How to Get a Protection Order in Arizona (2025 Guide)
Step-by-step information on seeking a protection order in Arizona after domestic violence.
Protection Orders in Arizona: Basic Safety Information
What a Protection Order Is in Arizona
A protection order in Arizona is a court order that tells someone to stop harmful or threatening behaviour and to stay away from the person asking for protection. It is a safety tool, not a criminal charge by itself, although violating an order can lead to criminal consequences.
The order can place rules around contact, distance, and sometimes temporary decisions about children or shared spaces. It is meant to reduce immediate risk and give time to plan next steps.
Procedures, forms, and names for orders can change over time in Arizona. Local courts and legal help organizations can explain the most current options for your situation.
Who Can Usually Apply
In Arizona, a person can usually ask for a protection order when there has been violence, threats, stalking, harassment, or other harmful behaviour. The relationship to the other person can affect which type of order is available.
Common situations where someone may qualify include:
- Current or former intimate partners, including dating partners
- Spouses or former spouses
- People who live or lived together
- Family members related by blood, marriage, or adoption
- Parents of a child in common
- People experiencing stalking, harassment, or threats from someone they may not know well
Children, older adults, or adults with disabilities may have a parent, guardian, or another responsible adult ask the court for an order on their behalf in some situations.
Every case is different. Court staff or a legal advocate can explain whether your situation fits the requirements for a protection order in Arizona.
Where to File and Who Can Help
In Arizona, protection orders are usually filed in local courts. Depending on the situation, people often go to:
- City or municipal courts
- Justice courts
- Superior courts, especially when there are child-related issues
Court websites often list which court handles which types of protection orders for a particular area. Some courts allow online filing, while others require going in person.
People who may help with forms and information include:
- Court clerks – can give basic information about forms, filing steps, and court dates. They cannot give legal advice or tell someone what to write.
- Domestic violence advocates – may be available through local shelters, community organizations, or court-based programs. They can often help with safety planning and understanding options.
- Legal aid or pro bono programs – may offer free or low-cost legal information, and sometimes representation, based on eligibility.
- Some police departments – may provide information about how to request an order and how service of the order works.
Additional support options across the United States can also be found through resources listed at https://www.dv.support.
Steps in the Protection Order Process
1. Filing the Request
The process usually starts with completing court forms that describe what has happened and why protection is needed. The person asking for protection (often called the “petitioner”) explains specific behaviours, such as threats, physical violence, or repeated unwanted contact.
Forms may be completed:
- Online (if available in that court)
- At the courthouse, using paper forms or computer kiosks
- With the help of an advocate or legal clinic
After the forms are completed, they are turned in to the court clerk, who then sends them to a judge for review, sometimes on the same day.
2. Temporary Protections
A judge may decide to grant a temporary order based only on the written forms and a brief conversation with the person requesting protection. This is sometimes done without notifying the other person first, to reduce immediate risk.
If the temporary order is granted, it usually takes effect once the other person (often called the “respondent”) is officially served with the paperwork.
3. Serving the Respondent
The respondent must be officially informed about the order and any upcoming hearing. This is called “service.” In Arizona, service may be done by:
- Law enforcement officers
- Process servers
- Other methods allowed by Arizona rules, depending on the court and situation
The person asking for protection is not expected to serve the papers themselves. The court or local law enforcement can usually explain how service works and who is responsible in that area.
Service of the order can sometimes increase tension or risk. It may help to think about where to stay and who to inform once the other person receives the paperwork.
4. Scheduling a Hearing
The court may schedule a hearing so both sides can be heard. In some situations, the hearing is set automatically when a temporary order is granted. In other cases, a hearing is scheduled only if the respondent requests one, or if there are child-related issues to be decided.
The notice of hearing usually lists the date, time, and location (or video/phone information) and is given to both parties.
Possible Protections the Court May Order
Every case is different, and the protections granted depend on what the judge believes is necessary for safety. Common protections that may be requested in an Arizona protection order include:
- Stay-away provisions – requiring the respondent to stay a certain distance away from the survivor’s home, work, school, or other important places.
- No-contact rules – preventing calls, texts, emails, social media messages, or messages sent through other people.
- Temporary child-related orders – outlining temporary arrangements for parenting time, exchanges, or decision-making, often focused on safety. These may be limited and can interact with family court cases.
- Firearms and weapons restrictions – in some cases, the court may limit or temporarily restrict the respondent’s ability to possess or buy firearms or other weapons, based on Arizona law and the specific situation.
- Other conditions – such as prohibiting the respondent from damaging property, interfering with pets, or coming to specific locations.
Judges have discretion in deciding what to include or exclude in an order. Asking for a protection does not guarantee every requested condition will be granted.
What a Hearing Is Like for the Survivor
Sharing What Happened
At a hearing, the judge listens to both sides. The survivor may be asked to briefly describe what has happened and why protection is needed. This often includes:
- Explaining recent incidents of violence, threats, or harassment
- Describing any pattern of behaviour that feels unsafe
- Clarifying how the behaviour has affected daily life and sense of safety
Judges usually ask for specific, concrete examples rather than general statements, such as dates, locations, and what was said or done.
Presenting Documents or Other Evidence
The survivor may bring documents or other materials that support their request, such as:
- Text messages, emails, or social media messages
- Photos of injuries or property damage (if available)
- Police reports, medical discharge papers, or other records
- Witness statements, if allowed by the court’s rules
The judge decides what evidence can be considered under Arizona rules. Some courts have specific instructions about how to submit digital evidence.
Questions from the Judge or the Other Side
During the hearing, the judge may ask questions to better understand the situation. If the respondent is present, they or their lawyer may also be allowed to ask questions, depending on the court’s process.
This can feel stressful or uncomfortable. Survivors can usually take a moment to breathe, ask the judge to repeat or rephrase questions, and answer as clearly and truthfully as possible.
Each courtroom has its own layout and procedures. Some Arizona courts can arrange separate waiting areas or remote appearances upon request, especially when safety concerns are raised in advance.
After the Court Makes a Decision
At the end of the hearing, the judge may:
- Grant the protection order with some or all requested protections
- Modify the requested protections
- Extend, change, or end a temporary order
- Deny the order if the legal requirements are not met
If an order is granted, the survivor usually receives a copy. It can help to keep copies in safe and accessible places, such as with a trusted person, at work or school, or stored securely online.
Violations of a valid order can be reported to law enforcement. Officers decide how to respond under Arizona law and local policies.
Checking Current Forms and Local Rules
Protection order procedures in Arizona can change over time, including:
- Which court to file in
- How to file (online, in person, or both)
- What forms to use and how detailed they must be
- Rules about hearings by phone or video
- How long orders last and how to renew or change them
Before filing, it is helpful to:
- Check the website of the local court for the latest forms and instructions
- Contact a court clerk to ask about current filing options and hearing procedures
- Speak with a legal aid office or advocate program, if available, to understand current practice
Because the law is complex and can change, this information is for general safety understanding only and is not legal advice. For guidance about a specific situation, speaking directly with a qualified legal professional or advocate in Arizona is important.