How to Get a Restraining Order in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma these are called Victim Protective Order (VPO), including emergency ex parte orders and final protective orders. 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 Oklahoma
- Cost
- No filing fee, service fee or other cost can be charged to the petitioner, whether or not the order is granted. 22 O.S. § 60.2(C)
- Emergency / temporary orders
- If you ask for an emergency ex parte order, the court holds a hearing the same day you file and can issue an order to protect you from immediate and present danger. It lasts until after the full hearing. 22 O.S. § 60.3(A), (C)
- How long an order lasts
- 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. 22 O.S. § 60.4(G)
- Where to ask
- File in the district court in the county where the victim lives, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse happened. 22 O.S. §§ 60.2(A)-(B), (D), 60.3(C)
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 | Oklahoma issues Victim Protective Orders under the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act. They cover domestic abuse, stalking, harassment and rape, and certain other crime victims. The steps are an emergency ex parte order (or an after-hours emergency temporary order requested through a police officer) and a final protective order after a hearing. |
|---|---|
| Who can ask for an order | Victims of domestic abuse, stalking, harassment or rape; any adult victim of a crime; an adult or emancipated minor household member on behalf of a minor or incompetent family or household member; and minors aged 16 or 17. Domestic abuse covers current or former spouses, dating partners, people who have a child together, people who live or lived together intimately, and family or household members. If you are not a family or household member and have not dated the respondent, you must first file a complaint with law enforcement before filing the petition. Source: 22 O.S. §§ 60.1, 60.2(A) |
| Where to ask | File in the district court in the county where the victim lives, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse happened. The court clerk provides the petition forms and the clerk, victim-witness coordinator or a victim support person can help fill them out. If abuse happens when the court is closed, you can ask a police officer to request an emergency temporary order from a judge. If the respondent is a minor, file with the court that handles juvenile matters. |
| Cost | No filing fee, service fee or other cost can be charged to the petitioner, whether or not the order is granted. The court may order the respondent to pay costs if an order is granted (and can waive them if the respondent cannot pay). Costs may be charged to a petitioner only if the court finds the petition was filed frivolously. Source: 22 O.S. § 60.2(C) |
Emergency orders and the hearing
| Emergency / temporary orders | If you ask for an emergency ex parte order, the court holds a hearing the same day you file and can issue an order to protect you from immediate and present danger. It lasts until after the full hearing. After hours, a judge can issue an emergency temporary order through a police officer; it lasts until the court date set when it was approved, and must be heard within 14 days. Source: 22 O.S. § 60.3(A), (C) |
|---|---|
| Serving the order | The petition, notice of hearing and any emergency order are served on the respondent like a bench warrant, usually by the sheriff. Emergency orders get priority and can be served 24 hours a day; the sheriff can use other officers or private process servers if needed. The petitioner is not charged for service. Source: 22 O.S. §§ 60.4(A), 60.2(C) |
| The court hearing | The court schedules a full hearing within 14 days after the petition is filed (within 72 hours in some cases involving a minor respondent removed from the home or suspended visitation). If the respondent has not been served yet, the court can issue a new emergency order with a new date, and the petition can renew every 14 days until service. A victim support person may accompany you. Section 60.4 currently has two versions from 2025 laws; these points appear in both. Source: 22 O.S. § 60.4(B), (L) |
| How long an order lasts | 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. Source: 22 O.S. § 60.4(G) |
What the order does
| What an order can require | The court can set any terms reasonably needed to stop the abuse, stalking or harassment, and may order the respondent to attend certified counseling or treatment (but not couples counseling or mediation). It can give you care of pets and order the respondent to stay away from them, temporarily suspend or change child visitation to protect against abuse, and transfer a wireless phone number or household utility account to you. A protective order does not decide divorce, custody, child support or property title. |
|---|---|
| Firearms | Police must seize any weapon they have probable cause to believe was used in an act of domestic abuse, and the district attorney may seek forfeiture. The Oklahoma statutes read did not include a general firearm surrender requirement for protective orders; federal law may separately restrict firearm possession by people under certain protective orders. Source: 22 O.S. § 60.8 |
| If the order is violated | Violating a served emergency, ex parte or final protective order is a misdemeanor (up to $1,000 fine and/or 1 year in jail). A second or later violation is a felony. A violation that causes physical injury carries at least 20 days in jail, and a repeat injury violation is a felony. Police must arrest without a warrant when they have reasonable cause to believe a served order was violated. Section 60.6 currently has two versions from 2025 laws. Source: 22 O.S. §§ 60.6, 60.9 |
Children and privacy
| Minors and children | Minors aged 16 or 17 may file on their own. An adult or emancipated minor household member can file on behalf of a minor. If the respondent is a minor, the case goes to the juvenile court and the hearing may be within 72 hours if the minor was removed from the home. Source: 22 O.S. §§ 60.2(A), 60.4(B) |
|---|---|
| Keeping your address private | The Oklahoma Attorney General runs the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), which gives a substitute address and free mail forwarding to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking and child abduction (and adults living with them) who fear for their safety and have recently moved or plan to move. You apply in person through a designated victim assistance program. Toll-free: (866) 227-7784. Source: 22 O.S. § 60.14 |
Forms and help in Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General, Victim Advocacy and Services Unit (24-hour SafeLine) — 1-800-522-SAFE (7233)
- Free legal aid in Oklahoma
Oklahoma protective order FAQ
What kinds of protective orders are available in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma issues Victim Protective Orders under the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act. They cover domestic abuse, stalking, harassment and rape, and certain other crime victims. The steps are an emergency ex parte order (or an after-hours emergency temporary order requested through a police officer) and a final protective order after a hearing.
Who can get a restraining order in Oklahoma?
Victims of domestic abuse, stalking, harassment or rape; any adult victim of a crime; an adult or emancipated minor household member on behalf of a minor or incompetent family or household member; and minors aged 16 or 17. Domestic abuse covers current or former spouses, dating partners, people who have a child together, people who live or lived together intimately, and family or household members. If you are not a family or household member and have not dated the respondent, you must first file a complaint with law enforcement before filing the petition.
Where do I file for a restraining order in Oklahoma?
File in the district court in the county where the victim lives, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse happened. The court clerk provides the petition forms and the clerk, victim-witness coordinator or a victim support person can help fill them out. If abuse happens when the court is closed, you can ask a police officer to request an emergency temporary order from a judge. If the respondent is a minor, file with the court that handles juvenile matters.
Does it cost money to get a restraining order in Oklahoma?
No filing fee, service fee or other cost can be charged to the petitioner, whether or not the order is granted. The court may order the respondent to pay costs if an order is granted (and can waive them if the respondent cannot pay). Costs may be charged to a petitioner only if the court finds the petition was filed frivolously.
How fast can I get an emergency protective order in Oklahoma?
If you ask for an emergency ex parte order, the court holds a hearing the same day you file and can issue an order to protect you from immediate and present danger. It lasts until after the full hearing. After hours, a judge can issue an emergency temporary order through a police officer; it lasts until the court date set when it was approved, and must be heard within 14 days.
What happens at the restraining order hearing in Oklahoma?
The court schedules a full hearing within 14 days after the petition is filed (within 72 hours in some cases involving a minor respondent removed from the home or suspended visitation). If the respondent has not been served yet, the court can issue a new emergency order with a new date, and the petition can renew every 14 days until service. A victim support person may accompany you.
How long does a restraining order last in 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.
What can a protective order do in Oklahoma?
The court can set any terms reasonably needed to stop the abuse, stalking or harassment, and may order the respondent to attend certified counseling or treatment (but not couples counseling or mediation). It can give you care of pets and order the respondent to stay away from them, temporarily suspend or change child visitation to protect against abuse, and transfer a wireless phone number or household utility account to you. A protective order does not decide divorce, custody, child support or property title.
Does a protective order affect firearms in Oklahoma?
Police must seize any weapon they have probable cause to believe was used in an act of domestic abuse, and the district attorney may seek forfeiture.
How is a restraining order served in Oklahoma?
The petition, notice of hearing and any emergency order are served on the respondent like a bench warrant, usually by the sheriff. Emergency orders get priority and can be served 24 hours a day; the sheriff can use other officers or private process servers if needed. The petitioner is not charged for service.
What happens if someone violates a protective order in Oklahoma?
Violating a served emergency, ex parte or final protective order is a misdemeanor (up to $1,000 fine and/or 1 year in jail). A second or later violation is a felony. A violation that causes physical injury carries at least 20 days in jail, and a repeat injury violation is a felony. Police must arrest without a warrant when they have reasonable cause to believe a served order was violated.
Can a minor get a restraining order in Oklahoma?
Minors aged 16 or 17 may file on their own. An adult or emancipated minor household member can file on behalf of a minor. If the respondent is a minor, the case goes to the juvenile court and the hearing may be within 72 hours if the minor was removed from the home.
Can I keep my address confidential in Oklahoma?
The Oklahoma Attorney General runs the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), which gives a substitute address and free mail forwarding to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking and child abduction (and adults living with them) who fear for their safety and have recently moved or plan to move. You apply in person through a designated victim assistance program. Toll-free: (866) 227-7784.
Protective orders in other states
More Oklahoma law
- Oklahoma tenant rights & landlord-tenant law
- Oklahoma small claims court
- Oklahoma wills, probate & estates
- Oklahoma employment law
- Oklahoma debt & collections
- Oklahoma unemployment benefits
- Oklahoma divorce & family law
- Oklahoma expungement & criminal records
- Oklahoma traffic tickets & dui
- Oklahoma personal injury & wrongful death
- Oklahoma workers' compensation
- Oklahoma foreclosure & homeowner law
- Oklahoma consumer protection
- Oklahoma starting an llc & small business
- Oklahoma bankruptcy
- Oklahoma car insurance & vehicle laws
- Oklahoma property tax & homestead exemptions
- Oklahoma criminal law
- Oklahoma gun laws
- Find a lawyer or free legal help in Oklahoma
- All Oklahoma law guides
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.