How to Get a Protection From Abuse Order in Alabama
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Alabama · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Alabama, a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order is a civil court order that directs an abuser to stop the abuse and stay away from you, issued under the Protection From Abuse Act (Ala. Code 30-5-1 and following). You seek one when a current or former spouse, household member, family member, co-parent, or dating partner has abused you or placed you in fear of imminent abuse. What sets Alabama apart is that a final PFA order is permanent: it carries no expiration date unless the court specifies otherwise or modifies the order by a later order (Ala. Code 30-5-7). You start by filing a Petition for Protection from Abuse (Form C-2) with the circuit court in the county where you live, where the abuser lives, or where the abuse occurred. There is no court cost or fee (Ala. Code 30-5-5). A judge can grant a temporary ex parte order without the other person present, on good cause shown, and must decide within three business days (Ala. Code 30-5-6). That temporary order stays in effect until your final hearing, which is held on the defendant's request or within 10 days of service (Ala. Code 30-5-6). At the final hearing the judge decides whether to issue the permanent order. If you are in immediate danger, call 911; the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
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How do I get a Protection From Abuse order in Alabama?
File a Petition for Protection from Abuse (Form C-2) with the circuit court in your county. There is no court cost or fee (Ala. Code 30-5-5). A judge can grant a temporary ex parte order on good cause shown, without the other person present, and must rule on it within three business days of filing.
How long does it take to get a Protection From Abuse order in Alabama?
A judge can issue a temporary ex parte order without the other person present if you show good cause, and Alabama law requires the court to grant or deny that request within three business days of filing (Ala. Code 30-5-6). If you are in immediate danger, call 911 first.
How long does a Protection From Abuse order last in Alabama?
A temporary ex parte order stays in effect until your final hearing (Ala. Code 30-5-6). After the hearing, a final Protection From Abuse order is permanent: it has no expiration date unless the court specifies one or later modifies the order (Ala. Code 30-5-7). Either party can petition the court to change it.
Which court handles Protection From Abuse orders in Alabama?
You file in the circuit court, in the county where you live, where the abuser lives, where you are staying if you left home to avoid abuse, or where the abuse occurred (Ala. Code 30-5-3). Standardized petitions are available through circuit clerks' offices across the state.
Alabama Protection From Abuse law at a glance
In Alabama, a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order protects you from abuse by a current or former spouse, household member, family member, co-parent, or dating partner, under the Protection From Abuse Act (Ala. Code 30-5-1 and following). You ask for one by filing a Petition for Protection from Abuse (Form C-2) with the circuit court, and there is no court cost or fee (Ala. Code 30-5-5). A judge can grant a temporary ex parte order without notice to the other person on good cause shown, and must rule within three business days (Ala. Code 30-5-6). That temporary order lasts until your final hearing. Alabama is distinctive here: a final PFA order is of permanent duration unless the court specifies otherwise or modifies it by a later order (Ala. Code 30-5-7).
Getting an Alabama Protection From Abuse order that does not expire
Because a final Alabama Protection From Abuse order is permanent, one hearing can give you lasting protection. Suppose a former household member has been threatening you and showing up at your home. You complete a Petition for Protection from Abuse (Form C-2) and file it with the circuit court at no cost (Ala. Code 30-5-5). Within three business days, a judge reviews your statement and signs a temporary ex parte order on good cause shown (Ala. Code 30-5-6), effective until your hearing. The court has the defendant served and sets the hearing within 10 days of service. At the hearing you present screenshots and testify, and the judge issues a final order that is of permanent duration unless the court later modifies it (Ala. Code 30-5-7). You keep a copy of the signed order with you. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Ala. Code 30-5-6 (temporary ex parte order and hearing)
Authorizes a court to enter temporary ex parte protection orders on good cause shown to protect the plaintiff or children from abuse or the immediate and present danger of abuse. The court must grant or deny the request within three business days of filing, the ex parte order is effective until the final hearing date, and a hearing is held on the defendant's request or within 10 days of perfection of service.
Ala. Code 30-5-7 (permanent duration of a final order)
Provides that any final protection order is of permanent duration unless otherwise specified or modified by a subsequent court order, and that the court may amend its order at any time on a subsequent petition filed by either party after a hearing.
Ala. Code 30-5-5 (no court costs or fees)
Provides that no court costs or fees shall be assessed for the filing, issuance, registration, modification, enforcement, dismissal, withdrawal, or service of a protection order or a petition for one, and that standardized petitions are made available through the circuit clerks' offices around the state.
Ala. Code 30-5-3 (jurisdiction and where to file)
Provides that a petition may be filed where the plaintiff or defendant resides, where the plaintiff is temporarily located after leaving home to avoid further abuse, where the abuse occurred, or where a related civil matter between the parties is pending before the court.
Regional Variances
Alabama Protection From Abuse rules at a glance
Order name
Protection From Abuse (PFA) order, issued under the Protection From Abuse Act (Ala. Code 30-5-1 and following). It covers abuse by a current or former spouse, household member, family member, co-parent, or dating partner.
Where to file
The circuit court, in the county where you live, where the abuser lives, where you are staying if you left home to avoid abuse, or where the abuse occurred (Ala. Code 30-5-3). There is no court cost or fee (Ala. Code 30-5-5).
Emergency and temporary orders
A judge can grant a temporary ex parte protection order without the other person present, on good cause shown, and must rule within three business days. The ex parte order stays in effect until your final hearing (Ala. Code 30-5-6).
Final order duration
After a hearing, a final Protection From Abuse order is of permanent duration and has no expiration date unless the court specifies otherwise or modifies it by a later order (Ala. Code 30-5-7). Either party can petition to amend it.
Main form
Form C-2, Petition for Protection from Abuse, filed with the circuit court. Standardized petitions are available free through the circuit clerks' offices and the Alabama court system's e-forms site.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the Petition for Protection from Abuse (Form C-2)
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out Form C-2 describing the abuse, your relationship to the abuser, and specific dates. Use the free standardized petition from the circuit clerk or the Alabama court system's e-forms site, and ask a local domestic violence program for help if you need it. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File your petition with the circuit court
Same day you finish the petition days after startingFile the Form C-2 with the circuit court clerk in the county where you live, where the abuser lives, where you are staying after leaving home to avoid abuse, or where the abuse occurred (Ala. Code 30-5-3). There is no court cost or fee (Ala. Code 30-5-5).
Get and carry the temporary ex parte order
Within three business days of filing days after startingThe court must grant or deny your ex parte request within three business days (Ala. Code 30-5-6). If the judge signs a temporary order, get the signed copy and keep it with you. It stays in effect until your final hearing. Note your hearing date.
Make sure the defendant is served before the hearing
Before the final hearing days after startingThe court arranges service of your petition, any ex parte order, and the hearing notice on the defendant. Service must be perfected because the hearing is set within 10 days of service or on the defendant's request (Ala. Code 30-5-6). There is no service fee to you (Ala. Code 30-5-5).
Attend the final hearing with your evidence
On the scheduled hearing date days after startingGo to the hearing and bring photos, messages, medical records, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify. The court decides by a preponderance of the evidence whether to issue a final Protection From Abuse order (Ala. Code 30-5-6). If you miss the hearing, your temporary order can end.
Keep your permanent order and track any changes
After the final order is issued days after startingKeep a copy of the signed final order with you at all times. It is of permanent duration and does not expire on its own unless the court specifies otherwise or modifies it (Ala. Code 30-5-7). Either party may petition the court to amend it, and the court holds a hearing before changing it.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the Petition for Protection from Abuse (Form C-2) | Fill out Form C-2 describing the abuse, your relationship to the abuser, and specific dates. Use the free standardized petition from the circuit clerk or the Alabama court system's e-forms site, and ask a local domestic violence program for help if you need it. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as possible after the abuse |
| File your petition with the circuit court | File the Form C-2 with the circuit court clerk in the county where you live, where the abuser lives, where you are staying after leaving home to avoid abuse, or where the abuse occurred (Ala. Code 30-5-3). There is no court cost or fee (Ala. Code 30-5-5). | - | Same day you finish the petition |
| Get and carry the temporary ex parte order | The court must grant or deny your ex parte request within three business days (Ala. Code 30-5-6). If the judge signs a temporary order, get the signed copy and keep it with you. It stays in effect until your final hearing. Note your hearing date. | - | Within three business days of filing |
| Make sure the defendant is served before the hearing | The court arranges service of your petition, any ex parte order, and the hearing notice on the defendant. Service must be perfected because the hearing is set within 10 days of service or on the defendant's request (Ala. Code 30-5-6). There is no service fee to you (Ala. Code 30-5-5). | - | Before the final hearing |
| Attend the final hearing with your evidence | Go to the hearing and bring photos, messages, medical records, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify. The court decides by a preponderance of the evidence whether to issue a final Protection From Abuse order (Ala. Code 30-5-6). If you miss the hearing, your temporary order can end. | - | On the scheduled hearing date |
| Keep your permanent order and track any changes | Keep a copy of the signed final order with you at all times. It is of permanent duration and does not expire on its own unless the court specifies otherwise or modifies it (Ala. Code 30-5-7). Either party may petition the court to amend it, and the court holds a hearing before changing it. | - | After the final order is issued |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Ala. Code 30-5-5 provides that no court costs or fees shall be assessed for the filing, issuance, registration, modification, enforcement, dismissal, withdrawal, or service of a protection order or a petition for one. Costs and fees may be assessed against the defendant at the court's discretion, but not against you as the plaintiff.
You file Form C-2, the Petition for Protection from Abuse. Standardized petitions are made available through the circuit clerks' offices around the state (Ala. Code 30-5-5) and through the Alabama court system's e-forms site. The clerk can give you the petition and tell you where to file it in your county.
You can file if the person who abused you is someone you have a domestic or family relationship with, such as a current or former spouse, a household member, a family member, a co-parent, or a dating partner, under the Protection From Abuse Act. A parent or guardian can file on behalf of a child.
On good cause shown, a judge can enter a temporary ex parte protection order without the other person present when it is necessary to protect you from abuse or the immediate danger of abuse. The court must grant or deny it within three business days, and the order stays in effect until your final hearing (Ala. Code 30-5-6).
The court holds a final hearing on the defendant's request or within 10 days of service (Ala. Code 30-5-6). Both sides can attend, present evidence, and testify. The judge decides by a preponderance of the evidence whether to issue a final Protection From Abuse order and what terms to include, such as no contact and stay-away provisions.
Yes. A final Protection From Abuse order is of permanent duration unless the court specifies otherwise or modifies it by a later order (Ala. Code 30-5-7). Either party can file a petition asking the court to amend the order, and the court holds a hearing before changing it. It does not expire on its own.
Violating a Protection From Abuse order is a crime in Alabama. Call the police, who can arrest the person, and the court can also hold the abuser in contempt. Keep a copy of your order with you at all times and report every violation. Active orders are entered in a statewide database so officers can enforce them.
No. Alabama courts provide standardized Protection From Abuse petitions through the circuit clerks' offices, and many people file without a lawyer. Court clerks and local domestic violence programs can help you complete the forms. Legal help can be useful if the case is contested or the other person has an attorney.
Other Alabama guides
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