How to Get a Protection from Abuse Order in Kansas
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Kansas · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Kansas, a Protection from Abuse order (PFA) is a civil order from a district court that directs an intimate partner or household member to stop abusing you and to stay away from you, issued under the Kansas Protection from Abuse Act (K.S.A. 60-3101 and following). You seek one when a spouse, former spouse, dating or household partner, or co-parent has caused or threatened bodily harm. You start by filing a verified petition with any judge of the district court, or with the court clerk, and the clerk supplies the forms at no docket fee (K.S.A. 60-3104). A judge can grant a temporary order the same day, without the other person present, on a showing of good cause such as immediate and present danger; that order stays in effect until a hearing held within 21 days of filing (K.S.A. 60-3106). If the court finds abuse at the hearing, it issues a final PFA for a fixed period of one to two years, which the court can later extend by another one to three years, and up to the lifetime of the defendant if the person violates the order or is convicted of a person felony or stalking against you (K.S.A. 60-3107). 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 Protection from Abuse order in Kansas?
File a verified Petition for Protection from Abuse with any judge of the district court, or the court clerk, in Kansas. There is no docket fee (K.S.A. 60-3104). A judge can grant a temporary order the same day on a showing of good cause, and a hearing is set within 21 days.
How long does it take to get a Protection from Abuse order in Kansas?
A judge can issue a temporary order the same day you file, without the other person present, if you show good cause such as immediate and present danger of abuse (K.S.A. 60-3106). If the court is closed, a judge can issue an emergency order that lasts until the court reopens (K.S.A. 60-3105).
How long does a Protection from Abuse order last in Kansas?
A temporary order stays in effect until your hearing, held within 21 days of filing (K.S.A. 60-3106). After the hearing, a final Protection from Abuse order lasts a fixed period of one to two years. The court can later extend it by one to three more years (K.S.A. 60-3107).
Which court handles Protection from Abuse orders in Kansas?
District courts handle Protection from Abuse cases in Kansas (K.S.A. 60-3103). You file a verified petition with any judge of the district court, or with the court clerk, usually in the county where you or the person you want protection from lives. The clerk supplies the forms.
Kansas Protection from Abuse law at a glance
In Kansas, a Protection from Abuse order (PFA) protects you from abuse by an intimate partner or household member, such as a spouse, former spouse, dating partner, or co-parent, under the Kansas Protection from Abuse Act (K.S.A. 60-3101 and following). You ask for one by filing a verified petition with any judge of the district court or the court clerk, and there is no docket fee (K.S.A. 60-3104). A judge can grant a temporary order the same day, without notice to the other person, on a showing of good cause such as immediate and present danger, and it stays in effect until a hearing held within 21 days (K.S.A. 60-3106). A final PFA runs one to two years and can be extended by one to three more years, up to the lifetime of the defendant for repeat cases (K.S.A. 60-3107).
Getting a Kansas Protection from Abuse order after threats from an ex-partner
In Kansas, a final Protection from Abuse order can run one to two years and, for repeat cases, up to the lifetime of the defendant, so it is worth documenting your case fully. Suppose a former household partner has been threatening you. You complete the verified Petition for Protection from Abuse, describing the threats with dates, and file it with the district court at no docket fee (K.S.A. 60-3104). The same day, a judge signs a temporary order because you show immediate and present danger (K.S.A. 60-3106), and the clerk sets a hearing within 21 days. A deputy personally serves your ex. At the hearing you show screenshots and testify, proving abuse by a preponderance of the evidence. The judge issues a two-year Protection from Abuse order (K.S.A. 60-3107). Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
K.S.A. 60-3106 (temporary ex parte order; hearing within 21 days)
Requires a hearing within 21 days of filing a petition and authorizes the court, prior to the hearing and upon good cause shown such as immediate and present danger, to enter temporary orders that may be granted ex parte to protect the plaintiff or minor children from abuse.
K.S.A. 60-3104 (file with the district court; no docket fee)
Allows an intimate partner or household member to seek relief by filing a verified petition with any judge of the district court or the clerk, requires personal service rather than certified mail, and provides that no docket fee shall be required for proceedings under the protection from abuse act.
K.S.A. 60-3107 (duration and extension of the final order)
Provides that a final protective order shall be for a fixed period of not less than one year and not more than two years, may be extended on the plaintiff's motion for an additional period of not less than one and not more than three years, and may be extended up to the lifetime of the defendant if the defendant violated a valid protection order or was convicted of a person felony or stalking against the plaintiff or a household member.
K.S.A. 60-3105 (emergency order when the court is not in session)
Allows a verified petition with a proposed order to be presented to any judge of the district court for an emergency order when immediate and present danger of abuse constitutes good cause, permits the order to be granted ex parte, and provides that it expires at 5:00 p.m. on the first day the court resumes business.
Regional Variances
Kansas Protection from Abuse rules at a glance
Order name
Protection from Abuse order (PFA), issued under the Kansas Protection from Abuse Act (K.S.A. 60-3101 and following). A separate Protection from Stalking, Sexual Assault or Human Trafficking order covers abuse by people who are not intimate partners or household members (K.S.A. 60-31a01 and following).
Where to file
Any judge of the district court, or the court clerk, usually in the county where you live or where the person you want protection from lives. There is no docket fee (K.S.A. 60-3104).
Emergency and temporary orders
When court is closed, a judge can issue an emergency order that expires at 5:00 p.m. on the first day court resumes business (K.S.A. 60-3105). A judge can grant a temporary ex parte order that stays in effect until a hearing held within 21 days of filing (K.S.A. 60-3106).
Final order duration
After a hearing, a final PFA runs a fixed period of one to two years, can be extended by one to three more years, and up to the lifetime of the defendant for certain repeat cases (K.S.A. 60-3107).
Main form
The verified Petition for Protection from Abuse, with temporary, emergency, and final order forms prescribed by the Kansas Judicial Council. The district court clerk supplies them at no charge (K.S.A. 60-3104).
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the Petition for Protection from Abuse
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out the verified Petition for Protection from Abuse, describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates. The district court clerk supplies the petition and order forms, prescribed by the Kansas Judicial Council, at no charge. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File your petition with the district court
Same day you finish the petition days after startingFile the verified petition with any judge of the district court, or the court clerk, in the county where you live or where the other person lives. There is no docket fee for a Protection from Abuse case (K.S.A. 60-3104). Ask the clerk when a judge will review your request.
Get and carry the temporary order
Same day the judge signs it days after startingIf the judge grants a temporary order (K.S.A. 60-3106), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It stays in effect until your hearing. Note your hearing date, which is set within 21 days of filing.
Arrange personal service on the other person
Before the hearing days after startingHave the defendant personally served with your petition, the temporary order, and the notice of hearing before the hearing. Service must be personal, not by certified mail (K.S.A. 60-3104). Law enforcement can serve the papers, then file the return of service.
Attend the hearing with your evidence
Within 21 days of filing days after startingGo to the hearing within 21 days of filing and bring photos, messages, and witnesses. You must prove the abuse by a preponderance of the evidence (K.S.A. 60-3106). The defendant can cross-examine and present a defense before the judge decides on a final order.
Track the expiration and move to extend
Before the order expires (1 to 2 years out) days after startingA final PFA runs one to two years (K.S.A. 60-3107). Calendar the expiration date and file a motion to extend before it ends, for another one to three years, or up to the lifetime of the defendant in qualifying repeat cases.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the Petition for Protection from Abuse | Fill out the verified Petition for Protection from Abuse, describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates. The district court clerk supplies the petition and order forms, prescribed by the Kansas Judicial Council, at no charge. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as possible after the abuse |
| File your petition with the district court | File the verified petition with any judge of the district court, or the court clerk, in the county where you live or where the other person lives. There is no docket fee for a Protection from Abuse case (K.S.A. 60-3104). Ask the clerk when a judge will review your request. | - | Same day you finish the petition |
| Get and carry the temporary order | If the judge grants a temporary order (K.S.A. 60-3106), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It stays in effect until your hearing. Note your hearing date, which is set within 21 days of filing. | - | Same day the judge signs it |
| Arrange personal service on the other person | Have the defendant personally served with your petition, the temporary order, and the notice of hearing before the hearing. Service must be personal, not by certified mail (K.S.A. 60-3104). Law enforcement can serve the papers, then file the return of service. | - | Before the hearing |
| Attend the hearing with your evidence | Go to the hearing within 21 days of filing and bring photos, messages, and witnesses. You must prove the abuse by a preponderance of the evidence (K.S.A. 60-3106). The defendant can cross-examine and present a defense before the judge decides on a final order. | - | Within 21 days of filing |
| Track the expiration and move to extend | A final PFA runs one to two years (K.S.A. 60-3107). Calendar the expiration date and file a motion to extend before it ends, for another one to three years, or up to the lifetime of the defendant in qualifying repeat cases. | - | Before the order expires (1 to 2 years out) |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Kansas charges no docket fee to file for a Protection from Abuse order. K.S.A. 60-3104 states that no docket fee shall be required for proceedings under the protection from abuse act. The court clerk also supplies the petition and order forms, prescribed by the Kansas Judicial Council, at no charge.
When the district court is closed, you can present a verified petition to any district judge for an emergency order (K.S.A. 60-3105). A judge can grant it ex parte on a showing of immediate and present danger of abuse. The emergency order expires at 5:00 p.m. on the first day the court resumes business.
You can file if the person who abused you is an intimate partner or household member, such as a current or former spouse, a dating or cohabiting partner, or a co-parent (K.S.A. 60-3104). A parent, an adult living with a minor child, or a child's legal guardian can file for the child.
You start with the verified Petition for Protection from Abuse. The Kansas Judicial Council prescribes the petition and the temporary, emergency, and final order forms, and the district court clerk supplies them at no charge (K.S.A. 60-3104). The forms are also available on the Kansas Judicial Council website.
At the hearing, held within 21 days of filing, you must prove the abuse by a preponderance of the evidence (K.S.A. 60-3106). The defendant can cross-examine your witnesses and present a defense. If the judge finds abuse, the court issues a final Protection from Abuse order (K.S.A. 60-3107).
Yes. A final Protection from Abuse order runs one to two years, and on your motion the court can extend it by another one to three years (K.S.A. 60-3107). The court can extend it up to the lifetime of the defendant if the person violated a protection order or was convicted of a person felony or stalking against you.
Violating a Protection from Abuse order is a crime in Kansas. Call the police, who can arrest the person, and the court can also hold them in contempt. A violation can also let the court extend your order, up to the lifetime of the defendant (K.S.A. 60-3107). Keep a copy of your order with you.
No. Kansas district courts let you request a Protection from Abuse order on your own, and the clerk supplies the forms at no charge (K.S.A. 60-3104). Many people file without a lawyer, especially for a temporary order. Legal help can be useful if the case is contested or the other side has an attorney.
Other Kansas guides
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