How to Get an Order of Protection in Arizona
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Arizona · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Arizona, an Order of Protection is a civil court order that directs a person who has abused or threatened you to stop, stay away from you, and have no contact, issued under Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) 13-3602. You can seek one when the person who harmed you is a current or former spouse, someone you live or lived with, a person you have a child with, a family member, or a current or former romantic partner. You file a verified petition with a magistrate, a justice of the peace, or a superior court judge, and there is no fee to file the petition or to have the order served (A.R.S. 13-3602(D)). A judge can issue the order the same day, without the other person present, if the petition shows reasonable cause to believe the defendant may commit an act of domestic violence (A.R.S. 13-3602(E)). The order becomes effective when it is served on the defendant and stays valid for two years from the date of service (A.R.S. 13-3602(N)). The defendant can ask for one hearing, which the court holds within ten days of the request, or within five days if you were given exclusive use of the home (A.R.S. 13-3602(L)). For harassment by someone you are not related to, Arizona offers an Injunction Against Harassment instead (A.R.S. 12-1809). 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 an Order of Protection in Arizona?
File a verified Petition for an Order of Protection with a magistrate, a justice of the peace, or a superior court judge, at no cost (A.R.S. 13-3602(D)). Many petitioners prepare the petition online through AZPOINT, the Arizona courts' portal. A judge can review it and issue the order the same day you file.
How long does an Order of Protection last in Arizona?
The order becomes effective when it is served on the defendant and stays valid for two years from the date of service (A.R.S. 13-3602(N)). If the order is not served on the defendant within one year after it is issued, it expires, so having the other person served promptly matters a great deal.
How fast can I get an emergency Order of Protection in Arizona?
A judge can issue the order the same day you file, without the other person present, if the petition shows reasonable cause to believe the defendant may commit an act of domestic violence (A.R.S. 13-3602(E)). It takes effect only once the defendant is served, and law enforcement serves it at no charge.
Which court handles an Order of Protection in Arizona?
You can file with a magistrate, a justice of the peace, or a superior court judge, so municipal, justice, and superior courts all issue these orders (A.R.S. 13-3602(A)). Any court in Arizona can issue one regardless of where you or the defendant live, and the Arizona Judicial Branch offers self-help resources.
Arizona Order of Protection law at a glance
In Arizona, an Order of Protection stops a family member, partner, or household member from abusing, threatening, or contacting you, under A.R.S. 13-3602. You file a verified petition with a magistrate, a justice of the peace, or a superior court judge, and there is no fee to file it or to have it served (A.R.S. 13-3602(D)). A judge can grant it the same day, without notice to the other person, on reasonable cause to believe the defendant may commit an act of domestic violence (A.R.S. 13-3602(E)). The order takes effect on service and lasts two years from the date of service (A.R.S. 13-3602(N)), and it expires if it is not served within one year. The defendant may request one hearing, which the court holds within ten days, or within five days if you have exclusive use of the home (A.R.S. 13-3602(L)).
Getting an Arizona Order of Protection after threats from an ex-partner
Because an Arizona Order of Protection lasts two years from the date it is served, getting the other person served quickly protects you longer. Suppose a former partner in Arizona keeps coming to your home and sending threats. You prepare a Petition for an Order of Protection through AZPOINT and file it with a justice of the peace at no cost (A.R.S. 13-3602(D)). The same day, the judge finds reasonable cause and signs the order (A.R.S. 13-3602(E)). A sheriff's deputy serves your ex for free, so the order takes effect and runs two years from that date (A.R.S. 13-3602(N)). Your ex requests a hearing, which the court holds within ten days (A.R.S. 13-3602(L)); you bring screenshots and testify. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
A.R.S. 13-3602(A) and (E) (who may file and ex parte issuance)
Provide that a person may file a verified petition with a magistrate, justice of the peace, or superior court judge for an order of protection, and that the court shall issue the order if it determines there is reasonable cause to believe the defendant may commit an act of domestic violence.
A.R.S. 13-3602(D) (no filing or service fee)
Provides that a fee shall not be charged for filing a petition for an order of protection under this section or for service of process.
A.R.S. 13-3602(N) (effective on service; two-year duration)
Provides that an order of protection that is not served within one year after the date it is issued expires, that the order is effective on the defendant on service of a copy of the order and petition, and that an order expires two years after service on the defendant.
A.R.S. 12-1809 (Injunction Against Harassment for non-domestic relationships)
Authorizes a verified petition to a magistrate, justice of the peace, or superior court judge for an injunction prohibiting harassment by a person who is not in a domestic relationship, effective on the defendant on service and expiring one year after service.
Regional Variances
Arizona Order of Protection rules at a glance
Order name
Order of Protection, issued under A.R.S. 13-3602 for domestic relationships. For harassment by someone you are not related to, Arizona uses a separate Injunction Against Harassment (A.R.S. 12-1809).
Where to file
A magistrate, a justice of the peace, or a superior court judge, meaning municipal, justice, and superior courts (A.R.S. 13-3602(A)). Any Arizona court can issue one, and there is no filing fee (A.R.S. 13-3602(D)).
Emergency and temporary orders
A judge can issue the order the same day you file, without the other person present, on reasonable cause to believe the defendant may commit domestic violence (A.R.S. 13-3602(E)). It takes effect once the defendant is served.
Final order duration
The order is effective on service and expires two years after service on the defendant (A.R.S. 13-3602(N)). It expires if it is not served within one year after it is issued.
Main form
A verified Petition for an Order of Protection, often prepared through AZPOINT, the Arizona courts' online portal, then filed at a court. There is no fee to file (A.R.S. 13-3602(D)).
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Prepare the Petition for an Order of Protection
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingComplete the verified petition describing who harmed you, your relationship, and specific incidents with dates. Many Arizona petitioners use the AZPOINT online portal to prepare it. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File with a magistrate, justice court, or superior court
Same day you finish the petition days after startingFile your verified petition with a magistrate, a justice of the peace, or a superior court judge (A.R.S. 13-3602(A)). Any Arizona court can issue the order regardless of where you or the defendant live. There is no fee to file (A.R.S. 13-3602(D)).
Get and carry the signed order
Same day the judge signs it days after startingIf the judge grants the order on reasonable cause (A.R.S. 13-3602(E)), get the signed copy and keep it with you. The order does not take effect until the defendant is served, so arrange service right away.
Arrange service on the defendant
Well before one year from issuance days after startingHave law enforcement serve the defendant with a copy of the order and petition at no charge (A.R.S. 13-3602(D)). The order is effective only after service, and it expires if it is not served within one year (A.R.S. 13-3602(N)).
Attend a hearing if the defendant requests one
Within 10 days of the defendant's request days after startingIf the defendant requests a hearing, the court holds it within ten days, or within five days if you were awarded exclusive use of the home (A.R.S. 13-3602(L)). Bring photos, messages, and any witnesses to the hearing.
Track the two-year expiration
Before the order expires (2 years from service) days after startingThe order expires two years after service on the defendant (A.R.S. 13-3602(N)). Calendar the expiration date and, if you still need protection, file a new petition before the order ends, since it does not renew automatically.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prepare the Petition for an Order of Protection | Complete the verified petition describing who harmed you, your relationship, and specific incidents with dates. Many Arizona petitioners use the AZPOINT online portal to prepare it. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as possible after the abuse |
| File with a magistrate, justice court, or superior court | File your verified petition with a magistrate, a justice of the peace, or a superior court judge (A.R.S. 13-3602(A)). Any Arizona court can issue the order regardless of where you or the defendant live. There is no fee to file (A.R.S. 13-3602(D)). | - | Same day you finish the petition |
| Get and carry the signed order | If the judge grants the order on reasonable cause (A.R.S. 13-3602(E)), get the signed copy and keep it with you. The order does not take effect until the defendant is served, so arrange service right away. | - | Same day the judge signs it |
| Arrange service on the defendant | Have law enforcement serve the defendant with a copy of the order and petition at no charge (A.R.S. 13-3602(D)). The order is effective only after service, and it expires if it is not served within one year (A.R.S. 13-3602(N)). | - | Well before one year from issuance |
| Attend a hearing if the defendant requests one | If the defendant requests a hearing, the court holds it within ten days, or within five days if you were awarded exclusive use of the home (A.R.S. 13-3602(L)). Bring photos, messages, and any witnesses to the hearing. | - | Within 10 days of the defendant's request |
| Track the two-year expiration | The order expires two years after service on the defendant (A.R.S. 13-3602(N)). Calendar the expiration date and, if you still need protection, file a new petition before the order ends, since it does not renew automatically. | - | Before the order expires (2 years from service) |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. There is no fee to file a petition for an Order of Protection in Arizona, and no fee to have it served (A.R.S. 13-3602(D)). A person who is under an order is also entitled to one hearing on written request without being charged a fee for the request.
You can seek an Order of Protection against a current or former spouse, someone you live or lived with, a person you have a child with, a family member by blood or marriage, or a current or former romantic or sexual partner. A parent or guardian can file on behalf of a child.
The defendant can request one hearing in writing at any time the order is in effect (A.R.S. 13-3602(L)). The court holds it within ten days of the request, or within five days if you were granted exclusive use of the home. Both sides can present evidence and testify at the hearing.
The defendant must be served with a copy of the order and petition, and law enforcement serves it at no charge (A.R.S. 13-3602(D)). The order takes effect only after service. If it is not served within one year after it is issued, the order expires (A.R.S. 13-3602(N)).
An Arizona Order of Protection is valid for two years from the date of service (A.R.S. 13-3602(N)). It does not renew automatically, so if you still need protection as it nears expiration, you can file a new petition. Track the expiration date and file before the order ends.
Violating an Order of Protection is a crime in Arizona, and an officer with probable cause that a violation occurred may arrest the person. Call the police and report every violation, and keep a copy of your served order with you. The court can also hold the violator in contempt.
If the person is not a family member, a partner, or someone you have lived with, an Order of Protection does not apply. Instead you can seek an Injunction Against Harassment under A.R.S. 12-1809, filed with a magistrate, justice of the peace, or superior court judge. It expires one year after service.
No. Arizona courts are set up for people to request an Order of Protection on their own, and the AZPOINT portal and court self-service centers walk you through the petition at no charge. A lawyer can help if the case is contested or the defendant requests a hearing. Legal help is optional.
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