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All Laws Decoded

How to Get a Restraining Order in Vermont

In Vermont these are called Relief From Abuse (RFA) order; also Orders Against Stalking or Sexual Assault, RFA for vulnerable adults, Extreme Risk Protection 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 Vermont

Cost
No filing fee is required for a relief from abuse complaint. 15 V.S.A. § 1103(f)
Emergency / temporary orders
A temporary order can be issued ex parte (without notice to the defendant) if the court finds abuse. 15 V.S.A. §§ 1104(a), 1105(b)(2)
How long an order lasts
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. 15 V.S.A. § 1103(e)
Where to ask
RFA requests are filed in the Family Division of the Superior Court in the county where you live; if you left home to avoid abuse, you can file in the county of your old or new home. 15 V.S.A. §§ 1102, 1106(b); Vermont Judiciary Protective Orders page

Last verified: 2026-10-25

Safety first

Getting an order

Types of ordersVermont has the Relief From Abuse (RFA) order for abuse by a family or household member; the Order Against Stalking and the Order Against Sexual Assault (when the person is not a family or household member); the RFA order for a vulnerable adult; and the Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO).
Source: Vermont Judiciary Protective Orders page; 15 V.S.A. ch. 21; 12 V.S.A. ch. 178
Who can ask for an orderAn RFA order is for abuse by a family or household member: someone you live or lived with, someone you have or had a sexual relationship with, or someone you are dating or used to date (minors or adults). Abuse includes physical harm or attempts, fear of imminent serious harm, child abuse, stalking, sexual assault, and coercive controlling behavior. You can file for yourself and your children, or just for your child.
Source: 15 V.S.A. §§ 1101, 1103(a); Vermont Judiciary Protective Orders page
Where to askRFA requests are filed in the Family Division of the Superior Court in the county where you live; if you left home to avoid abuse, you can file in the county of your old or new home. Stalking and sexual assault orders are filed in the Civil Division. Emergency orders can be issued by a judge of any division, and the courts must provide access after regular hours, on weekends and holidays, including electronic filing with the oath given by phone.
Source: 15 V.S.A. §§ 1102, 1106(b); Vermont Judiciary Protective Orders page
CostNo filing fee is required for a relief from abuse complaint.
Whether any service fee applies was not stated in the text read.
Source: 15 V.S.A. § 1103(f)

Emergency orders and the hearing

Emergency / temporary ordersA temporary order can be issued ex parte (without notice to the defendant) if the court finds abuse. With immediate danger of further abuse, it can order no abuse, no contact, stay-away, no cruelty to pets, and immediate relinquishment of all firearms; it can also order the defendant out of the home if you would otherwise be without shelter, give temporary custody, and give you a vehicle. The temporary order stays in effect until dismissed or until the petition is decided at the final hearing.
Source: 15 V.S.A. §§ 1104(a), 1105(b)(2)
Serving the orderOrders are served by law enforcement as soon as possible, ahead of other papers, in a way that protects the plaintiff's safety and without advance notice to the defendant. A defendant who is told of the order on the record at a hearing is considered served.
Source: 15 V.S.A. § 1105
The court hearingEach temporary order states a date for the defendant to contest it, no more than 14 days after it is issued. You must prove abuse by a preponderance of the evidence. If the defendant cannot be served before the hearing, the court will continue the hearing and extend the order at your request.
Source: 15 V.S.A. §§ 1104(b), 1103(b), 1105(d)
How long an order lastsRelief 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.
Source: 15 V.S.A. § 1103(e)

What the order does

What an order can requireA final RFA order can bar abuse and contact (directly, indirectly or electronically) and require the defendant to stay a set distance from you, your children, your home and other places; order the defendant to leave the home; award temporary parental rights and set safe parent-child contact; order up to 3 months of living expenses or child support; decide care of pets; require return of personal documents such as immigration papers and IDs; award a vehicle; and require a domestic violence accountability program. The Judiciary lists 'no firearms' among the possible terms.
Source: 15 V.S.A. § 1103(c); Vermont Judiciary Protective Orders page
FirearmsA temporary (emergency) order can require the defendant to immediately relinquish all firearms and not acquire or possess any while the order is in effect. The Judiciary lists 'no firearms' as a possible term of an RFA order.
Federal law may also restrict firearm possession under certain protection orders.
Source: 15 V.S.A. § 1104(a)(1)(E); Vermont Judiciary Protective Orders page
If the order is violatedIntentionally violating an abuse prevention order after being served is a crime punishable by up to 1 year in prison and/or a $5,000 fine; a second offense (or one after certain domestic assault convictions) carries up to 3 years and/or $25,000. It may also be prosecuted as criminal contempt.
Source: 13 V.S.A. § 1030(a)-(b); 15 V.S.A. § 1103(j)

Children and privacy

Minors and childrenA minor 16 or older, or a minor of any age who is in a dating relationship, can file on their own behalf. A parent can file for themselves and their children, or just for a child.
Source: 15 V.S.A. §§ 1103(a), 1104(a); Vermont Judiciary Protective Orders page
Keeping your address privateThe Vermont Secretary of State runs Safe at Home, an address confidentiality and protected records service for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking (and certain healthcare providers and patients). It is a mail-forwarding service; an Applicant Assistant (survivor advocate) can help, reachable through 800-439-8683.
Source: Vermont Secretary of State Safe at Home page

Forms and help in Vermont

Vermont protective order FAQ

What kinds of protective orders are available in Vermont?
Vermont has the Relief From Abuse (RFA) order for abuse by a family or household member; the Order Against Stalking and the Order Against Sexual Assault (when the person is not a family or household member); the RFA order for a vulnerable adult; and the Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO).
Who can get a restraining order in Vermont?
An RFA order is for abuse by a family or household member: someone you live or lived with, someone you have or had a sexual relationship with, or someone you are dating or used to date (minors or adults). Abuse includes physical harm or attempts, fear of imminent serious harm, child abuse, stalking, sexual assault, and coercive controlling behavior. You can file for yourself and your children, or just for your child.
Where do I file for a restraining order in Vermont?
RFA requests are filed in the Family Division of the Superior Court in the county where you live; if you left home to avoid abuse, you can file in the county of your old or new home. Stalking and sexual assault orders are filed in the Civil Division. Emergency orders can be issued by a judge of any division, and the courts must provide access after regular hours, on weekends and holidays, including electronic filing with the oath given by phone.
Does it cost money to get a restraining order in Vermont?
No filing fee is required for a relief from abuse complaint.
How fast can I get an emergency protective order in Vermont?
A temporary order can be issued ex parte (without notice to the defendant) if the court finds abuse. With immediate danger of further abuse, it can order no abuse, no contact, stay-away, no cruelty to pets, and immediate relinquishment of all firearms; it can also order the defendant out of the home if you would otherwise be without shelter, give temporary custody, and give you a vehicle. The temporary order stays in effect until dismissed or until the petition is decided at the final hearing.
What happens at the restraining order hearing in Vermont?
Each temporary order states a date for the defendant to contest it, no more than 14 days after it is issued. You must prove abuse by a preponderance of the evidence. If the defendant cannot be served before the hearing, the court will continue the hearing and extend the order at your request.
How long does a restraining order last in 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.
What can a protective order do in Vermont?
A final RFA order can bar abuse and contact (directly, indirectly or electronically) and require the defendant to stay a set distance from you, your children, your home and other places; order the defendant to leave the home; award temporary parental rights and set safe parent-child contact; order up to 3 months of living expenses or child support; decide care of pets; require return of personal documents such as immigration papers and IDs; award a vehicle; and require a domestic violence accountability program. The Judiciary lists 'no firearms' among the possible terms.
Does a protective order affect firearms in Vermont?
A temporary (emergency) order can require the defendant to immediately relinquish all firearms and not acquire or possess any while the order is in effect. The Judiciary lists 'no firearms' as a possible term of an RFA order.
How is a restraining order served in Vermont?
Orders are served by law enforcement as soon as possible, ahead of other papers, in a way that protects the plaintiff's safety and without advance notice to the defendant. A defendant who is told of the order on the record at a hearing is considered served.
What happens if someone violates a protective order in Vermont?
Intentionally violating an abuse prevention order after being served is a crime punishable by up to 1 year in prison and/or a $5,000 fine; a second offense (or one after certain domestic assault convictions) carries up to 3 years and/or $25,000. It may also be prosecuted as criminal contempt.
Can a minor get a restraining order in Vermont?
A minor 16 or older, or a minor of any age who is in a dating relationship, can file on their own behalf. A parent can file for themselves and their children, or just for a child.
Can I keep my address confidential in Vermont?
The Vermont Secretary of State runs Safe at Home, an address confidentiality and protected records service for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking (and certain healthcare providers and patients). It is a mail-forwarding service; an Applicant Assistant (survivor advocate) can help, reachable through 800-439-8683.

Protective orders in other states

More Vermont law

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.