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How to Get a Restraining Order in Massachusetts

Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Massachusetts · Last updated September 17, 2026

In Massachusetts, an abuse prevention order, widely called a 209A order, is a civil court order that directs a family or household member to stop abusing you and to stay away from you, issued under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 209A. You seek one when someone you have or had a family, household, or dating relationship with has harmed you, tried to harm you, or made you fear serious harm. You start by filing a Complaint for Protection from Abuse with the District Court, Boston Municipal Court, Probate and Family Court, or Superior Court. There is no filing fee (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 3). A judge can grant a temporary order the same day, without the other person present, if you show a substantial likelihood of immediate danger of abuse (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 4). That temporary order lasts until a hearing, which the court holds no later than ten court business days after the order is entered. At the hearing the judge decides whether to issue a final order, which can last up to one year and can be renewed or made permanent (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 3). When courts are closed, you can go to your local police, who will contact a judge for emergency relief (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 5). 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 Massachusetts

Where are you in getting a restraining order?

DocDraft provides document preparation, not legal advice.

How do I get a restraining order in Massachusetts?

File a Complaint for Protection from Abuse with the District Court, Boston Municipal Court, Probate and Family Court, or Superior Court. There is no filing fee (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 3). A judge can grant a same-day temporary order based on your affidavit, and a hearing is held within ten court business days.

How long does it take to get a restraining order in Massachusetts?

A judge can issue a temporary abuse prevention order the same day you file, without the other person present, if you show a substantial likelihood of immediate danger of abuse (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 4). When courts are closed, your local police can contact a judge for emergency relief (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 5).

How long does an abuse prevention order last in Massachusetts?

A temporary order lasts until your hearing, which is held no later than ten court business days after it is entered (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 4). A final order lasts for a fixed period not to exceed one year (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 3). You can return before it expires to extend or make it permanent.

Which court handles restraining orders in Massachusetts?

You can file in the District Court, Boston Municipal Court, Probate and Family Court, or Superior Court that covers where you live. The Massachusetts Court System provides the forms and self-help guidance for requesting a 209A abuse prevention order without a lawyer, and there is no filing fee.

Massachusetts restraining order law at a glance

In Massachusetts, an abuse prevention order, commonly called a 209A order, protects you from abuse by a family or household member under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 209A. You ask for one by filing a Complaint for Protection from Abuse with the District Court, Boston Municipal Court, Probate and Family Court, or Superior Court, and there is no filing fee (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 3). A judge can grant a temporary order the same day, without notice to the other person, if you show a substantial likelihood of immediate danger of abuse (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 4). That temporary order lasts until a hearing held no later than ten court business days after it is entered. A final order can last up to one year and can be extended or made permanent (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 3). A separate 258E order covers abuse by someone you are not related to.

Getting a Massachusetts 209A order after threats from an ex-partner

Your ex-wife in Massachusetts keeps waiting outside your home and sending threatening messages after the breakup. You complete a Complaint for Protection from Abuse and an affidavit describing the threats with dates, and file it at the District Court at no cost (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 3). The same day, a judge reviews your affidavit and issues a temporary 209A order because you show a substantial likelihood of immediate danger of abuse (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 4), setting a hearing within ten court business days. A police officer serves your ex with the papers. At the hearing you bring screenshots of the messages and testify. The judge issues a one-year order for no contact and to stay away (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 3). You keep a copy with you and calendar the expiration date to return and extend it. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.

Relevant Laws

M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 4 (temporary ex parte order and hearing)

Provides that if the plaintiff demonstrates a substantial likelihood of immediate danger of abuse, the court may enter temporary relief orders without notice, and shall give the defendant an opportunity to be heard no later than ten court business days after such orders are entered.

M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 3 (no filing fee, duration, and renewal)

Provides that no filing fee shall be charged for the filing of the complaint, that any relief granted shall be for a fixed period of time not to exceed one year, and that at the expiration hearing the court may extend the order or enter a permanent order.

M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 5 (relief when the court is closed)

Provides that when the court is closed for business, any justice of the superior, probate and family, district, or Boston municipal court departments may grant relief as provided under section four if the plaintiff demonstrates a substantial likelihood of immediate danger of abuse.

M.G.L. c. 258E (harassment prevention orders)

Authorizes a harassment prevention order for a person suffering from harassment by someone who is not a family or household member, providing a separate civil remedy for abuse, stalking, or harassment outside a domestic relationship.

Regional Variances

Massachusetts restraining order rules at a glance

Order name

Abuse Prevention Order, commonly called a 209A order or restraining order, issued under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 209A. A separate 258E harassment prevention order covers people you are not related to.

Where to file

The District Court, Boston Municipal Court, Probate and Family Court, or Superior Court for the area where you live. There is no filing fee (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 3).

Emergency and temporary orders

When courts are closed, police can contact a judge for emergency relief (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 5). A judge can issue a same-day temporary order, which lasts until a hearing held no later than ten court business days later (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 4).

Final order duration

After a hearing, a final order lasts for a fixed period not to exceed one year, and can be extended for additional time or made permanent when you appear at the expiration hearing (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 3).

Main form

Complaint for Protection from Abuse, filed with an affidavit, a Plaintiff Confidential Information Form, and a Defendant Information Form. Forms are free through the Massachusetts Court System.

Suggested Compliance Checklist

Complete the Complaint for Protection from Abuse

As soon as possible after the abuse days after starting

Fill out the Complaint for Protection from Abuse and the affidavit describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates, plus the Plaintiff Confidential Information Form. Use the free Massachusetts court forms and a victim advocate if you need help. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.

File your forms with the right court

Same day you finish the forms days after starting

File the complaint with the clerk at the District Court, Boston Municipal Court, Probate and Family Court, or Superior Court for where you live. There is no filing fee (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 3). Ask the clerk when the judge will decide on your temporary order.

Get and carry the temporary order

Same day the judge signs it days after starting

If the judge grants a temporary order (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 4), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It lasts until your hearing, which is set no later than ten court business days out. Note your hearing date.

Confirm service on the other person

Before the hearing days after starting

The court arranges for a police officer or sheriff to serve the other person with your papers at no charge. Confirm that service was completed and that the return is filed. Service is required for the judge to issue a final order at the hearing.

Attend the court hearing with your evidence

Within ten court business days of the temporary order days after starting

Go to the hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can be heard. The judge decides whether to issue a final order (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 4). If you miss the hearing, your temporary order can expire.

Track the expiration and extend if needed

On the date the order is set to expire days after starting

A final order lasts up to one year (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 3). Calendar the expiration date and appear in court that day to extend the order for additional time or ask the judge to make it permanent.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. There is no filing fee for an abuse prevention order in Massachusetts. Section 3 of Chapter 209A states that no filing fee shall be charged for the filing of the complaint. You also are not charged for the sheriff or police to serve the papers on the other person.

When the court is closed, you can call or go to your local police station. The police gather your information and contact an on-call judge, who can grant emergency relief if you show a substantial likelihood of immediate danger of abuse (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 5). You then go to court on the next business day.

You can file if the person who abused you is a family or household member, such as a current or former spouse, someone you live or lived with, a co-parent, a relative by blood or marriage, or a current or former dating partner. For abuse by someone you are not related to, you would use a 258E harassment prevention order.

You start with the Complaint for Protection from Abuse and an affidavit describing the abuse, filed with the Plaintiff Confidential Information Form and a Defendant Information Form. If children are involved, you may also file a care or custody disclosure affidavit. The Massachusetts Court System provides the current forms at no charge.

The hearing is held no later than ten court business days after the temporary order (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 4). Both you and the other person can attend, present evidence, and testify. The judge decides whether to continue the order and issue a final order, and what terms to include, such as no contact and stay-away orders.

Yes. A final order lasts for a fixed period not to exceed one year (M.G.L. c. 209A, s. 3). If you appear at court on the date and time the order is set to expire, the judge decides whether to extend it for any additional time reasonably necessary to protect you, or to enter a permanent order.

Violating an abuse prevention order is a crime in Massachusetts. Call the police, who can arrest the person, and the court can also enforce the order. Keep a copy with you at all times and report every violation. Active orders are entered in a statewide registry so any officer can confirm and enforce them.

No. Massachusetts courts allow people to request a 209A order on their own, with free forms, clerks, and victim advocates who can help. Many people file without a lawyer, especially for a temporary order. Legal help can be useful if the case is contested or the other person has an attorney.

Other Massachusetts guides

Asset Protection Planning in Massachusetts (2026)

Dealing With Debt Collectors in Massachusetts (2026)

Expunging a Criminal Record in Massachusetts (2026)

Filing a Workplace Harassment Complaint in Massachusetts

Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Massachusetts (2026)

Firing an Employee in Massachusetts (2026)

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