How to Get an Order for Protection in Indiana
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Indiana · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Indiana, an order for protection is a civil court order that directs an abuser to stop the abuse and stay away from you, and it stays in force for two years by default, longer than many states allow. It is issued under the Indiana Civil Protection Order Act (Ind. Code 34-26-5). You can seek one if you are a victim of domestic or family violence, stalking, or a sex offense. You start by filing a Petition for an Order for Protection with a circuit or superior court in the county where you live or temporarily reside, where the person you want protection from lives, or where the violence occurred (Ind. Code 34-26-5-4). There is no filing fee and no fee to serve the papers (Ind. Code 34-26-5-16). If your petition shows domestic or family violence, a judge can immediately issue an order for protection ex parte, without notice to the other person and without a hearing (Ind. Code 34-26-5-9). That ex parte order takes effect right away and is effective for two years unless the court sets another date. Either party can ask for a hearing, which the court must hold within thirty days of the request (Ind. Code 34-26-5-10). 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 for protection in Indiana?
File a Petition for an Order for Protection with a circuit or superior court in your county. There is no filing fee (Ind. Code 34-26-5-16). If your petition shows domestic or family violence, a judge can issue an ex parte order the same day, without the other person present.
How long does it take to get an order for protection in Indiana?
If your petition shows domestic or family violence, a judge can issue an order for protection ex parte the same day you file, without notice to the other person and without a hearing (Ind. Code 34-26-5-9). The ex parte order takes effect immediately and is effective for two years.
How long does an order for protection last in Indiana?
An order for protection in Indiana is effective for two years after the date it is issued, unless the court orders another date (Ind. Code 34-26-5-9). This two-year term applies to both an ex parte order and an order issued after a hearing. You can ask the court to extend it.
Which court handles orders for protection in Indiana?
You file with a circuit or superior court in the county where you live or temporarily reside, where the person you want protection from lives, or where the violence occurred (Ind. Code 34-26-5-4). The Indiana courts self-service legal center provides the petition forms and guidance for filing without a lawyer.
Indiana order for protection law at a glance
In Indiana, an order for protection is a civil court order that stops an abuser from contacting or coming near you, issued under the Indiana Civil Protection Order Act (Ind. Code 34-26-5). You can seek one as a victim of domestic or family violence, stalking, or a sex offense. You file a Petition for an Order for Protection with a circuit or superior court, and there is no filing fee and no fee for service (Ind. Code 34-26-5-16). If your petition shows domestic or family violence, a judge can issue the order ex parte the same day, without notice to the other person (Ind. Code 34-26-5-9). The order is effective for two years unless the court sets another date, and either party can request a hearing, held within thirty days (Ind. Code 34-26-5-10).
Getting an Indiana order for protection after threats from an ex-partner
In Indiana, an order for protection lasts two years by default, so a single filing can protect you well beyond the crisis. Suppose your former partner has been showing up at your home and sending threatening messages. You complete a Petition for an Order for Protection, describe the threats with dates, and file it with a circuit court at no cost (Ind. Code 34-26-5-16). Because your petition shows domestic or family violence, the judge signs an ex parte order that same day, effective for two years (Ind. Code 34-26-5-9). The county sheriff serves your ex for free. Your ex requests a hearing, which the court holds within thirty days (Ind. Code 34-26-5-10); you bring screenshots and testify, and the judge keeps the order in place. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Ind. Code 34-26-5-9 (ex parte order and two-year duration)
Authorizes a court to issue an order for protection ex parte, without notice or a hearing, if a petition shows domestic or family violence, and provides that an order for protection issued ex parte or after a hearing is effective for two years after the date of issuance unless another date is ordered by the court.
Ind. Code 34-26-5-10 (hearing after an ex parte order)
Provides that, after a court issues an order for protection ex parte, upon a request by either party the court shall set a date for a hearing on the petition, and the hearing must be held not more than thirty days after the request for a hearing is filed unless continued by the court for good cause shown.
Ind. Code 34-26-5-16 (no filing or service fees)
Provides that fees for filing, service of process, witnesses, or subpoenas may not be charged for a proceeding seeking relief or enforcement of an order for protection under the Indiana Civil Protection Order Act.
Ind. Code 34-26-5-4 (who may file and where)
Governs the filing of a petition for an order for protection, providing that a petition may be filed in a court in the county where the petitioner currently or temporarily resides, where the respondent resides, or where the domestic or family violence or harassment occurred.
Regional Variances
Indiana order for protection rules at a glance
Order name
Order for Protection, issued under the Indiana Civil Protection Order Act (Ind. Code 34-26-5). It is available to victims of domestic or family violence, stalking, or a sex offense.
Where to file
A circuit or superior court in the county where you live or temporarily reside, where the person you want protection from lives, or where the violence occurred (Ind. Code 34-26-5-4). There is no filing fee (Ind. Code 34-26-5-16).
Emergency and temporary orders
If your petition shows domestic or family violence, a judge can issue an order for protection ex parte the same day, without notice or a hearing (Ind. Code 34-26-5-9). Either party can request a hearing, held within thirty days (Ind. Code 34-26-5-10).
Final order duration
An order for protection is effective for two years after the date of issuance unless the court orders another date (Ind. Code 34-26-5-9). You can ask the court to extend it, and a longer or indefinite term is possible in some cases.
Main form
Petition for an Order for Protection, the standardized form the Indiana courts provide. The forms are free through the Indiana courts self-service legal center and county clerks' offices.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the Petition for an Order for Protection
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out the Petition for an Order for Protection, describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates. Use the free Indiana courts self-service legal center forms and ask the clerk if you need help. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File your petition with a circuit or superior court
Same day you finish the forms days after startingFile the petition with the clerk of a circuit or superior court in the county where you live or temporarily reside, where the other person lives, or where the violence occurred. There is no filing fee (Ind. Code 34-26-5-16). Ask the clerk when the judge will review it.
Get and carry the ex parte order
Same day the judge signs it days after startingIf the judge issues an ex parte order for protection (Ind. Code 34-26-5-9), get the signed order and keep a copy with you at all times. It takes effect immediately and is effective for two years unless the court sets another date.
Confirm service on the other person
After filing, before any hearing days after startingThe county sheriff serves the other person with your papers and the order at no charge (Ind. Code 34-26-5-16). Service notifies the other person of the order and their right to request a hearing, and it is required to enforce the order against them.
Prepare for a hearing if one is requested
Within 30 days of a hearing request days after startingEither party can request a hearing, held within thirty days (Ind. Code 34-26-5-10). Gather photos, messages, and any witnesses, and organize your account by date. Both sides can testify, and the judge decides whether to keep or change the order.
Track the expiration and extend if needed
Before the order expires (2 years out) days after startingAn order for protection is effective for two years (Ind. Code 34-26-5-9). Calendar the expiration date and file to extend it before it ends. A longer or indefinite term is possible in some cases, such as when the respondent is a lifetime registered offender.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the Petition for an Order for Protection | Fill out the Petition for an Order for Protection, describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates. Use the free Indiana courts self-service legal center forms and ask the clerk if you need help. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as possible after the abuse |
| File your petition with a circuit or superior court | File the petition with the clerk of a circuit or superior court in the county where you live or temporarily reside, where the other person lives, or where the violence occurred. There is no filing fee (Ind. Code 34-26-5-16). Ask the clerk when the judge will review it. | - | Same day you finish the forms |
| Get and carry the ex parte order | If the judge issues an ex parte order for protection (Ind. Code 34-26-5-9), get the signed order and keep a copy with you at all times. It takes effect immediately and is effective for two years unless the court sets another date. | - | Same day the judge signs it |
| Confirm service on the other person | The county sheriff serves the other person with your papers and the order at no charge (Ind. Code 34-26-5-16). Service notifies the other person of the order and their right to request a hearing, and it is required to enforce the order against them. | - | After filing, before any hearing |
| Prepare for a hearing if one is requested | Either party can request a hearing, held within thirty days (Ind. Code 34-26-5-10). Gather photos, messages, and any witnesses, and organize your account by date. Both sides can testify, and the judge decides whether to keep or change the order. | - | Within 30 days of a hearing request |
| Track the expiration and extend if needed | An order for protection is effective for two years (Ind. Code 34-26-5-9). Calendar the expiration date and file to extend it before it ends. A longer or indefinite term is possible in some cases, such as when the respondent is a lifetime registered offender. | - | Before the order expires (2 years out) |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Indiana law prohibits fees for a proceeding seeking an order for protection. Ind. Code 34-26-5-16 states that fees for filing, service of process, witnesses, or subpoenas may not be charged. You also cannot be charged to have the sheriff serve the papers on the other person.
If your petition shows domestic or family violence, a judge can issue an order for protection ex parte, without notice to the other person and without a hearing (Ind. Code 34-26-5-9). It takes effect immediately and is effective for two years. For harassment alone, the court needs notice and a hearing first.
You can file if you are a victim of domestic or family violence, stalking, or a sex offense. Domestic or family violence covers abuse by a family or household member, a current or former spouse, someone you dated, or a co-parent. A parent or guardian can file for a child.
You file a Petition for an Order for Protection, the standardized form the Indiana courts provide for these cases. The Indiana courts self-service legal center and county clerks make the current forms available at no charge, along with instructions for completing them and filing without a lawyer.
Either party can request a hearing, held within thirty days of the request (Ind. Code 34-26-5-10). Both you and the other person can attend, present evidence, and testify. The judge decides whether to issue, keep, or change the order and what protections to include, whether or not the respondent appears.
Yes. An order for protection is effective for two years unless the court sets another date (Ind. Code 34-26-5-9). You can ask the court to extend it, and the court can order a longer or indefinite term in some cases, such as when the respondent is a lifetime registered offender.
Violating an order for protection is a crime in Indiana, and it can be charged as invasion of privacy. Call the police, who can arrest the person, and the court can also hold them in contempt. Keep a copy of your order with you and report every violation right away.
No. Indiana courts are set up for people to petition for an order for protection on their own, with free forms and a self-service legal center. Many people file without a lawyer, especially for an ex parte order. Legal help can be useful if the case is contested at a hearing.
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