How to Get a Restraining Order in Maine
In Maine these are called Protection from Abuse (PFA) order and Protection from Harassment (PFH) order (temporary and final); Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO). 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 Maine
- Cost
- No filing or service fees for Protection from Abuse cases. A Protection from Harassment complaint may have a filing fee unless it is based on domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, sex trafficking, or sharing of private images; PUB-001 Part A.5 and Part B.6
- Emergency / temporary orders
- A judge may grant a temporary order without notice to the defendant if there is an immediate and present danger of abuse to you or a minor child. You may be asked to wait at the courthouse while a judge reviews the complaint; 19-A M.R.S. §4108; PUB-001 Part A.8 and A.13
- How long an order lasts
- A first final Protection from Abuse order can last up to 2 years; a final Protection from Harassment order up to 1 year. 19-A M.R.S. §4111; PUB-001 Parts A.24 and B.17
- Where to ask
- The District Court where you live, where the defendant lives, or where you are staying if you left home for safety. PUB-001 Part A.4; Maine Judicial Branch 'How to File a Complaint for a Protection Order'
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 | Protection from Abuse orders (family or household members, dating partners, relatives, and victims of stalking, sexual assault, sex trafficking, or sharing of private intimate images by anyone) and Protection from Harassment orders (harassment by anyone). Both have temporary and final orders. Maine courts also handle Extreme Risk Protection Orders ('red flag' orders). |
|---|---|
| Who can ask for an order | Anyone, regardless of age, abused by a family or household member, a current or former dating partner, or a relative by blood or marriage. Anyone who has been stalked, sexually assaulted, sex trafficked, or had intimate private images shared or threatened, by any person. People 60 or older and dependent or incapacitated adults can also file against extended family or unpaid caregivers. A Protection from Harassment order can be sought against anyone. |
| Where to ask | The District Court where you live, where the defendant lives, or where you are staying if you left home for safety. You can file in person at the courthouse, by mail (signature notarized), or by email if you are representing yourself. Most district courts are open weekdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; if your local court is unexpectedly closed, you can file at another open district court. |
| Cost | No filing or service fees for Protection from Abuse cases. A Protection from Harassment complaint may have a filing fee unless it is based on domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, sex trafficking, or sharing of private images; you can ask the judge to waive the fee. Source: PUB-001 Part A.5 and Part B.6 |
Emergency orders and the hearing
| Emergency / temporary orders | A judge may grant a temporary order without notice to the defendant if there is an immediate and present danger of abuse to you or a minor child. You may be asked to wait at the courthouse while a judge reviews the complaint; email filings made before 3 p.m. on a court day get a same-day reply. The temporary order is effective when signed and lasts until the final hearing; the defendant must be served or have actual notice before a violation can be charged. |
|---|---|
| Serving the order | When a temporary order is granted, the court arranges for a law enforcement officer (sheriff's deputy, state trooper, or local police) to serve the defendant in person. There are no service fees for plaintiffs in abuse cases. |
| The court hearing | A final hearing in an abuse case is scheduled within 21 days after the complaint is filed, whether or not a temporary order was granted. Harassment hearings are scheduled as soon as practicable. Hearings are in person unless the court allows video or phone participation on written request. |
| How long an order lasts | 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. |
What the order does
| What an order can require | Order the defendant not to abuse, threaten, contact, follow or stalk you, to stay away from your home, school, work and specified places, not to possess firearms or dangerous weapons, not to harm animals, and not to take or damage your property, passport or immigration papers or share intimate images. It can also give temporary possession of the home, divide personal property, decide care of animals, order support, lost earnings or moving expenses, order counseling or a domestic violence intervention program, and set temporary parental rights and child support. |
|---|---|
| Firearms | The judge can prohibit the defendant from possessing firearms or other dangerous weapons in a temporary or final order if the abuse involved use or threatened use of a weapon, or there is a heightened risk of immediate abuse. The defendant must then turn the weapons over to law enforcement or another person for as long as the order lasts. Federal law may also prohibit firearm possession under some final orders. |
| If the order is violated | Violating an order after actual notice is a Class D crime. It is a Class C crime if the violation of a final order involves assault or reckless conduct creating a substantial risk of death or serious injury, or if the person has 2 or more prior violation convictions. Police may arrest without a warrant on probable cause, even if they did not see the violation. Some money-related terms are enforced by contempt instead. Source: 19-A M.R.S. §4113 |
Children and privacy
| Minors and children | A child, a person responsible for the child, or the state child-protective department can seek an order for a child. A minor can also seek an order against anyone who sexually exploited them, shared sexually explicit images of them, or harassed them by phone or electronic device. For a harassment order, a parent or other responsible person must file for a minor. Advocates can explain how to file if you are under 18. Source: 19-A M.R.S. §4103(2); PUB-001 |
|---|---|
| Keeping your address private | The Secretary of State's Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) gives victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking who have moved to a location unknown to the abuser a designated address and free confidential mail forwarding. Participation is through a referral from a victim-service expert. ACP Manager: 207-626-8400. In a court case, you can also ask the court to keep your address and phone number confidential (form PA-015). |
Forms and help in Maine
- Maine courts: protective order help
- Official Maine protective order forms
- Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence - Statewide Domestic Abuse Helpline — 1-866-834-HELP (free and confidential); deaf, late-deafened or hard of hearing: 1-800-437-1220; Statewide Sexual Assault Helpline: 1-800-871-7741
- Free legal aid in Maine
Maine protective order FAQ
What kinds of protective orders are available in Maine?
Protection from Abuse orders (family or household members, dating partners, relatives, and victims of stalking, sexual assault, sex trafficking, or sharing of private intimate images by anyone) and Protection from Harassment orders (harassment by anyone). Both have temporary and final orders. Maine courts also handle Extreme Risk Protection Orders ('red flag' orders).
Who can get a restraining order in Maine?
Anyone, regardless of age, abused by a family or household member, a current or former dating partner, or a relative by blood or marriage. Anyone who has been stalked, sexually assaulted, sex trafficked, or had intimate private images shared or threatened, by any person. People 60 or older and dependent or incapacitated adults can also file against extended family or unpaid caregivers. A Protection from Harassment order can be sought against anyone.
Where do I file for a restraining order in Maine?
The District Court where you live, where the defendant lives, or where you are staying if you left home for safety. You can file in person at the courthouse, by mail (signature notarized), or by email if you are representing yourself. Most district courts are open weekdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; if your local court is unexpectedly closed, you can file at another open district court.
Does it cost money to get a restraining order in Maine?
No filing or service fees for Protection from Abuse cases. A Protection from Harassment complaint may have a filing fee unless it is based on domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, sex trafficking, or sharing of private images; you can ask the judge to waive the fee.
How fast can I get an emergency protective order in Maine?
A judge may grant a temporary order without notice to the defendant if there is an immediate and present danger of abuse to you or a minor child. You may be asked to wait at the courthouse while a judge reviews the complaint; email filings made before 3 p.m. on a court day get a same-day reply. The temporary order is effective when signed and lasts until the final hearing; the defendant must be served or have actual notice before a violation can be charged.
What happens at the restraining order hearing in Maine?
A final hearing in an abuse case is scheduled within 21 days after the complaint is filed, whether or not a temporary order was granted. Harassment hearings are scheduled as soon as practicable. Hearings are in person unless the court allows video or phone participation on written request.
How long does a restraining order last in 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.
What can a protective order do in Maine?
Order the defendant not to abuse, threaten, contact, follow or stalk you, to stay away from your home, school, work and specified places, not to possess firearms or dangerous weapons, not to harm animals, and not to take or damage your property, passport or immigration papers or share intimate images. It can also give temporary possession of the home, divide personal property, decide care of animals, order support, lost earnings or moving expenses, order counseling or a domestic violence intervention program, and set temporary parental rights and child support.
Does a protective order affect firearms in Maine?
The judge can prohibit the defendant from possessing firearms or other dangerous weapons in a temporary or final order if the abuse involved use or threatened use of a weapon, or there is a heightened risk of immediate abuse. The defendant must then turn the weapons over to law enforcement or another person for as long as the order lasts. Federal law may also prohibit firearm possession under some final orders.
How is a restraining order served in Maine?
When a temporary order is granted, the court arranges for a law enforcement officer (sheriff's deputy, state trooper, or local police) to serve the defendant in person. There are no service fees for plaintiffs in abuse cases.
What happens if someone violates a protective order in Maine?
Violating an order after actual notice is a Class D crime. It is a Class C crime if the violation of a final order involves assault or reckless conduct creating a substantial risk of death or serious injury, or if the person has 2 or more prior violation convictions. Police may arrest without a warrant on probable cause, even if they did not see the violation. Some money-related terms are enforced by contempt instead.
Can a minor get a restraining order in Maine?
A child, a person responsible for the child, or the state child-protective department can seek an order for a child. A minor can also seek an order against anyone who sexually exploited them, shared sexually explicit images of them, or harassed them by phone or electronic device. For a harassment order, a parent or other responsible person must file for a minor. Advocates can explain how to file if you are under 18.
Can I keep my address confidential in Maine?
The Secretary of State's Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) gives victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking who have moved to a location unknown to the abuser a designated address and free confidential mail forwarding. Participation is through a referral from a victim-service expert. ACP Manager: 207-626-8400. In a court case, you can also ask the court to keep your address and phone number confidential (form PA-015).
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.