How to Get an Order of Protection in Illinois
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Illinois · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Illinois, an order of protection is a civil court order that directs an abuser to stop the abuse and stay away from you, and it comes in three forms, emergency, interim, and plenary, under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 (750 ILCS 60). You seek one when a family or household member has abused, threatened, harassed, or stalked you. You start by filing a Petition for Order of Protection in the circuit court in the county where you live, where the abuser lives, or where the abuse happened. There is no filing fee, and the sheriff serves the papers at no charge (750 ILCS 60/202). A judge can grant an emergency order of protection the same day, without the other person present, based on your sworn petition showing abuse (750 ILCS 60/217). That emergency order lasts not less than 14 nor more than 21 days, until a court hearing (750 ILCS 60/220). An interim order can bridge up to 30 days once the abuser has been served. After a full hearing where both sides can appear, a judge can enter a plenary order of protection that lasts a fixed period of up to two years and can be extended (750 ILCS 60/220). 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 Illinois
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How do I get an order of protection in Illinois?
File a Petition for Order of Protection in the circuit court in your county. There is no filing fee (750 ILCS 60/202). A judge can grant an emergency order the same day based on your sworn petition, and a hearing is set for a longer plenary order within a few weeks.
How long does an emergency order of protection last in Illinois?
An emergency order of protection lasts not less than 14 nor more than 21 days, until a full court hearing (750 ILCS 60/220). A judge can issue it the same day you file, without the other person present, if your sworn petition shows abuse (750 ILCS 60/217).
How long does a plenary order of protection last in Illinois?
After a hearing where both sides can appear, a plenary order of protection lasts a fixed period of up to two years (750 ILCS 60/220). You can ask the court to extend it before it expires, and an interim order can bridge up to 30 days before the hearing.
Which court handles orders of protection in Illinois?
You file in the circuit court, in the county where you live, where the person you want protection from lives, or where the abuse occurred. The Illinois Courts provide free statewide standardized forms and self-help guidance for filing an order of protection without a lawyer.
Illinois order of protection law at a glance
In Illinois, an order of protection protects you from abuse by a family or household member, under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 (750 ILCS 60). It comes in three forms. You ask for one by filing a Petition for Order of Protection in the circuit court, and there is no filing fee (750 ILCS 60/202). A judge can grant an emergency order of protection the same day, without notice to the other person, if your sworn petition shows abuse (750 ILCS 60/217). That emergency order lasts not less than 14 nor more than 21 days, and an interim order can bridge up to 30 days. After a hearing, a plenary order of protection lasts up to two years and can be extended (750 ILCS 60/220).
Getting an Illinois order of protection after threats from a former partner
Suppose a former household member in Illinois has been showing up at your home and sending threatening messages. You complete a Petition for Order of Protection describing the threats with dates and file it in the circuit court at no cost (750 ILCS 60/202). The same afternoon, a judge signs an emergency order of protection because it shows abuse (750 ILCS 60/217), and it lasts not less than 14 nor more than 21 days until a hearing (750 ILCS 60/220). A sheriff's deputy serves the papers for free. At the hearing you bring screenshots and testify, and the judge enters a plenary order of protection for two years ordering no contact (750 ILCS 60/220). You keep a copy with you and calendar the expiration to extend before it ends. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
750 ILCS 60/217 (emergency order of protection)
Authorizes a court to issue an emergency order of protection ex parte, without prior notice to the respondent, when the harm the order is meant to prevent would likely occur if the respondent were given notice or if notice would cause additional abuse.
750 ILCS 60/220 (duration of orders)
Provides that emergency orders issued under Section 217 shall be effective for not less than 14 nor more than 21 days, that interim orders shall be effective for up to 30 days, and that a plenary order of protection shall be valid for a fixed period of time, not to exceed two years, and may be extended.
750 ILCS 60/202 (commencement of action; no filing fee)
Provides that no fee shall be charged by the clerk for filing, amending, vacating, certifying, or photocopying petitions or orders, and no fee shall be charged by the sheriff for service of a petition, rule, motion, or order in an action for an order of protection.
750 ILCS 60/214 (order of protection; remedies)
Sets out the remedies a court may grant in an order of protection, including prohibiting further abuse, ordering the respondent to stay away from the petitioner and to have no contact, and granting exclusive possession of a shared residence.
Regional Variances
Illinois order of protection rules at a glance
Order name
Order of Protection, issued under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 (750 ILCS 60), in three forms: emergency, interim, and plenary. A separate stalking no contact order or civil no contact order covers abuse by someone who is not a family or household member.
Where to file
The circuit court, in the county where you live, where the abuser lives, or where the abuse occurred. There is no filing fee and no sheriff service fee (750 ILCS 60/202).
Emergency and temporary orders
A judge can issue an emergency order of protection the same day you file, without the other person present, lasting not less than 14 nor more than 21 days (750 ILCS 60/217, 60/220). An interim order can bridge up to 30 days after the abuser is served (750 ILCS 60/220).
Final order duration
After a hearing, a plenary order of protection is valid for a fixed period of up to two years and may be extended one or more times before it expires (750 ILCS 60/220).
Main form
The Petition for Order of Protection, a statewide standardized form approved by the Illinois Supreme Court and accepted in every circuit court, available free through the Illinois Courts self-help site.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the Petition for Order of Protection
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out the Petition for Order of Protection, describing the abuse, your relationship as family or household members, and specific dates. Use the free Illinois Courts statewide standardized forms and a legal aid guided interview if you need help. 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 Petition for Order of Protection with the circuit court clerk in the county where you live, where the abuser lives, or where the abuse occurred. There is no filing fee (750 ILCS 60/202). Ask the clerk when the judge will decide on your emergency order.
Get and carry the emergency order of protection
Same day the judge signs it days after startingIf the judge grants an emergency order of protection (750 ILCS 60/217), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It lasts not less than 14 nor more than 21 days, until your hearing (750 ILCS 60/220). Note your hearing date.
Arrange service on the other person
Before the hearing days after startingHave the sheriff, at no charge, or another adult who is not you serve the other person with your petition and the emergency order, then confirm proof of service. Service is required for the judge to enter a plenary order at the hearing (750 ILCS 60/202).
Attend the court hearing with your evidence
On the hearing date set by the court days after startingGo to the hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify. The judge decides whether to enter a plenary order of protection (750 ILCS 60/214). If you miss the hearing, your emergency order can expire.
Track the expiration and extend if needed
Before the order expires (up to 2 years out) days after startingA plenary order of protection lasts up to two years (750 ILCS 60/220). Calendar the expiration date and file to extend before it ends. Emergency, interim, and plenary orders may each be extended one or more times if the requirements are met.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the Petition for Order of Protection | Fill out the Petition for Order of Protection, describing the abuse, your relationship as family or household members, and specific dates. Use the free Illinois Courts statewide standardized forms and a legal aid guided interview if you need help. 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 Petition for Order of Protection with the circuit court clerk in the county where you live, where the abuser lives, or where the abuse occurred. There is no filing fee (750 ILCS 60/202). Ask the clerk when the judge will decide on your emergency order. | - | Same day you finish the petition |
| Get and carry the emergency order of protection | If the judge grants an emergency order of protection (750 ILCS 60/217), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It lasts not less than 14 nor more than 21 days, until your hearing (750 ILCS 60/220). Note your hearing date. | - | Same day the judge signs it |
| Arrange service on the other person | Have the sheriff, at no charge, or another adult who is not you serve the other person with your petition and the emergency order, then confirm proof of service. Service is required for the judge to enter a plenary order at the hearing (750 ILCS 60/202). | - | Before the hearing |
| Attend the court hearing with your evidence | Go to the hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify. The judge decides whether to enter a plenary order of protection (750 ILCS 60/214). If you miss the hearing, your emergency order can expire. | - | On the hearing date set by the court |
| Track the expiration and extend if needed | A plenary order of protection lasts up to two years (750 ILCS 60/220). Calendar the expiration date and file to extend before it ends. Emergency, interim, and plenary orders may each be extended one or more times if the requirements are met. | - | Before the order expires (up to 2 years out) |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. There is no filing fee for an order of protection in Illinois. Under 750 ILCS 60/202, no fee is charged by the clerk for filing, amending, vacating, certifying, or photocopying petitions or orders, and no fee is charged by the sheriff for serving the papers.
An interim order of protection can be entered after the other person has been served with notice but before the full plenary hearing. It bridges the gap between an emergency order and the hearing. An interim order is effective for up to 30 days (750 ILCS 60/220).
You can file if the person who abused you is a family or household member, which includes a spouse or former spouse, someone you date or dated, a co-parent, a person you live or lived with, or a relative. A parent can file on behalf of a minor child.
You file the Petition for Order of Protection, a statewide standardized form approved by the Illinois Supreme Court and accepted in every circuit court. The Illinois Courts provide the current form and instructions free through their self-help site, and legal aid offers a guided interview to complete it.
At the plenary hearing, both you and the other person can attend, present evidence, and testify. The judge decides whether to enter a plenary order of protection and what terms to include, such as no contact and stay-away orders. If the other person was served and does not appear, the judge can still enter the order.
Yes. A plenary order of protection lasts a fixed period of up to two years, and you can ask the court to extend it before it expires (750 ILCS 60/220). Emergency, interim, and plenary orders may each be extended one or more times if the requirements for that order are met.
Violating an order of protection is a crime in Illinois. Call the police, who can arrest the person, and the court can also hold the person in contempt. Keep a copy of your order with you at all times and report every violation. Active orders are entered in a statewide law-enforcement database.
No. Illinois courts are set up for people to request an order of protection on their own, with free statewide standardized forms, self-help resources, and legal aid guided interviews. Many people file without a lawyer, especially for an emergency order. Legal help can be useful if the case is contested.
Other Illinois guides
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