How to Get a Protective Order in Iowa
Plain-language guidance for survivors seeking a protective order in Iowa.
Understanding Domestic Violence Protective Orders in Iowa
What a Protective Order Is
In Iowa, a domestic violence protective order (sometimes called a civil protective order or no-contact order) is a court order that can help limit or control contact from someone who has been violent, threatening, or abusive. It is meant to increase safety, set clear rules about contact, and create a written record of what the court has ordered.
A protective order is a piece of paper, but it is also a legal command from a judge. If the person named in the order ignores it, police may be able to respond and charges may be possible, depending on the situation and local practice.
Who May Be Able to Apply in Iowa
Iowa law focuses on certain relationships when it comes to domestic violence protective orders. In general, a person may be able to ask for this kind of order if the abusive person is or was:
- a current or former spouse
- a person with whom they share a child
- a person they live with now, or used to live with, in the same household
- a family member or certain close relatives in the household
- a person they are or were in a romantic or intimate dating relationship with
The exact definitions of “family or household member” and “dating relationship” are set out in Iowa law and can be interpreted by a judge. If the relationship does not fit these categories, there may be other options, such as general no-contact orders in criminal cases, but those follow different rules.
Where to Get and File Forms
Protective order forms in Iowa are usually available from:
- the clerk of court office at your local county courthouse
- some court websites that allow you to view or print forms
- domestic violence or sexual assault advocacy programs, which often keep blank forms on hand
Forms are generally filed at the courthouse in the county where you live, where the abusive person lives, or where the abuse happened. Court staff can usually explain which forms are required and where to submit them, but they cannot give legal advice or tell someone what to say.
Advocates and legal aid organizations can often:
- help explain the purpose of each form in plain language
- offer support while filling out paperwork
- explain what to expect at court, step by step
Overview of the Iowa Protective Order Process
Emergency or Temporary Orders
When someone first files for a domestic violence protective order in Iowa, they can usually ask the judge for a short-term order right away, without the abusive person present. This is often called a temporary or emergency order.
To decide whether to grant a temporary order, a judge typically reads the written request and may ask brief questions. If granted, the temporary order usually lasts only until the full hearing date and does not become permanent without that later hearing.
Serving the Respondent
After the judge reviews the request, the court usually arranges for the abusive person (the respondent) to be formally notified. This is known as “service.” In many Iowa counties, law enforcement is responsible for serving the papers, which may include:
- a copy of the request for a protective order
- any temporary order the judge has signed
- notice of the date, time, and place of the full hearing
The order normally does not take full effect until it has been properly served, although some protections may start once the judge signs it, depending on local practice.
The Full Hearing
The court will usually schedule a full hearing within a set number of days. At this hearing:
- both sides have a chance to speak to the judge
- each side may present evidence, such as messages, photos, or witnesses
- the judge listens to what happened and decides whether to issue a longer-term order and what protections it should include
Some people attend the hearing alone; others have an advocate, lawyer, or interpreter with them. If the person asking for protection does not attend, the request may be dismissed, and temporary protections might end.
Possible Protections in an Iowa Order
A domestic violence protective order in Iowa can include a range of conditions, depending on what the judge believes is needed. Common protections may include:
- No-contact rules: ordering the respondent not to contact the protected person directly or through others, including in person, by phone, text, email, social media, or other methods named in the order.
- Stay-away boundaries: setting distances or specific places where the respondent cannot go, such as the protected person’s home, workplace, school, or other important locations.
- Residence or housing provisions: stating who can stay in a shared home and who must leave, even if both names are on a lease or mortgage, depending on what the judge decides.
- Temporary child-related arrangements: short-term decisions about custody, parenting time, or supervised visits, when children are involved and the court has authority to make those decisions.
In some cases, orders may also address temporary possession of certain personal items, pets, or vehicles, or require the respondent to avoid damaging property. The exact protections depend on Iowa law and the judge’s decision in each case.
How Long an Iowa Protective Order May Last
Iowa protective orders are not all the same length. A temporary or emergency order is usually short-term and is meant to last only until the full hearing. If the judge grants a longer-term domestic violence protective order after the hearing, it may last months or years, depending on what the law allows and what the judge decides.
Before a longer-term order ends, a person may be able to ask the court to extend it. Extensions usually require another request to the court and sometimes another hearing, where the judge looks at current safety concerns.
If an order expires without being renewed, it generally is no longer enforceable, but the records of what was ordered and when usually remain in the court file.
Checking Current Iowa Procedures
Court procedures and forms in Iowa can change over time and may be slightly different from one county to another. To get the most up-to-date information, it can help to:
- call or visit the clerk of court in your county and ask about current protective order forms and filing steps
- contact a local legal aid office for general information about how protective order cases usually move through your local court
- speak with a domestic violence advocate who is familiar with nearby courts and common timelines
Additional support options across the United States, including many Iowa-based resources, can be found through services listed at DV.Support.