How to Get a Protective Order in Maryland
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Maryland · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Maryland, a domestic violence protective order is a civil court order that directs an abuser to stop the abuse and stay away from you. Maryland is distinctive in using a three-step ladder, an interim order from a District Court commissioner when courts are closed, then a temporary order, then a final order, all under the Family Law Article (Md. Code Family Law 4-501 and following). You can seek one if the person who abused you is a current or former spouse, someone you live with, a relative, a co-parent, or someone you had a sexual relationship with in the past year (Md. Code Family Law 4-501). You file a Petition for Protection from Domestic Violence (Form CC-DC-DV-001) with the District Court or Circuit Court, and there is no filing fee. When courts are closed, a District Court commissioner can issue an interim protective order (Md. Code Family Law 4-504.1). At the first hearing a judge can issue a temporary protective order, effective for not more than 7 days after service, until a final hearing (Md. Code Family Law 4-505). At the final hearing the judge can issue a final protective order that lasts up to 1 year, and up to 2 years or permanently in certain cases (Md. Code Family Law 4-506). 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 Maryland
Where are you in getting a restraining order?
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How do I get a protective order in Maryland?
File a Petition for Protection from Domestic Violence (Form CC-DC-DV-001) with the District Court or Circuit Court, or with a District Court commissioner when courts are closed. There is no filing fee. A judge or commissioner can issue a short order right away, and a final hearing is set soon after.
How long does it take to get a protective order in Maryland?
You can get protection the same day. When courts are open, a judge can issue a temporary protective order after an initial hearing (Md. Code Family Law 4-505). When courts are closed, a District Court commissioner can issue an interim protective order right away and set a temporary hearing (Md. Code Family Law 4-504.1).
How long does a protective order last in Maryland?
A temporary protective order is effective for not more than 7 days after service, until a final hearing (Md. Code Family Law 4-505). A final protective order can last up to 1 year, up to 2 years in certain repeat cases, or permanently if the abuser is convicted and imprisoned for at least 5 years (Md. Code Family Law 4-506).
Which court handles protective orders in Maryland?
You can file in the District Court or Circuit Court in the county where you live or where the abuse happened. When courts are closed, a District Court commissioner can issue an interim order. The Maryland Judiciary provides forms and self-help guidance at mdcourts.gov for filing without a lawyer.
Maryland protective order law at a glance
In Maryland, a domestic violence protective order is a civil court order that tells an abuser to stop the abuse and stay away from you. Maryland uses a three-step structure under the Family Law Article (Md. Code Family Law 4-501 and following): an interim order, a temporary order, and a final order. You file a Petition for Protection from Domestic Violence (Form CC-DC-DV-001) with the District Court or Circuit Court, and there is no filing fee. When courts are closed, a commissioner can issue an interim protective order (Md. Code Family Law 4-504.1). A judge can then issue a temporary protective order, effective for not more than 7 days after service (Md. Code Family Law 4-505). After a final hearing, a final protective order can last up to 1 year, and up to 2 years or permanently in certain cases (Md. Code Family Law 4-506).
Getting a Maryland protective order after a late-night incident
Suppose your former partner in Maryland shows up and threatens you late at night, after the courts have closed. You go to a District Court commissioner and file a Petition for Protection from Domestic Violence (Form CC-DC-DV-001) at no cost. The commissioner finds reasonable grounds and signs an interim protective order right away, setting a temporary hearing for the next day the court is open (Md. Code Family Law 4-504.1). At that hearing a judge signs a temporary protective order, effective for not more than 7 days after service, until a final hearing (Md. Code Family Law 4-505). Law enforcement serves your ex for free. At the final hearing you bring screenshots and testify, and the judge issues a one-year final protective order ordering no contact and to stay away (Md. Code Family Law 4-506). Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Md. Code Family Law 4-504.1 (interim protective order)
Authorizes a District Court commissioner, when a judge is not available because the court is closed, to issue an interim protective order if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the respondent has abused a person eligible for relief, and to set a temporary protective order hearing.
Md. Code Family Law 4-505 (temporary protective order)
Provides that a temporary protective order shall be effective for not more than 7 days after service of the order, and that the judge may extend it, but not to exceed 6 months, to effectuate service where necessary to provide protection or for other good cause.
Md. Code Family Law 4-506 (final protective order and duration)
Provides that relief in a final protective order is effective for the period stated, not to exceed 1 year, and up to 2 years for a qualifying repeat order against the same respondent, and allows a permanent order where the respondent is convicted and imprisoned for at least 5 years.
Md. Code Family Law 4-501 (person eligible for relief)
Defines the people who can seek a protective order, including a current or former spouse, a cohabitant, a person related by blood, marriage, or adoption, a co-parent, a vulnerable adult, and a person who has had a sexual relationship with the respondent within 1 year before filing.
Regional Variances
Maryland protective order rules at a glance
Order name
Domestic violence protective order, issued under the Family Law Article (Md. Code Family Law 4-501 and following) in three tiers: interim, temporary, and final. A separate peace order (Courts and Judicial Proceedings 3-1501) covers people you are not related to.
Where to file
The District Court or Circuit Court in the county where you live or where the abuse happened. When courts are closed, a District Court commissioner can issue an interim order (Md. Code Family Law 4-504.1). There is no filing fee for a protective order.
Emergency and temporary orders
A commissioner can issue an interim protective order right away when courts are closed and set a temporary hearing (Md. Code Family Law 4-504.1). A judge can issue a temporary protective order, effective for not more than 7 days after service, until the final hearing (Md. Code Family Law 4-505).
Final order duration
After a final hearing, a final protective order can last up to 1 year, up to 2 years for a qualifying repeat order, or permanently if the respondent is convicted and imprisoned for at least 5 years (Md. Code Family Law 4-506).
Main form
Form CC-DC-DV-001, Petition for Protection from Domestic Violence, filed with the District Court or Circuit Court or a commissioner. Forms are free through mdcourts.gov and court clerks.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the Petition for Protection from Domestic Violence (CC-DC-DV-001)
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out Form CC-DC-DV-001 describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates, and confirm you are a person eligible for relief (Md. Code Family Law 4-501). Use the free forms at mdcourts.gov. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File with the court or a District Court commissioner
Same day you finish the forms days after startingFile your petition with the District Court or Circuit Court clerk in the county where you live or where the abuse happened. There is no filing fee. If courts are closed, go to a District Court commissioner, who can issue an interim protective order right away (Md. Code Family Law 4-504.1).
Get and carry the interim or temporary order
Same day it is signed days after startingGet the signed interim or temporary protective order and keep a copy with you. A temporary protective order is effective for not more than 7 days after service, until the final hearing (Md. Code Family Law 4-505). Note your hearing date from the order.
Arrange service on the respondent
Before the final hearing days after startingLaw enforcement serves the respondent with your petition and the order at no charge to you. Service is required for the judge to issue a final protective order. A judge can extend a temporary order, not to exceed 6 months, to complete service (Md. Code Family Law 4-505).
Attend the final hearing with your evidence
On the hearing date in your order days after startingGo to the final hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify. The judge decides by a preponderance of the evidence whether to issue a final protective order (Md. Code Family Law 4-506). If you miss the hearing, your temporary order can expire.
Track the expiration and extend if needed
Before the order expires (up to 1 year out) days after startingA final protective order can last up to 1 year, up to 2 years for a qualifying repeat order, or permanently in certain cases (Md. Code Family Law 4-506). Calendar the expiration date and ask the court to extend the order before it ends if abuse continues.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the Petition for Protection from Domestic Violence (CC-DC-DV-001) | Fill out Form CC-DC-DV-001 describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates, and confirm you are a person eligible for relief (Md. Code Family Law 4-501). Use the free forms at mdcourts.gov. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as possible after the abuse |
| File with the court or a District Court commissioner | File your petition with the District Court or Circuit Court clerk in the county where you live or where the abuse happened. There is no filing fee. If courts are closed, go to a District Court commissioner, who can issue an interim protective order right away (Md. Code Family Law 4-504.1). | - | Same day you finish the forms |
| Get and carry the interim or temporary order | Get the signed interim or temporary protective order and keep a copy with you. A temporary protective order is effective for not more than 7 days after service, until the final hearing (Md. Code Family Law 4-505). Note your hearing date from the order. | - | Same day it is signed |
| Arrange service on the respondent | Law enforcement serves the respondent with your petition and the order at no charge to you. Service is required for the judge to issue a final protective order. A judge can extend a temporary order, not to exceed 6 months, to complete service (Md. Code Family Law 4-505). | - | Before the final hearing |
| Attend the final hearing with your evidence | Go to the final hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify. The judge decides by a preponderance of the evidence whether to issue a final protective order (Md. Code Family Law 4-506). If you miss the hearing, your temporary order can expire. | - | On the hearing date in your order |
| Track the expiration and extend if needed | A final protective order can last up to 1 year, up to 2 years for a qualifying repeat order, or permanently in certain cases (Md. Code Family Law 4-506). Calendar the expiration date and ask the court to extend the order before it ends if abuse continues. | - | Before the order expires (up to 1 year out) |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Maryland Judiciary does not charge a filing fee to petition for a domestic violence protective order, and you are not charged for having the respondent served. A peace order, which covers people you do not have a domestic relationship with, is a separate process that can carry a filing fee.
When courts are closed, you can go to a District Court commissioner. If the commissioner finds reasonable grounds to believe abuse occurred, they can issue an interim protective order right away and set a temporary protective order hearing before a judge, usually the next day the court is open (Md. Code Family Law 4-504.1).
You can file if the abuser is a current or former spouse, a cohabitant, a relative by blood, marriage, or adoption, a co-parent, a vulnerable adult, or someone you had a sexual relationship with in the past year (Md. Code Family Law 4-501). For others, you would use a peace order instead.
A protective order covers abuse by someone you have a domestic or family relationship with under Family Law 4-501. A peace order, governed by Courts and Judicial Proceedings 3-1501, covers people you are not related to, such as neighbors or coworkers, and must be filed within 30 days of the act.
You start with Form CC-DC-DV-001, the Petition for Protection from Domestic Violence, available free from any District Court or Circuit Court clerk, a District Court commissioner, or mdcourts.gov. The Maryland Judiciary provides the current forms and instructions so you can file without a lawyer.
Both you and the respondent can attend, present evidence, and testify. The judge decides by a preponderance of the evidence whether the abuse occurred and, if so, issues a final protective order with terms such as no contact and stay-away provisions (Md. Code Family Law 4-506). The respondent must have been served first.
Yes. A final protective order can last up to 1 year, and up to 2 years for a repeat order against the same respondent (Md. Code Family Law 4-506). It can be made permanent if the respondent is convicted of the abuse and sentenced to at least 5 years, having served at least 12 months.
Violating a Maryland protective order is a crime. Call the police, who can arrest the respondent, and the court can also hold them in contempt. Keep a copy of your order with you at all times and report every violation. Active orders are entered in a statewide database so any officer can enforce them.
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