How to Get a Family Violence Protective Order in Georgia
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Georgia · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Georgia, a family violence protective order, often called a temporary protective order or TPO, is a civil court order that directs an abuser to stop the abuse and stay away from you. It is issued under Georgia's Family Violence Act (O.C.G.A. 19-13-1 through 19-13-4). You can seek one when a spouse, former spouse, parent, child, household member, or other qualifying family member has committed an act of family violence against you. You start by filing a verified Petition for Temporary Protective Order (Form SC-26) with the Clerk of Superior Court, generally in the county where the respondent lives. There is no cost to file (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(d)). The same day you file, a judge can review your petition and issue an ex parte temporary protective order without the other person present, if it shows probable cause that family violence has occurred and may occur again (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(b)). That ex parte order stays in effect until a hearing, which must be held within 30 days (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(c)). At the hearing the judge decides whether to grant a family violence protective order, which can last up to one year and, on a later motion, may be extended to three years or made permanent (O.C.G.A. 19-13-4(c)). 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 family violence protective order in Georgia?
File a verified Petition for Temporary Protective Order (Form SC-26) with the Clerk of Superior Court, generally in the county where the respondent lives. There is no cost to file under Georgia's Family Violence Act (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(d)). A judge can review it the same day and set a hearing within 30 days.
How long does it take to get a protective order in Georgia?
A judge can issue an ex parte temporary protective order the same day you file, without the other person present, if your petition shows probable cause of family violence (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(b)). That order takes effect immediately and stays in force until your hearing, which must be held within 30 days.
How long does a family violence protective order last in Georgia?
A final family violence protective order can remain in effect for up to one year (O.C.G.A. 19-13-4(c)). On a later motion, with notice and a hearing, the court may extend it to as long as three years or make it permanent. The earlier ex parte order lasts until your hearing.
Which court handles protective orders in Georgia?
The superior court handles family violence protective orders in Georgia. You file the petition with the Clerk of Superior Court, generally in the county where the respondent lives. Statewide fillable forms are published by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority, and many counties offer self-help assistance for filing without a lawyer.
Georgia family violence protective order law at a glance
In Georgia, a family violence protective order, commonly called a temporary protective order or TPO, is a civil court order that tells an abuser to stop the abuse and stay away from you, issued under Georgia's Family Violence Act (O.C.G.A. 19-13-1 through 19-13-4). You file a verified Petition for Temporary Protective Order (Form SC-26) with the Clerk of Superior Court, generally in the county where the respondent lives, at no cost (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(d)). A judge can grant an ex parte order the same day, without the other person present, if your petition shows probable cause of family violence (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(b)). That order lasts until a hearing, which must be held within 30 days (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(c)). A final order can last up to one year and may later be extended to three years or made permanent (O.C.G.A. 19-13-4(c)).
Getting a Georgia protective order after threats from a former spouse
After a former spouse in Georgia threatens you and shows up at your home, you fill out the verified Petition for Temporary Protective Order (Form SC-26), describing each incident with dates, and file it with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the respondent lives, at no cost (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(d)). The same day, a judge reviews your petition and signs an ex parte temporary protective order because it shows probable cause of family violence (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(b)), setting a hearing within 30 days. A sheriff's deputy serves the respondent. At the hearing you show screenshots and testify, and the judge grants a family violence protective order lasting one year (O.C.G.A. 19-13-4(c)). Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
O.C.G.A. 19-13-3 (petition, ex parte temporary relief, hearing)
A person may seek relief by filing a verified petition with the superior court alleging one or more acts of family violence. The court may order temporary relief ex parte to protect the petitioner, and a hearing must be held not later than 30 days after filing. Assistance in filing is provided without cost to the petitioner.
O.C.G.A. 19-13-4 (protective orders and consent agreements; duration)
Sets out the protective orders and consent agreements a court may grant to prevent family violence. Any order granted remains in effect for up to one year, but on the petitioner's motion, after notice and a hearing, the court may convert it to an order effective for not more than three years or to a permanent order.
O.C.G.A. 19-13-1 (definition of family violence)
Defines family violence and lists the family or household relationships, such as current or former spouses, parents and children, and persons living or formerly living in the same household, that let a petitioner seek a protective order under Georgia's Family Violence Act.
Georgia Family Violence Protective Orders (Georgia.gov)
The state's official guide confirms that petitions are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the respondent resides, that there is no cost to file under Georgia's Family Violence Act, and that a judge may issue a same-day ex parte order lasting until a full hearing scheduled within 30 days.
Regional Variances
Georgia family violence protective order rules at a glance
Order name
Family Violence Protective Order, commonly called a Temporary Protective Order or TPO, issued under Georgia's Family Violence Act (O.C.G.A. 19-13-1 through 19-13-4). A separate stalking protective order (O.C.G.A. 16-5-94) covers people outside a family or household relationship.
Where to file
The superior court. You file the verified petition with the Clerk of Superior Court, generally in the county where the respondent resides. There is no cost to file (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(d)).
Emergency and temporary orders
A judge can issue an ex parte temporary protective order the same day you file, without the respondent present, if the petition shows probable cause of family violence (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(b)). It lasts until a hearing held within 30 days (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(c)).
Final order duration
After the hearing, a family violence protective order can last up to one year and, on a later motion with notice and a hearing, may be converted to an order of up to three years or a permanent order (O.C.G.A. 19-13-4(c)).
Main form
Petition for Temporary Protective Order (Form SC-26), with the Family Violence Ex Parte Protective Order (Form SC-15) and the Family Violence Twelve Month Protective Order (Form SC-16). Statewide forms come from the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the Petition for Temporary Protective Order (Form SC-26)
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out the verified Petition for Temporary Protective Order (Form SC-26), describing the family violence, your relationship to the respondent, and specific dates. Use the statewide fillable forms or county self-help resources. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File with the Clerk of Superior Court
Same day you finish the forms days after startingFile the petition with the Clerk of Superior Court, generally in the county where the respondent lives. There is no cost to file (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(d)). Ask the clerk when the judge will review your request for an ex parte order.
Get and carry the ex parte order
Same day the judge signs it days after startingIf the judge grants an ex parte temporary protective order (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(b)), get the signed Family Violence Ex Parte Protective Order (Form SC-15) and keep a copy with you. It stays in effect until your hearing. Note your hearing date.
Arrange service on the respondent
Before the hearing days after startingThe sheriff serves the respondent with your petition, the ex parte order, and the hearing notice, at no charge in a family violence case. Service is required before the judge can grant a final protective order at the hearing.
Attend the hearing within 30 days
On your hearing date, within 30 days of filing days after startingGo to the hearing and bring photos, messages, and witnesses. You must prove the family violence by a preponderance of the evidence (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(c)). If you miss the hearing, the petition can be dismissed and your ex parte order can expire.
Track expiration and seek an extension if needed
Before the one-year order expires days after startingA final order can last up to one year (O.C.G.A. 19-13-4(c)). Calendar the expiration and, if you need continued protection, file a motion to convert it to an order of up to three years or a permanent order before it ends.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the Petition for Temporary Protective Order (Form SC-26) | Fill out the verified Petition for Temporary Protective Order (Form SC-26), describing the family violence, your relationship to the respondent, and specific dates. Use the statewide fillable forms or county self-help resources. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as possible after the abuse |
| File with the Clerk of Superior Court | File the petition with the Clerk of Superior Court, generally in the county where the respondent lives. There is no cost to file (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(d)). Ask the clerk when the judge will review your request for an ex parte order. | - | Same day you finish the forms |
| Get and carry the ex parte order | If the judge grants an ex parte temporary protective order (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(b)), get the signed Family Violence Ex Parte Protective Order (Form SC-15) and keep a copy with you. It stays in effect until your hearing. Note your hearing date. | - | Same day the judge signs it |
| Arrange service on the respondent | The sheriff serves the respondent with your petition, the ex parte order, and the hearing notice, at no charge in a family violence case. Service is required before the judge can grant a final protective order at the hearing. | - | Before the hearing |
| Attend the hearing within 30 days | Go to the hearing and bring photos, messages, and witnesses. You must prove the family violence by a preponderance of the evidence (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(c)). If you miss the hearing, the petition can be dismissed and your ex parte order can expire. | - | On your hearing date, within 30 days of filing |
| Track expiration and seek an extension if needed | A final order can last up to one year (O.C.G.A. 19-13-4(c)). Calendar the expiration and, if you need continued protection, file a motion to convert it to an order of up to three years or a permanent order before it ends. | - | Before the one-year order expires |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. There is no cost to file a family violence protective order petition in Georgia. O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(d) provides that assistance in filing shall be performed without cost to the petitioner. The sheriff also serves the papers on the respondent at no charge in a family violence case.
You can file if the person who harmed you is a current or former spouse, a parent of your child, a parent, a child, a stepparent or stepchild, a foster parent or foster child, or another person living or formerly living in the same household. An adult can also file on behalf of a minor.
When you file a verified petition showing probable cause that family violence occurred and may occur again, a judge can grant an ex parte order the same day, without the respondent present (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(b)). It orders immediate protection and remains in effect until your hearing, which is held within 30 days.
You start with the Petition for Temporary Protective Order (Form SC-26). If the judge grants emergency relief, you receive a Family Violence Ex Parte Protective Order (Form SC-15), and a Family Violence Twelve Month Protective Order (Form SC-16) can be issued after the hearing. Forms are published by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority.
At the hearing, held within 30 days of filing, both you and the respondent can appear, present evidence, and testify. You must prove the family violence by a preponderance of the evidence (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(c)). If the respondent was served and does not appear, the judge can still grant the order.
Yes. A family violence protective order can first last up to one year. On your motion, with notice to the respondent and after a hearing, the court may convert it to an order lasting up to three years or make it permanent (O.C.G.A. 19-13-4(c)). File before the current order expires.
Violating a family violence protective order is a crime in Georgia. Call the police, who can arrest the person, and the court can also hold the respondent in contempt. Keep a copy of your order with you at all times and report every violation so officers can enforce it.
No. Georgia superior courts allow people to petition for a family violence protective order on their own, using statewide fillable forms and county self-help resources. Many petitioners file without a lawyer, especially for the ex parte stage. Legal help can be useful if the case is contested or the respondent has an attorney.
Other Georgia guides
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