How to Get a Restraining Order in Ohio
In Ohio these are called Civil Protection Order (CPO): Domestic Violence CPO and Stalking or Sexually Oriented Offense CPO. 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 Ohio
- Cost
- The court cannot charge any fee, cost or deposit to file the petition or to issue, serve, register, modify or enforce the order, or for a certified copy. R.C. 3113.31; R.C. 2903.214
- Emergency / temporary orders
- If you ask for an emergency (ex parte) order, the court must hold the ex parte hearing the same day the petition is filed. R.C. 3113.31(D)(1); R.C. 2903.214(D)
- How long an order lasts
- 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)
- Where to ask
- Domestic violence petitions go to the domestic relations division of the county court of common pleas (or the general common pleas court if the county has no such division); R.C. 3113.31(A), (B); R.C. 2903.214(A)
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 | Ohio has a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (against a family or household member or a dating partner) and a Stalking or Sexually Oriented Offense Civil Protection Order (against anyone who commits menacing by stalking or a sexually oriented offense). There are also criminal protection orders issued in criminal cases and juvenile protection orders when the respondent is under 18. |
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| Who can ask for an order | For a domestic violence order: a spouse, someone living as a spouse, or former spouse; a parent, foster parent, child or other relative who lives or has lived with the respondent; the other parent of the respondent's child; or someone in a current dating relationship with the respondent, or one within the past 12 months. A parent or adult household member may also file on behalf of another family or household member. For a stalking or sexually oriented offense order, no relationship is required. |
| Where to ask | Domestic violence petitions go to the domestic relations division of the county court of common pleas (or the general common pleas court if the county has no such division); if the respondent is under 18, the juvenile division of the common pleas court in the county where the protected person lives. Stalking/sexually oriented offense petitions go to the common pleas court of the county where the protected person lives. Leaving home to escape violence does not affect your right to file. Standard forms are on the Supreme Court of Ohio site but are filed in the local county court. After-hours filing options were not confirmed. |
| Cost | The court cannot charge any fee, cost or deposit to file the petition or to issue, serve, register, modify or enforce the order, or for a certified copy. Source: R.C. 3113.31; R.C. 2903.214 |
Emergency orders and the hearing
| Emergency / temporary orders | If you ask for an emergency (ex parte) order, the court must hold the ex parte hearing the same day the petition is filed. The judge can issue a temporary order without the respondent there if the judge finds it necessary to protect you from immediate danger. |
|---|---|
| Serving the order | The court gives copies to the petitioner, the respondent, and all law enforcement agencies that enforce the order, and must direct that a copy be delivered to the respondent the same day it is entered. No fee may be charged for service. Source: R.C. 3113.31(F)(1) |
| The court hearing | After an ex parte order, the full hearing with notice to the respondent must be set within 7 court days if the order removed the respondent from the home, or within 10 court days for other orders. The hearing can be continued for certain reasons, such as the respondent not yet being served. |
| How long an order lasts | 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. |
What the order does
| What an order can require | The court can order the respondent to stop the abuse; give you the home by evicting the respondent or ordering them to move out; allocate parenting time and custody temporarily; order support; order counseling; order the respondent to stay away from your home, school, business or job; divide household property; order the respondent not to harm or hide a companion animal and let you take your pet; order a cell phone service transfer; and grant other fair relief. The order must say that you cannot waive it by inviting the respondent. Source: R.C. 3113.31(E)(1), (E)(7) |
|---|---|
| Firearms | The court must give both parties a written or oral notice that, because of the order, it may be unlawful for the respondent to possess or purchase a firearm or ammunition under federal law (18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8)). The pages read did not set out a separate Ohio firearm surrender procedure for civil protection orders. |
| If the order is violated | Violating a protection order is a first-degree misdemeanor. It becomes a fifth-degree felony if the person has a prior conviction for violating a protection order (or certain repeat related offenses against the same person), and a third-degree felony if committed while committing a felony. Source: R.C. 2919.27(B) |
Children and privacy
| Minors and children | A parent or adult household member may file on behalf of a child or other family or household member. When the respondent is under 18, the case goes to the juvenile division. |
|---|---|
| Keeping your address private | Ohio's address confidentiality program (Safe at Home) is run by the Ohio Secretary of State. Adults (or a parent or guardian for a minor) who live, work or go to school in Ohio and fear for their safety because they are victims of domestic violence, menacing by stalking, human trafficking, rape or sexual battery can apply with the help of an application assistant and receive a substitute address. Source: R.C. 111.42 |
Forms and help in Ohio
- Ohio courts: protective order help
- Official Ohio protective order forms
- Ohio Domestic Violence Network (statewide coalition) — 1-800-934-9840
- Free legal aid in Ohio
Ohio protective order FAQ
What kinds of protective orders are available in Ohio?
Ohio has a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (against a family or household member or a dating partner) and a Stalking or Sexually Oriented Offense Civil Protection Order (against anyone who commits menacing by stalking or a sexually oriented offense). There are also criminal protection orders issued in criminal cases and juvenile protection orders when the respondent is under 18.
Who can get a restraining order in Ohio?
For a domestic violence order: a spouse, someone living as a spouse, or former spouse; a parent, foster parent, child or other relative who lives or has lived with the respondent; the other parent of the respondent's child; or someone in a current dating relationship with the respondent, or one within the past 12 months. A parent or adult household member may also file on behalf of another family or household member. For a stalking or sexually oriented offense order, no relationship is required.
Where do I file for a restraining order in Ohio?
Domestic violence petitions go to the domestic relations division of the county court of common pleas (or the general common pleas court if the county has no such division); if the respondent is under 18, the juvenile division of the common pleas court in the county where the protected person lives. Stalking/sexually oriented offense petitions go to the common pleas court of the county where the protected person lives. Leaving home to escape violence does not affect your right to file. Standard forms are on the Supreme Court of Ohio site but are filed in the local county court.
Does it cost money to get a restraining order in Ohio?
The court cannot charge any fee, cost or deposit to file the petition or to issue, serve, register, modify or enforce the order, or for a certified copy.
How fast can I get an emergency protective order in Ohio?
If you ask for an emergency (ex parte) order, the court must hold the ex parte hearing the same day the petition is filed. The judge can issue a temporary order without the respondent there if the judge finds it necessary to protect you from immediate danger.
What happens at the restraining order hearing in Ohio?
After an ex parte order, the full hearing with notice to the respondent must be set within 7 court days if the order removed the respondent from the home, or within 10 court days for other orders. The hearing can be continued for certain reasons, such as the respondent not yet being served.
How long does a restraining order last in 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.
What can a protective order do in Ohio?
The court can order the respondent to stop the abuse; give you the home by evicting the respondent or ordering them to move out; allocate parenting time and custody temporarily; order support; order counseling; order the respondent to stay away from your home, school, business or job; divide household property; order the respondent not to harm or hide a companion animal and let you take your pet; order a cell phone service transfer; and grant other fair relief. The order must say that you cannot waive it by inviting the respondent.
Does a protective order affect firearms in Ohio?
The court must give both parties a written or oral notice that, because of the order, it may be unlawful for the respondent to possess or purchase a firearm or ammunition under federal law (18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8)).
How is a restraining order served in Ohio?
The court gives copies to the petitioner, the respondent, and all law enforcement agencies that enforce the order, and must direct that a copy be delivered to the respondent the same day it is entered. No fee may be charged for service.
What happens if someone violates a protective order in Ohio?
Violating a protection order is a first-degree misdemeanor. It becomes a fifth-degree felony if the person has a prior conviction for violating a protection order (or certain repeat related offenses against the same person), and a third-degree felony if committed while committing a felony.
Can a minor get a restraining order in Ohio?
A parent or adult household member may file on behalf of a child or other family or household member. When the respondent is under 18, the case goes to the juvenile division.
Can I keep my address confidential in Ohio?
Ohio's address confidentiality program (Safe at Home) is run by the Ohio Secretary of State. Adults (or a parent or guardian for a minor) who live, work or go to school in Ohio and fear for their safety because they are victims of domestic violence, menacing by stalking, human trafficking, rape or sexual battery can apply with the help of an application assistant and receive a substitute address.
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.