How to Get a Restraining Order in Connecticut
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Connecticut · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Connecticut, a restraining order (called an Application for Relief from Abuse) is a civil court order that directs a family or household member to stop abusing, threatening, stalking, or harassing you and to stay away from you, issued under Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15. You ask for one when a spouse, former partner, co-parent, relative, or someone you live with has caused you physical harm, made you fear imminent harm, stalked you, or engaged in a pattern of threatening. You start by filing an Application for Relief from Abuse (Form JD-FM-137) and a sworn affidavit (Form JD-FM-138) with the Superior Court in the judicial district where you live. There is no court fee to file (Connecticut Judicial Branch). If your affidavit alleges an immediate and present physical danger, a judge can issue an ex parte order the same day, without the other person present (Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15(b)). When an order issues, the court sets a hearing to be held not later than fourteen days from the date of the order (Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15(b)). At the hearing, the judge decides whether to issue a full restraining order, which lasts up to one year and can be extended by motion (Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15). A separate criminal protective order can be issued by a criminal court in a related criminal case. 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.
Find out where you stand in Connecticut
Where are you in getting a restraining order?
DocDraft provides document preparation, not legal advice.
How do I get a restraining order in Connecticut?
File an Application for Relief from Abuse (Form JD-FM-137) and a sworn affidavit (Form JD-FM-138) with the Superior Court in your judicial district. There is no court fee to file. A judge can issue a same-day ex parte order, and a hearing is set within 14 days for a full order.
How long does it take to get a restraining order in Connecticut?
If your affidavit alleges an immediate and present physical danger, a judge can issue an ex parte order the same day you file, without the other person present (Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15(b)). When an ex parte order issues, the court holds a hearing not later than fourteen days from the date of the order.
How long does a restraining order last in Connecticut?
A full restraining order issued after the hearing lasts up to one year in Connecticut. Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15 states that no order of the court shall exceed one year, except that an order may be extended by the court upon the applicant's motion for additional time the court deems necessary.
Which court handles restraining orders in Connecticut?
You file in the Connecticut Superior Court, in the judicial district where you or the person you want protection from lives. The court has a family division that handles Applications for Relief from Abuse. The Connecticut Judicial Branch publishes free forms and a self-help guide for applying without a lawyer.
Connecticut restraining order law at a glance
In Connecticut, a restraining order (an Application for Relief from Abuse) is a civil Superior Court order that directs a family or household member to stop abuse, threats, stalking, or a pattern of threatening and to stay away from you, under Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15. You apply with Form JD-FM-137 and a sworn affidavit, and there is no court fee to file. If your affidavit alleges an immediate and present physical danger, a judge can issue an ex parte order the same day (Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15(b)), and the court holds a hearing not later than fourteen days from the date of the order. After the hearing, a full order can last up to one year and can be extended by the court on the applicant's motion (Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15).
Getting a Connecticut restraining order after threats from an ex-partner
In Connecticut, a restraining order begins with an Application for Relief from Abuse filed for free in Superior Court. Suppose a former partner you once lived with has been showing up at your home and sending threatening messages. You complete Form JD-FM-137 and the affidavit (Form JD-FM-138), describing the threats with dates, and file them with the Superior Court at no cost. Because your affidavit alleges immediate and present physical danger, a judge signs an ex parte order that day (Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15(b)) and sets a hearing within 14 days. A state marshal serves your ex. At the hearing you show the messages and testify, and the judge issues a one-year restraining order for no contact and to stay away. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15(b) (ex parte order and hearing within 14 days)
Provides that if an applicant alleges an immediate and present physical danger to the applicant, the court may issue an ex parte order, and that upon receipt of the application the court shall order that a hearing be held not later than fourteen days from the date of the order.
Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15 (duration and extension of the order)
Provides that no order of the court shall exceed one year, except that an order may be extended by the court upon motion of the applicant for such additional time as the court deems necessary.
Connecticut Judicial Branch, Restraining Orders: How to Apply for Relief from Abuse (JDP-FM-142)
The Judicial Branch self-help guide states you do not have to pay court fees to file the Application or for any motion to change or extend the order, and identifies the Application for Relief from Abuse (JD-FM-137) and the affidavit (JD-FM-138) as the forms you use.
Regional Variances
Connecticut restraining order rules at a glance
Order name
Restraining order (Relief from Abuse Order), a civil order under Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15 against a family or household member. A separate criminal protective order can be issued by a criminal court in a related criminal case.
Where to file
The Connecticut Superior Court, in the judicial district where you or the person you want protection from lives. There is no court fee to file the Application (Connecticut Judicial Branch).
Emergency and temporary orders
If your affidavit alleges an immediate and present physical danger, a judge can issue an ex parte order the same day (Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15(b)). The court holds a hearing not later than fourteen days from the date of the order.
Final order duration
After the hearing, a full restraining order can last up to one year and can be extended by the court on the applicant's motion for additional time (Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15).
Main form
Form JD-FM-137, Application for Relief from Abuse, filed with Form JD-FM-138 (affidavit) and Form JD-FM-164 if you seek temporary custody. Forms are free from the Connecticut Judicial Branch.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the Application for Relief from Abuse (JD-FM-137)
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out Form JD-FM-137 and the sworn affidavit (Form JD-FM-138), describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates, and add Form JD-FM-164 if you seek temporary custody. Use the free Connecticut Judicial Branch forms. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File your application with the Superior Court
Same day you finish the forms days after startingFile the application and affidavit with the Superior Court clerk in the judicial district where you or the other person lives. There is no court fee to file. Ask the clerk when the judge will decide on an ex parte order.
Get and carry the ex parte order
Same day the judge signs it days after startingIf the judge signs an ex parte order (Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15(b)), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. Note your hearing date, which the court sets not later than fourteen days from the date of the order.
Arrange service on the other person
Before the hearing days after startingA proper officer, such as a state marshal, must serve the other person with your application, affidavit, any ex parte order, and the hearing notice. The Judicial Branch covers the cost of service. Service is required for the judge to issue a full order.
Attend the hearing with your evidence
Within 14 days, on the hearing date the court set days after startingGo to the hearing within 14 days and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify. The judge decides whether to issue a full restraining order. If you miss the hearing, your ex parte order can expire.
Track the expiration and extend if needed
Before the order expires (up to 1 year out) days after startingA full order lasts up to one year (Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15). Calendar the expiration date and file a motion to extend before it ends, for such additional time as the court deems necessary.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the Application for Relief from Abuse (JD-FM-137) | Fill out Form JD-FM-137 and the sworn affidavit (Form JD-FM-138), describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates, and add Form JD-FM-164 if you seek temporary custody. Use the free Connecticut Judicial Branch forms. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as possible after the abuse |
| File your application with the Superior Court | File the application and affidavit with the Superior Court clerk in the judicial district where you or the other person lives. There is no court fee to file. Ask the clerk when the judge will decide on an ex parte order. | - | Same day you finish the forms |
| Get and carry the ex parte order | If the judge signs an ex parte order (Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15(b)), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. Note your hearing date, which the court sets not later than fourteen days from the date of the order. | - | Same day the judge signs it |
| Arrange service on the other person | A proper officer, such as a state marshal, must serve the other person with your application, affidavit, any ex parte order, and the hearing notice. The Judicial Branch covers the cost of service. Service is required for the judge to issue a full order. | - | Before the hearing |
| Attend the hearing with your evidence | Go to the hearing within 14 days and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify. The judge decides whether to issue a full restraining order. If you miss the hearing, your ex parte order can expire. | - | Within 14 days, on the hearing date the court set |
| Track the expiration and extend if needed | A full order lasts up to one year (Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15). Calendar the expiration date and file a motion to extend before it ends, for such additional time as the court deems necessary. | - | Before the order expires (up to 1 year out) |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Connecticut Judicial Branch states you do not have to pay court fees to file the Application or for any motion to change or extend the order. A proper officer serves the application and any ex parte order, and the Judicial Branch covers the cost of that service.
A civil restraining order is one you apply for yourself under Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15 by filing an Application for Relief from Abuse. A criminal protective order is issued by a criminal court against a defendant in a related criminal case, and a prosecutor, not you, drives that case.
You can apply for relief from abuse if the person who harmed you is a family or household member, such as a spouse or former spouse, a current or former dating or living partner, a co-parent, or a relative. A parent or guardian can apply on behalf of a minor child.
You file the Application for Relief from Abuse (Form JD-FM-137) with a sworn Affidavit (Form JD-FM-138). If you also seek temporary custody, you add an Affidavit Concerning Children (Form JD-FM-164). The Connecticut Judicial Branch provides the forms and a self-help guide, Restraining Orders: How to Apply for Relief from Abuse, at no charge.
The court holds a hearing not later than fourteen days from the date of an ex parte order (Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15(b)). Both you and the other person can attend, present evidence, and testify. The judge decides whether to issue a full order and what protections to include.
Yes. A full restraining order lasts up to one year, and Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15 provides that an order may be extended by the court upon the applicant's motion for such additional time as the court deems necessary. File your motion to extend before the current order expires.
Violating a restraining order is a crime in Connecticut. Call the police, who can arrest the person, and the court can hold an expedited hearing on the violation. Keep a copy of your order with you, report every violation, and note that active orders are entered in a law-enforcement registry.
No. Connecticut courts are set up for people to apply for relief from abuse on their own, with free forms and a Judicial Branch self-help guide. Many people file without a lawyer, especially for the ex parte order. Legal help can be useful if the case is contested or the other side has an attorney.
Other Connecticut guides
Asset Protection Planning in Connecticut (2026)
Connecticut Notice to Quit: 2026 Landlord Rules & 3-Day Statute
Dealing With Debt Collectors in Connecticut (2026)
Expunging a Criminal Record in Connecticut (2026)
Filing a Workplace Harassment Complaint in Connecticut
Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Connecticut (2026)
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