How to Get a Restraining Order in Maryland
In Maryland these are called Protective Order (interim, temporary, and final) for domestic violence; Peace Order for people whose relationship does not qualify. 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 Maryland
- Cost
- Free. The petitioner cannot be charged a filing fee or costs for issuing or serving an interim, temporary or final protective order, or a witness subpoena. Md. Code, Fam. Law §4-504(c)
- Emergency / temporary orders
- When courts are closed, a commissioner holds an immediate hearing and can issue an interim protective order, which lasts about two days until a temporary hearing before a judge. Md. Code, Fam. Law §§4-504.1, 4-505(a), (c)
- How long an order lasts
- Usually up to 1 year. Up to 2 years in some repeat cases (new abuse within a year after a prior order expired). Md. Code, Fam. Law §4-506(j)-(k); §4-507(a)
- Where to ask
- At a courthouse (District or Circuit Court) during court hours, usually 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays; if you have a custody or divorce case with the other person, consider filing where that case was heard. Md. Code, Fam. Law §4-504; Maryland Judiciary DV page
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 | Protective orders for abuse between family or household members, intimate partners, vulnerable adults, and recent sexual assault victims. They come in three stages: an interim order from a District Court Commissioner when courts are closed, a temporary order from a judge, and a final order after a full hearing. People whose relationship does not qualify (neighbors, strangers, non-sexual dating partners) can ask for a peace order. |
|---|---|
| Who can ask for an order | A current or former spouse; a cohabitant; someone related by blood, marriage or adoption; a parent, stepparent, child or stepchild who lived with the respondent or petitioner for at least 90 days in the past year; a vulnerable adult; someone with a child in common; someone who had a sexual relationship with the respondent in the past year; and someone who was raped or sexually assaulted (or an attempt) by the respondent in the past 6 months. The petition can be filed if the abuse happened in Maryland or the person needing protection lives in Maryland. |
| Where to ask | At a courthouse (District or Circuit Court) during court hours, usually 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays; if you have a custody or divorce case with the other person, consider filing where that case was heard. When courts are closed, file with a District Court Commissioner's Office, which accepts protective order petitions only when courts are closed. Petitions for a temporary order can also be filed electronically from approved domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking programs, child advocacy centers, vulnerable adult programs, or a hospital where you are being treated, with a video hearing. |
| Cost | Free. The petitioner cannot be charged a filing fee or costs for issuing or serving an interim, temporary or final protective order, or a witness subpoena. Source: Md. Code, Fam. Law §4-504(c) |
Emergency orders and the hearing
| Emergency / temporary orders | When courts are closed, a commissioner holds an immediate hearing and can issue an interim protective order, which lasts about two days until a temporary hearing before a judge. During court hours, a judge can issue a temporary protective order the same day if there are reasonable grounds to believe abuse occurred; it lasts up to 7 days after service and can be extended up to 6 months if needed to serve the respondent or for good cause. The respondent does not need to be present. |
|---|---|
| Serving the order | Law enforcement serves the respondent at no cost to the petitioner. You can ask to be notified when the order is served, and you can register the case with the state's VINE Protective Order (VPO) notification system. |
| The court hearing | A final protective order hearing is normally held before the temporary order expires (about 7 days after service). Both people may attend and offer testimony and evidence. If the court is closed on the day the temporary order would expire, it stays in effect until the second day the court is open. |
| How long an order lasts | 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. |
What the order does
| What an order can require | Order the respondent to stop abusing, threatening or harassing you; have no contact; stay away from your home, work, school and child-care provider; and leave a shared home (if you are married or your name is on the lease or deed, or you lived there 90 days in the past year). It can also address temporary custody, possession of a pet, and firearms. A final order can add use of a jointly owned vehicle, counseling, temporary visitation, and emergency family maintenance (financial support). |
|---|---|
| Firearms | Every final protective order requires the respondent to surrender any firearm to law enforcement and not possess firearms while the order lasts. A temporary order can also require surrender when the abuse involved use or threatened use of a firearm, among other grounds. |
| If the order is violated | Violating certain terms (such as contact, harassment, abuse, or staying away) is a misdemeanor: up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine for a first offense, and up to 1 year and/or $2,500 for a later offense. Police may arrest. You can also file a Petition for Contempt (CC-DC-DV-007) for violation of any term. Source: Md. Code, Fam. Law §4-509 |
Children and privacy
| Minors and children | For a child, a petition can be filed by the State's Attorney, the local department of social services, a relative by blood, marriage or adoption, or an adult who lives in the home. Child abuse can be the basis for an order. |
|---|---|
| Keeping your address private | The Maryland Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program (Secretary of State) lets victims of domestic violence and human trafficking use a substitute address with Maryland agencies. Phone 410-260-3875. In a court case you can also ask to withhold your address using form CC-DC-DV-026. |
Forms and help in Maryland
- Maryland courts: protective order help
- Official Maryland protective order forms
- Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (listed on the Maryland Judiciary DV page)
- Free legal aid in Maryland
Maryland protective order FAQ
What kinds of protective orders are available in Maryland?
Protective orders for abuse between family or household members, intimate partners, vulnerable adults, and recent sexual assault victims. They come in three stages: an interim order from a District Court Commissioner when courts are closed, a temporary order from a judge, and a final order after a full hearing. People whose relationship does not qualify (neighbors, strangers, non-sexual dating partners) can ask for a peace order.
Who can get a restraining order in Maryland?
A current or former spouse; a cohabitant; someone related by blood, marriage or adoption; a parent, stepparent, child or stepchild who lived with the respondent or petitioner for at least 90 days in the past year; a vulnerable adult; someone with a child in common; someone who had a sexual relationship with the respondent in the past year; and someone who was raped or sexually assaulted (or an attempt) by the respondent in the past 6 months. The petition can be filed if the abuse happened in Maryland or the person needing protection lives in Maryland.
Where do I file for a restraining order in Maryland?
At a courthouse (District or Circuit Court) during court hours, usually 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays; if you have a custody or divorce case with the other person, consider filing where that case was heard. When courts are closed, file with a District Court Commissioner's Office, which accepts protective order petitions only when courts are closed. Petitions for a temporary order can also be filed electronically from approved domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking programs, child advocacy centers, vulnerable adult programs, or a hospital where you are being treated, with a video hearing.
Does it cost money to get a restraining order in Maryland?
Free. The petitioner cannot be charged a filing fee or costs for issuing or serving an interim, temporary or final protective order, or a witness subpoena.
How fast can I get an emergency protective order in Maryland?
When courts are closed, a commissioner holds an immediate hearing and can issue an interim protective order, which lasts about two days until a temporary hearing before a judge. During court hours, a judge can issue a temporary protective order the same day if there are reasonable grounds to believe abuse occurred; it lasts up to 7 days after service and can be extended up to 6 months if needed to serve the respondent or for good cause. The respondent does not need to be present.
What happens at the restraining order hearing in Maryland?
A final protective order hearing is normally held before the temporary order expires (about 7 days after service). Both people may attend and offer testimony and evidence. If the court is closed on the day the temporary order would expire, it stays in effect until the second day the court is open.
How long does a restraining order last in 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.
What can a protective order do in Maryland?
Order the respondent to stop abusing, threatening or harassing you; have no contact; stay away from your home, work, school and child-care provider; and leave a shared home (if you are married or your name is on the lease or deed, or you lived there 90 days in the past year). It can also address temporary custody, possession of a pet, and firearms. A final order can add use of a jointly owned vehicle, counseling, temporary visitation, and emergency family maintenance (financial support).
Does a protective order affect firearms in Maryland?
Every final protective order requires the respondent to surrender any firearm to law enforcement and not possess firearms while the order lasts. A temporary order can also require surrender when the abuse involved use or threatened use of a firearm, among other grounds.
How is a restraining order served in Maryland?
Law enforcement serves the respondent at no cost to the petitioner. You can ask to be notified when the order is served, and you can register the case with the state's VINE Protective Order (VPO) notification system.
What happens if someone violates a protective order in Maryland?
Violating certain terms (such as contact, harassment, abuse, or staying away) is a misdemeanor: up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine for a first offense, and up to 1 year and/or $2,500 for a later offense. Police may arrest. You can also file a Petition for Contempt (CC-DC-DV-007) for violation of any term.
Can a minor get a restraining order in Maryland?
For a child, a petition can be filed by the State's Attorney, the local department of social services, a relative by blood, marriage or adoption, or an adult who lives in the home. Child abuse can be the basis for an order.
Can I keep my address confidential in Maryland?
The Maryland Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program (Secretary of State) lets victims of domestic violence and human trafficking use a substitute address with Maryland agencies. Phone 410-260-3875. In a court case you can also ask to withhold your address using form CC-DC-DV-026.
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.