How to Get a Personal Protection Order in Michigan
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Michigan · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Michigan, a personal protection order (PPO) is a civil court order that directs an abuser to stop assaulting, threatening, stalking, or harassing you and to stay away from you. A domestic-relationship PPO is issued under Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950 against a spouse, former spouse, dating partner, co-parent, or person you live or have lived with. You start by filing a Petition for Personal Protection Order (Form CC 375) with the circuit court, and there is no filing fee (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2529). You can ask the judge to issue the order ex parte, meaning the same day and without the other person present, based on your sworn petition. Unlike a short bridge order, a Michigan ex parte PPO takes effect immediately and is valid for at least 182 days (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(13)). There is no automatic hearing; instead, the person restrained has 14 days after being served to file a motion to modify or rescind the order and request a hearing. The court sets an expiration date on the face of the order, commonly one year or more, and you can file a motion to extend it before it expires (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(29)). Michigan also offers a nondomestic stalking PPO under Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950a. 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 personal protection order in Michigan?
File a Petition for Personal Protection Order (Form CC 375) with the circuit court in your county. There is no filing fee (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2529). Ask the judge to issue the order ex parte, and a judge can review your sworn petition and sign a PPO the same day.
How quickly can I get a PPO in Michigan?
A judge can issue an ex parte PPO the same day you file, without the other person present, if your verified petition shows immediate and irreparable injury (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(12)). It takes effect immediately once signed. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
How long does a personal protection order last in Michigan?
An ex parte PPO is valid for not less than 182 days (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(13)), so it is not a short bridge order. The court sets an expiration date on the face of the order, commonly one year or more, and you can move to extend it before it expires.
Which court handles personal protection orders in Michigan?
You file in the circuit court, which handles all personal protection orders in Michigan. You can generally file in the county where you or the respondent lives. The Michigan Courts self-help resources and Michigan Legal Help provide the PPO forms and instructions for filing without a lawyer.
Michigan personal protection order law at a glance
In Michigan, a personal protection order (PPO) protects you from assault, threats, stalking, or harassment by a spouse, former spouse, dating partner, co-parent, or someone you live with, under Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950. You ask for one by filing a Petition for Personal Protection Order (Form CC 375) with the circuit court, and there is no filing fee (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2529). A judge can grant an ex parte PPO the same day, without the other person present, if your verified petition shows immediate and irreparable injury (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(12)). That ex parte order takes effect immediately and is valid for at least 182 days (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(13)). The person restrained has 14 days after service to move to modify or rescind it. Michigan also offers a nondomestic stalking PPO under Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950a.
Getting a Michigan PPO after threats from a former partner
Suppose a former dating partner in Michigan keeps showing up at your home and sending threatening messages. You complete a Petition for Personal Protection Order (Form CC 375), describe the threats with dates, and file it with the circuit court at no cost (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2529). You ask for an ex parte order, and that same day a judge signs a PPO because your petition shows immediate and irreparable injury (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(12)). It takes effect immediately and is valid for 182 days. A sheriff's deputy serves your ex, who does not move to rescind within 14 days, so the order stands. You calendar the expiration date and plan to move to extend it before it ends. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950 (domestic-relationship PPO and ex parte order)
Authorizes a circuit court to issue a personal protection order restraining a spouse, former spouse, dating partner, co-parent, or household member, and provides that an ex parte order issued under subsection (12) is valid for not less than 182 days, with the restrained individual able to move to modify or rescind it within 14 days after service.
Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2529 (no filing fee for PPO actions)
Provides that the civil action filing fee does not apply to an action brought exclusively under section 2950 or 2950a, and that the clerk shall not collect a motion fee for a motion to dismiss, modify, rescind, or terminate a personal protection order or to show cause for a violation.
Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(29) (extending a PPO)
Allows the petitioner to file a motion to extend the personal protection order for a specific period or to make it permanent, filed before the order expires, so protection can continue past the expiration date stated on the face of the order.
Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950a (nondomestic stalking PPO)
Authorizes a personal protection order against a person you do not have a domestic relationship with, based on stalking or conduct prohibited under the stalking and harassment statutes, filed in the circuit court on a separate petition.
Regional Variances
Michigan personal protection order rules at a glance
Order name
Personal protection order (PPO). A domestic-relationship PPO is issued under Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950; a separate nondomestic stalking PPO under Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950a covers people you do not have a domestic relationship with.
Where to file
The circuit court, generally in the county where you live or where the respondent lives. There is no filing fee for a PPO (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2529).
Emergency and temporary orders
You can request an ex parte PPO, which a judge can sign the same day without the respondent present if your verified petition shows immediate and irreparable injury (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(12)). It takes effect immediately and is valid for at least 182 days (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(13)).
Final order duration
The court sets an expiration date on the face of the order, commonly one year or more. The petitioner can file a motion to extend it for a specific period or make it permanent before it expires (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(29)).
Main form
Form CC 375, Petition for Personal Protection Order (domestic relationship). If granted, the court issues the order on Form CC 377. Forms are free through Michigan Courts and Michigan Legal Help.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the Petition for Personal Protection Order (CC 375)
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out Form CC 375, naming the respondent and describing specific acts and dates of abuse, threats, or stalking. Use the free Michigan Courts and Michigan Legal Help forms 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 Form CC 375 with the circuit court clerk in the county where you live or where the respondent lives. There is no filing fee for a PPO (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2529). Ask the clerk when the judge will decide on an ex parte order.
Request and carry the ex parte PPO
Same day the judge signs it days after startingAsk for an ex parte order. If the judge signs it (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(12)), get the signed PPO (Form CC 377) and keep a copy with you. It takes effect immediately and is valid for at least 182 days.
Arrange service on the respondent
As soon as the order is signed days after startingHave an adult who is not you, a process server, or a law enforcement officer serve the signed PPO on the respondent, then file the proof of service. Service lets the order be enforced against the respondent and gives them notice of the 14-day window.
Prepare for a hearing if the respondent objects
Within 14 days after the respondent is served days after startingThere is no automatic hearing, but the respondent can move to modify or rescind the order within 14 days of service (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(13)). Gather photos, messages, and witnesses in case the court sets a hearing on that motion.
Track the expiration and extend if needed
Before the order expires days after startingCalendar the expiration date stated on the face of the order. File a motion to extend the PPO for a specific period or to make it permanent before it ends (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(29)). You do not have to wait for it to expire to ask.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the Petition for Personal Protection Order (CC 375) | Fill out Form CC 375, naming the respondent and describing specific acts and dates of abuse, threats, or stalking. Use the free Michigan Courts and Michigan Legal Help forms 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 Form CC 375 with the circuit court clerk in the county where you live or where the respondent lives. There is no filing fee for a PPO (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2529). Ask the clerk when the judge will decide on an ex parte order. | - | Same day you finish the petition |
| Request and carry the ex parte PPO | Ask for an ex parte order. If the judge signs it (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(12)), get the signed PPO (Form CC 377) and keep a copy with you. It takes effect immediately and is valid for at least 182 days. | - | Same day the judge signs it |
| Arrange service on the respondent | Have an adult who is not you, a process server, or a law enforcement officer serve the signed PPO on the respondent, then file the proof of service. Service lets the order be enforced against the respondent and gives them notice of the 14-day window. | - | As soon as the order is signed |
| Prepare for a hearing if the respondent objects | There is no automatic hearing, but the respondent can move to modify or rescind the order within 14 days of service (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(13)). Gather photos, messages, and witnesses in case the court sets a hearing on that motion. | - | Within 14 days after the respondent is served |
| Track the expiration and extend if needed | Calendar the expiration date stated on the face of the order. File a motion to extend the PPO for a specific period or to make it permanent before it ends (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(29)). You do not have to wait for it to expire to ask. | - | Before the order expires |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Michigan does not charge a filing fee to petition for a personal protection order. Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2529(1)(a) exempts an action brought exclusively under section 2950 or 2950a from the civil filing fee, and the clerk cannot collect a motion fee for a PPO motion under subsection (1)(e).
The ex parte PPO takes effect immediately once signed and is valid for at least 182 days (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(13)). There is no automatic hearing. The respondent has 14 days after being served to file a motion to modify or rescind the order and request a hearing.
You can file a domestic-relationship PPO under Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950 if the respondent is your spouse or former spouse, someone you have or had a dating relationship with, a co-parent of your child, or a person you live or have lived with. For others, use a nondomestic stalking PPO.
You start with Form CC 375, the Petition for Personal Protection Order for a domestic relationship, and file it with the circuit court. If the judge grants your request, the court issues the order itself on Form CC 377. Michigan Courts and Michigan Legal Help provide these forms and instructions free of charge.
Yes. You can file a motion to extend the PPO for a specific period or to make it permanent (Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950(29)). File the motion before the order expires, because a PPO ends on the expiration date stated on its face unless the court extends it first.
Violating a personal protection order is contempt of court in Michigan and can lead to arrest and jail. Call the police if the respondent violates the order, and keep a copy with you. Michigan enters PPOs into the statewide Law Enforcement Information Network so any officer can verify and enforce them.
No. Michigan courts let you request a personal protection order on your own, and Michigan Courts and Michigan Legal Help offer free forms and step-by-step instructions. Many people file without a lawyer. Legal help can still be useful if the respondent contests the order or has an attorney.
A nondomestic stalking PPO is issued under Mich. Comp. Laws 600.2950a and protects you from someone you do not have a domestic relationship with, such as a neighbor, coworker, or acquaintance, based on stalking or a pattern of harassing conduct. You file it in the same circuit court using a separate petition form.
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