How to Get an Order for Protection in Minnesota
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Minnesota · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Minnesota, an Order for Protection (OFP) is a civil court order that directs an abuser to stop the abuse and stay away from you, issued under the Domestic Abuse Act (Minn. Stat. 518B.01). You seek one when a family or household member, a current or former partner, or a co-parent has harmed you or made you fear imminent harm. You start by filing a Petition for Order for Protection in the district court in the county where you live, where the abuser lives, or where the abuse happened. The filing fees are waived for both the petitioner and the respondent (Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 3a). A judge can grant an ex parte order the same day, without the other person present, if your petition shows an immediate and present danger of domestic abuse (subd. 7). That order stays in effect until your hearing, held not later than 14 days from the date of the order when you request one. At the hearing the judge can issue a final OFP lasting up to two years (subd. 6). If the abuser has violated a prior order twice, or you have had two or more orders against the same person, the court can grant an order lasting up to 50 years (subd. 6a). 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 Minnesota?
File a Petition for Order for Protection in the district court in the county where you live, where the abuser lives, or where the abuse happened. The filing fees are waived for both parties (Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 3a). A judge can grant a same-day ex parte order, and a hearing follows within 14 days.
How long does it take to get an Order for Protection in Minnesota?
A judge can issue an ex parte Order for Protection the same day you file, without the other person present, if your petition shows an immediate and present danger of domestic abuse (Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 7). If you request a hearing, it is held not later than 14 days from the date of the order.
How long does an Order for Protection last in Minnesota?
A final Order for Protection lasts a fixed period of up to two years, unless the court sets a longer period (Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 6). If the abuser has violated a prior order twice, or you have had two or more orders against the same person, the court can grant an order lasting up to 50 years (subd. 6a).
Which court handles Orders for Protection in Minnesota?
You file in the district court, in the county where you live, where the abuser lives, or where the abuse occurred. The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides Order for Protection forms and self-help guidance so you can petition without a lawyer, and the filing fees are waived for both parties (Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 3a).
Minnesota Order for Protection law at a glance
In Minnesota, an Order for Protection (OFP) protects you from abuse by a family or household member, a current or former partner, or a co-parent, under the Domestic Abuse Act (Minn. Stat. 518B.01). You ask for one by filing a Petition for Order for Protection in the district court, and the filing fees are waived for both the petitioner and the respondent (subd. 3a). A judge can grant an ex parte order the same day, without notice to the other person, if your petition shows an immediate and present danger of domestic abuse (subd. 7). That order stays in effect until a hearing, held not later than 14 days from the date of the order. A final OFP lasts up to two years, and up to 50 years for repeat abusers (subd. 6 and 6a).
Getting a Minnesota Order for Protection after threats from an ex-partner
Suppose your former partner in Minnesota keeps coming to your home and sending threatening messages. You complete a Petition for Order for Protection, describing the threats with dates, and file it in district court, where the filing fees are waived (Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 3a). The same day, a judge reviews your petition and signs an ex parte order because it shows an immediate and present danger of domestic abuse (subd. 7), setting a hearing within 14 days. Law enforcement serves your ex at no cost. At the hearing you bring screenshots and testify. The judge grants a two-year Order for Protection ordering no contact and to stay away from your home (subd. 6). You keep a copy with you and calendar its expiration. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 7 (ex parte order for protection)
Authorizes a court to grant an ex parte order for protection pending a full hearing. The order is effective for a fixed period set by the court, or until modified or vacated after a hearing, and upon request the hearing shall be held not later than 14 days from the date of the ex parte order.
Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 3a (filing fees waived)
Provides that the filing fees for an order for protection under this section are waived for the petitioner and respondent.
Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 6 and 6a (duration of the order)
Relief granted by an order for protection shall be for a fixed period not to exceed two years, except where the court determines a longer fixed period is appropriate. Under subd. 6a, the court may grant relief for up to 50 years if the respondent has violated a prior or existing order on two or more occasions, or the petitioner has had two or more orders in effect against the same respondent.
Minn. Stat. 609.748 (Harassment Restraining Order)
Provides a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) for harassment or stalking by a person who is not a family or household member. Unlike an order for protection, an HRO can carry a filing fee, which may be waived in certain cases.
Regional Variances
Minnesota Order for Protection rules at a glance
Order name
Order for Protection (OFP), issued under the Domestic Abuse Act (Minn. Stat. 518B.01). A separate Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) under Minn. Stat. 609.748 covers harassment or stalking by someone who is not a family or household member.
Where to file
The district court, in the county where you live, where the abuser lives, or where the abuse happened. The filing fees are waived for both the petitioner and the respondent (Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 3a).
Emergency and temporary orders
A judge can grant an ex parte Order for Protection the same day you file, without the other person present, when your petition shows an immediate and present danger of domestic abuse. It stays in effect until a hearing, held not later than 14 days from the date of the order when requested (Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 7).
Final order duration
After a hearing, a final Order for Protection lasts a fixed period of up to two years, unless the court sets a longer period (subd. 6). The court can grant an order lasting up to 50 years for a respondent who has violated a prior order twice or where two or more orders have been in effect against the same respondent (subd. 6a).
Main form
The Petition for Order for Protection, filed with the district court along with a supporting affidavit and a proposed order. The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides the current forms free through its self-help resources.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the Petition for Order for Protection
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out the Petition for Order for Protection describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates, and prepare the supporting affidavit and proposed order. Use the free Minnesota Judicial Branch forms and a court self-help center if you need help. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File your petition with the district court
Same day you finish the forms days after startingFile the Petition for Order for Protection with the district court administrator in the county where you live, where the abuser lives, or where the abuse happened. The filing fees are waived for both parties (Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 3a). Ask when the judge will decide on your ex parte order.
Get and carry the ex parte order
Same day the judge signs it days after startingIf the judge grants an ex parte Order for Protection (Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 7), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It stays in effect until your hearing, held not later than 14 days from the date of the order when you request one.
Arrange service on the respondent
Before the hearing days after startingHave law enforcement personally serve the respondent with your filed petition and the order at no charge to you, then confirm proof of service is filed. Proper service is required for the judge to issue a final Order for Protection at the hearing.
Attend the court hearing with your evidence
Within 14 days of the ex parte order days after startingGo to the hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify. The judge decides whether to issue a final Order for Protection and what terms to include (Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 6). If you miss the hearing, your ex parte order can expire.
Track the expiration and extend if needed
Before the order expires (up to 2 years out) days after startingA final order lasts up to two years, or up to 50 years for repeat abusers (Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 6 and 6a). Calendar the expiration date and ask the court to extend or renew the order before it ends if you still need protection.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the Petition for Order for Protection | Fill out the Petition for Order for Protection describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates, and prepare the supporting affidavit and proposed order. Use the free Minnesota Judicial Branch forms and a court self-help center 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 district court | File the Petition for Order for Protection with the district court administrator in the county where you live, where the abuser lives, or where the abuse happened. The filing fees are waived for both parties (Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 3a). Ask when the judge will decide on your ex parte order. | - | Same day you finish the forms |
| Get and carry the ex parte order | If the judge grants an ex parte Order for Protection (Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 7), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It stays in effect until your hearing, held not later than 14 days from the date of the order when you request one. | - | Same day the judge signs it |
| Arrange service on the respondent | Have law enforcement personally serve the respondent with your filed petition and the order at no charge to you, then confirm proof of service is filed. Proper service is required for the judge to issue a final Order for Protection at the hearing. | - | Before the hearing |
| Attend the court hearing with your evidence | Go to the hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify. The judge decides whether to issue a final Order for Protection and what terms to include (Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 6). If you miss the hearing, your ex parte order can expire. | - | Within 14 days of the ex parte order |
| Track the expiration and extend if needed | A final order lasts up to two years, or up to 50 years for repeat abusers (Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 6 and 6a). Calendar the expiration date and ask the court to extend or renew the order before it ends if you still need protection. | - | Before the order expires (up to 2 years out) |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Minnesota Statutes section 518B.01, subdivision 3a states that the filing fees for an order for protection under this section are waived for the petitioner and the respondent. You also are not charged for having law enforcement serve the papers on the abuser before your hearing.
An ex parte order is a temporary order a judge can grant without the other person present when your petition shows an immediate and present danger of domestic abuse (Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 7). It stays in effect until a hearing, held not later than 14 days from the date of the order when you request one.
You can file if the abuser is a family or household member, which includes a spouse or former spouse, a current or former partner, a co-parent, a blood relative, or someone you have lived with. A parent or guardian can file for a minor. For harassment by others, use a Harassment Restraining Order.
Most final orders last up to two years (Minn. Stat. 518B.01, subd. 6). The court can grant an order for up to 50 years if the respondent has violated a prior or existing order for protection on two or more occasions, or you have had two or more orders in effect against the same respondent (subd. 6a).
You start with the Petition for Order for Protection and file it with the district court, along with a supporting affidavit and a proposed order. The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides the current Order for Protection forms and filing instructions at no charge through its self-help resources and local court self-help centers.
At the hearing, both you and the respondent can attend, present evidence, and testify. The judge decides whether to issue a final Order for Protection and what terms to include, such as no contact and stay-away provisions. If the respondent was served and does not appear, the judge can still grant the order.
Violating an Order for Protection is a crime in Minnesota. 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 at all times and report every violation. Active orders are entered in a statewide law enforcement system.
No. The Minnesota Judicial Branch is set up for people to petition for an Order for Protection on their own, with free forms, self-help resources, and court self-help centers. Many people file without a lawyer, especially for an ex parte order. Legal help can be useful if the case is contested.
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