otherwise or a party is avoiding service. If the hearing is not held in time, the petition can be dismissed.
Official Code of Georgia is published through LexisNexis; statute content taken from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence Domestic Violence Benchbook (18th ed.), a state-agency publication.
Source: O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3(c),(e); GCFV Benchbook § 2.5.2
How long an order lastsA final family violence, stalking or dating violence protective order can last up to one year. It may be extended for up to three years or made permanent.
Official Code of Georgia is published through LexisNexis; statute content taken from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence Domestic Violence Benchbook (18th ed.), a state-agency publication.
Source: O.C.G.A. §§ 19-13-4(c), 19-13A-4(d); GCFV Benchbook

What the order does

What an order can requireThe court can order relief to stop family violence, including stay-away, no-contact and distance limits, and can order child support, spousal support and attorney's fees.
Official Code of Georgia is published through LexisNexis; statute content taken from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence Domestic Violence Benchbook (18th ed.), a state-agency publication. Full list of relief in § 19-13-4(a) not reproduced here.
Source: O.C.G.A. §§ 19-13-4(a), 16-5-95; GCFV Benchbook §§ 2.3.2, 3
FirearmsGeorgia's Family Violence Act does not specifically address firearms, but courts often include gun provisions, and federal law prohibits most respondents under final orders from possessing or buying firearms or ammunition.
Official Code of Georgia is published through LexisNexis; statute content taken from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence Domestic Violence Benchbook (18th ed.), a state-agency publication.
Source: GCFV Benchbook ch. 3; 18 U.S.C. § 922
If the order is violatedViolating a family violence or dating violence order (such as stay-away, no-contact or distance terms) is a misdemeanor offense.
Official Code of Georgia is published through LexisNexis; statute content taken from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence Domestic Violence Benchbook (18th ed.), a state-agency publication.
Source: O.C.G.A. § 16-5-95; GCFV Benchbook ch. 3

Children and privacy

Minors and childrenAn adult can file a family violence petition on behalf of a minor. Orders can protect the petitioner or a minor of the household.
Official Code of Georgia is published through LexisNexis; statute content taken from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence Domestic Violence Benchbook (18th ed.), a state-agency publication.
Source: O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3; GCFV Benchbook § 2.2.3

Forms and help in Georgia

Georgia protective order FAQ

What kinds of protective orders are available in Georgia?
Family violence protective orders, stalking protective orders, and dating violence protective orders, each with an ex parte (temporary) order and a final order after a hearing. Employers can also seek workplace protective orders.
Who can get a restraining order in Georgia?
A family violence order requires that you and the respondent are or were spouses, are parents of the same child, are parent and child, stepparent and stepchild, or foster parent and foster child, or live or formerly lived in the same household. A dating relationship without living together does not qualify for a family violence order, but a dating violence or stalking protective order may be available.
Where do I file for a restraining order in Georgia?
File a verified petition in superior court, normally in the county where the respondent lives. If the respondent does not live in Georgia, you may file where you live or where the violence occurred. Shelter or social-services lay advocates may help you with forms at no cost; clerks may provide the forms.
Does it cost money to get a restraining order in Georgia?
Superior courts may not charge fees for filing, issuing, registering or serving a protective order to protect a victim of domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault.
How fast can I get an emergency protective order in Georgia?
The court can grant an ex parte (temporary) order without the respondent present if your verified petition shows probable cause that family violence occurred and may occur again. You receive a copy right away. It stays in effect until the hearing.
What happens at the restraining order hearing in Georgia?
A hearing must be held within 10 to 30 days after the petition is filed, unless the parties agree otherwise or a party is avoiding service. If the hearing is not held in time, the petition can be dismissed.
How long does a restraining order last in Georgia?
A final family violence, stalking or dating violence protective order can last up to one year. It may be extended for up to three years or made permanent.
What can a protective order do in Georgia?
The court can order relief to stop family violence, including stay-away, no-contact and distance limits, and can order child support, spousal support and attorney's fees.
Does a protective order affect firearms in Georgia?
Georgia's Family Violence Act does not specifically address firearms, but courts often include gun provisions, and federal law prohibits most respondents under final orders from possessing or buying firearms or ammunition.
How is a restraining order served in Georgia?
No fee is charged for service. Final orders are issued to the sheriff, and sheriffs keep copies.
What happens if someone violates a protective order in Georgia?
Violating a family violence or dating violence order (such as stay-away, no-contact or distance terms) is a misdemeanor offense.
Can a minor get a restraining order in Georgia?
An adult can file a family violence petition on behalf of a minor. Orders can protect the petitioner or a minor of the household.

Protective orders in other states

More Georgia law

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.