How Long Does a Restraining Order Last? State by State
How long final protective orders last in each state and DC, and how to renew or extend them.
| State | The rule |
|---|---|
| Alabama | A final protection order is permanent unless the order says otherwise or a later court order changes it. Either party can ask the court to modify it while it is in effect. Ala. Code § 30-5-7(d) |
| Alaska | Most provisions of a long-term domestic violence order last one year; the order prohibiting further domestic violence, stalking or harassment lasts until further court order. Stalking and sexual assault orders last one year. You can ask for a one-year extension within 30 days before, or 60 days after, the order expires; a hearing is held with at least 10 days' notice. AS 18.66.100(b),(f); AS 18.65.850(b),(f) |
| 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. A.R.S. § 13-3602(N) |
| Arkansas | A final order lasts a fixed period set by the judge: at least 90 days and up to 10 years. It can be renewed at a later hearing if the court finds the threat of domestic abuse still exists. Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-205 |
| California | A long-term DVRO granted at the hearing can last up to five years. You can ask to renew it before it expires; there is no fee to renew. Judicial Council DV-500-INFO; self-help renewal page |
| Colorado | A permanent civil protection order stays in effect until a court modifies or dismisses it. For orders filed on or after July 1, 2013, the restrained person cannot ask to dismiss it until two years after it was issued (or after the last motion was decided). Colorado Judicial self-help, Protection Orders |
| Connecticut | An order lasts up to one year and can be extended by the court on the applicant's motion for as long as the court finds necessary. Certain financial orders for spouses or co-parents expire after 120 days. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-15(e),(g) |
| Delaware | Most relief lasts up to 1 year; orders against abuse and contact can last up to 2 years. With aggravating circumstances (such as serious injury, use of a weapon, or repeated violations), no-abuse/no-contact orders can last as long as reasonably necessary, up to a permanent order. Orders can be extended on motion if new abuse, a violation, consent or good cause is shown. Reconciliation does not end the order. 10 Del. C. § 1045(b)–(d),(f) |
| District of Columbia | A CPO lasts up to 2 years at a time. Any party can ask to extend, modify or end it for good cause; a violation is not required to extend. An extension longer than 2 years requires a finding such as a violation, a prior protection order against the same person, or other compelling safety circumstances. D.C. Code § 16-1005(d),(d-1) |
| Florida | The order restraining the respondent from domestic violence and other protective terms stay in effect until a court modifies or dissolves them; either party can ask at any time. Some terms (temporary parenting plan, support) last until the order expires or another court order replaces them. Fla. Stat. § 741.30(6)(a),(c), (10) |
| 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. O.C.G.A. §§ 19-13-4(c), 19-13A-4(d); GCFV Benchbook |
| Hawaii | After the hearing, the court can issue a protective order for a fixed reasonable period it considers appropriate (for a minor, it can extend past age 18). It can be extended for further fixed periods after a hearing; in District Court, injunctions can last up to three years. HRS § 586-5.5; Hawaii Judiciary self-help |
| Idaho | Relief lasts a fixed period up to one year. On motion and good cause, the court can continue the order for an appropriate time or make it permanent. A renewal motion can be granted without a hearing if not timely objected to. Idaho Code § 39-6306(5) |
| Illinois | A plenary order lasts a fixed period up to two years (orders entered within another case can last until that case ends). Any order can be extended one or more times. 750 ILCS 60/220(b),(e) |
| Indiana | Orders last two years unless the judge sets a different date; extensions are also presumed to be two years. If the respondent must register for life as a sex or violent offender because of a crime against the petitioner, the order can be indefinite. Ind. Code § 34-26-5-9(f),(g) |
| Iowa | A protective order or consent agreement lasts a fixed period up to one year. It can be extended after a hearing if the defendant continues to pose a threat; there is no limit on the number of extensions. Iowa Code § 236.5(3) |
| Kansas | A final order lasts a fixed period of 1 to 2 years. It can be extended for 1 to 3 more years on your motion. If the defendant violated a protection order or was convicted of a person felony against you or your household, the court must extend it at least one year and may extend it up to the defendant's lifetime. K.S.A. 60-3107(e) |
| Kentucky | A DVO lasts for the time the court sets, up to 3 years, and can be reissued for further periods of up to 3 years each. IPOs can also last up to 3 years. To extend, file a motion before the order expires. KRS 403.740(4); AOC booklet, Q1 and Q11 |
| Louisiana | Up to 18 months under the Domestic Abuse Assistance Act and dating violence law, and the court can extend it after a hearing. The parts ordering the abuser not to abuse, harass or interfere with the protected person can be made indefinite. Orders under the Children's Code last up to 6 months (or until age 18 for a sexually abused child). To extend, file a motion to modify before the order expires. La. R.S. 46:2136(F); LPOR A instructions |
| Maine | A first final Protection from Abuse order can last up to 2 years; a final Protection from Harassment order up to 1 year. On the plaintiff's motion, the court can extend a final order for as long as it finds necessary, more than once and without a limit. In some cases an expired order can be reinstated if there was good cause for the late motion. 19-A M.R.S. §4111; PUB-001 Parts A.24 and B.17 |
| Maryland | Usually up to 1 year. Up to 2 years in some repeat cases (new abuse within a year after a prior order expired). A judge can extend an order by 6 months for good cause, or up to 2 years if there was a new act of abuse during the order or the respondent consents; a motion to extend is heard within 30 days and the order stays in effect until the hearing. Permanent orders are required in certain cases involving serious crimes and prison sentences. Md. Code, Fam. Law §4-506(j)-(k); §4-507(a) |
| Massachusetts | Relief is for a fixed period of up to 1 year. The order states the date it expires and the date of the next hearing. If you come to court on that date, the judge decides whether to extend it for as long as reasonably necessary or to make it permanent. The fact that no abuse happened while the order was in effect is not by itself a reason to refuse an extension. M.G.L. c. 209A, §3 |
| Minnesota | Up to 2 years, unless the court finds a longer period appropriate. The court can extend an order or grant a new one if the respondent violated an order, you reasonably fear physical harm, the respondent has stalked or harassed you, or the respondent is about to be released from incarceration; imminent harm does not have to be shown. Orders of up to 50 years are possible if the respondent violated orders two or more times or you have had two or more orders against the same person. Minn. Stat. §518B.01, subd. 6(b), 6a |
| Mississippi | A Temporary DAPO (Municipal or Justice Court) lasts up to 30 days if the parties share minor children, or up to 1 year if not. A Final DAPO (County or Chancery Court) lasts as long as the judge finds necessary. Custody, visitation and child support terms in a DAPO expire after 180 days, so a separate custody case must be filed. Miss. Code Ann. §93-21-15 |
| Missouri | A full order lasts at least 180 days and no more than 1 year. If the court makes written findings that the respondent poses a serious danger to you or a minor in your household, it lasts 2 to 10 years. Orders can be renewed on your motion after a hearing (a new act of abuse is not required); with a serious-danger finding, renewals can last up to the life of the respondent. The court can also make renewal automatic unless the respondent objects 30 days before expiration. RSMo §455.040.1 |
| Montana | The court sets an appropriate time period, or may make the order permanent based on the respondent's history of violence, the severity of the offense, and the evidence. Protection for a minor family member can be permanent if the child was a victim of or witness to abuse. The order ends early if the petitioner asks for dismissal; a form exists to renew or modify an order. MCA 40-15-204(1), (4), (5) |
| Nebraska | An initial order lasts at least 1 year and no more than 2 years, as set by the court. It can be renewed for 1 year at a time by filing a petition and affidavit to renew within 45 days before it expires (including the expiration date). Neb. Rev. Stat. §§26-110, 26-111 |
| Nevada | An extended order lasts as long as the court sets, up to 2 years; the court must state the reasons for any order longer than 1 year. Either party can ask the court to modify or dissolve it if circumstances change. NRS 33.080(3)-(5) |
| New Hampshire | Up to 1 year. On your motion showing good cause, with notice to the defendant, it can be extended for 1 year after the first order expires, and after that each extension can be for up to 5 years. The defendant can request a hearing on an extension within 30 days. RSA 173-B:5, VI |
| New Jersey | A Final Restraining Order is permanent; it does not expire unless the court changes or dismisses it. Only a judge can dismiss or modify it, at an in-person hearing. NJ Courts, Domestic Violence self-help page and FAQ |
| New Mexico | The order states its end date. Its general protective terms continue until modified or rescinded, while custody and child support terms last no more than 6 months and can be extended once for good cause for up to 6 more months. To ask for an extension, return to court with a copy of the order at least 3 weeks before it expires. NMSA 1978, §40-13-6(B), as quoted in Supreme Court Form 4-965 committee commentary |
| New York | A Family Court final order of protection can last up to two years, or up to five years if the court finds aggravating circumstances or that the conduct violated an existing valid order of protection. On motion, the court can extend an order for a reasonable period for good cause or with both parties' consent. N.Y. Family Court Act § 842 |
| North Carolina | Up to 1 year. On your motion filed before it expires, a judge can renew it for up to 2 years at a time for good cause, with no limit on the number of renewals; a new act of violence is not required. Temporary custody in a DVPO cannot be extended beyond one year. N.C.G.S. §50B-3(b); NC Judicial Branch help topic |
| Ohio | An order lasts until the date the court sets, up to 5 years (for a respondent under 18, a domestic violence order may last until the respondent turns 19). Orders can be renewed in the same way they were first issued. R.C. 3113.31(E)(3); R.C. 2903.214(E)(2) |
| Oklahoma | A final protective order lasts for a fixed period of up to 5 years (time the respondent spends incarcerated does not count), unless changed by the court. The court can make it continuous (no end date) if it finds certain things, such as a history of violating court orders, a prior violent felony or stalking felony, a prior final protective order against the person, or proof that a continuous order is needed. Either party can move to extend, modify or vacate it. 22 O.S. § 60.4(G) |
| Oregon | A FAPA restraining order lasts 2 years from the date it is issued unless changed or ended earlier. The court can renew it for another 2 years if a person in your situation would reasonably fear further abuse; a new act of abuse is not required, and renewal can be requested ex parte. ORS 107.716(6), 107.718(3), 107.725 |
| Pennsylvania | A final PFA order or consent agreement lasts for a fixed period of up to 3 years. It can be extended after notice and a hearing if there were new acts of abuse or a pattern showing continued risk; it is also extended while a contempt charge is pending, and can be extended when the defendant is being released from incarceration within 90 days. 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108(d)-(e) |
| Rhode Island | Relief is for a fixed period of up to 3 years. Before it ends, the plaintiff can ask the court to extend it for as long as needed to protect against abuse. Either party can ask to modify it. R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-15-3(m)(2) |
| South Carolina | An order of protection lasts a fixed time of at least 6 months and no more than 1 year. Either party can ask to extend or end it for good cause with notice to the other; the respondent has a right to a hearing on an extension within 30 days of the expiration date. S.C. Code § 20-4-70(A) |
| South Dakota | A protection order is for a fixed period of up to 5 years. Either party can ask the court to modify it. SDCL 25-10-1(2), 25-10-5, 25-10-10 |
| Tennessee | An order of protection lasts a definite period of up to 1 year. It can be continued for further 1-year periods on a showing of cause at a new hearing. If the respondent is found to have violated it, the court can extend it up to 5 years (up to 10 years for a second or later violation). Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 36-3-605(b), (d), 36-3-608(a) |
| Texas | A protective order lasts for the period stated, up to 2 years (or 2 years if no period is stated). It can last longer than 2 years if the court finds a felony family violence act, serious bodily injury, or two or more prior protective orders for the same person. Some orders run until 2 years after a divorce or custody case ends, and orders are automatically extended if the respondent is released from jail or prison near or after the expiration date. Tex. Fam. Code §§ 85.025, 85.026 |
| Utah | A cohabitant abuse protective order automatically expires 3 years after it is entered, unless you file a motion before it expires showing a current reasonable fear of future harm or a later violation or qualifying offense. The civil provisions (such as custody, support, and household items) expire after 150 days unless the court finds good cause to extend them. The criminal provisions cannot be vacated within 2 years unless the petitioner personally consents in court or by verified affidavit. Utah Code 78B-7-606, 78B-7-603(10) |
| Vermont | Relief is granted for a fixed period set by the court. Before it ends, you can ask the court to extend it for as long as needed for protection; the court does not need to find new abuse to extend it. Either party can ask to modify it based on a substantial change in circumstances. 15 V.S.A. § 1103(e) |
| Virginia | A full protective order can last up to 2 years, or up to 4 years if the respondent was subject to a previous protective order within 10 years. Before it expires, you can file a written motion to extend it; extensions can be for up to 2 years at a time. Va. Code § 16.1-279.1(B) |
| Washington | After a hearing, the court can grant relief for a fixed period or enter a permanent order. Except for antiharassment orders, a fixed order cannot be shorter than 1 year unless the petitioner asks. Restraints on contact with the respondent's own minor children are limited to 1 year. You can move to renew a fixed-term order within the 90 days before it expires; a renewal hearing is set within 14 days. RCW 7.105.315, 7.105.405(1) |
| West Virginia | A protective order lasts 90 or 180 days, at the court's discretion; if you send a written renewal request before it expires, the court extends it another 90 days. It can be 1 year if aggravating factors are present (such as a prior violation, two or more prior orders in 5 years, or prior domestic violence convictions), and a 1-year order can be extended further after a material violation. W. Va. Code § 48-27-505 |
| Wisconsin | An injunction lasts as long as the petitioner requests, up to 4 years. When it expires, the court must extend it if the petitioner says an extension is needed for protection, up to 4 years from the original date. The court can order up to 10 years if there is a substantial risk of homicide or sexual assault, and in some cases a permanent injunction. Wis. Stat. § 813.12(4)(c)-(d) |
| Wyoming | An order of protection lasts a fixed period of up to 3 years. Either party can move to modify, end or extend it, and it can be extended repeatedly for good cause, up to 3 years each time. Time the respondent spends incarcerated does not count, and after release the order lasts at least 1 more year. W.S. 35-21-106(b) |
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.