How to Get a Domestic Abuse Protection Order in Nebraska
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Nebraska · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Nebraska, a domestic abuse protection order is a civil court order signed by a judge that directs a family or household member to stop abusing, threatening, or contacting you and to stay away from you. It is issued under the Protection Orders Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-101 to 26-125). You can seek one when a spouse, former spouse, someone you live or lived with, a co-parent, or a relative has physically harmed you, threatened you, or put you in fear of harm. You file a Petition and Affidavit to Obtain Domestic Abuse Protection Order (Form DC 19:8) with the clerk of the district court, and there is no filing or service fee (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-116). If your affidavit shows you are in immediate danger of abuse before a hearing can be held, a judge can sign an ex parte order the same day, without the other person present (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-109). That order is temporary: the respondent is served and can ask for a show cause hearing within ten business days, held within thirty days of the request. A final order lasts at least one year and up to two years, and can be renewed (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-110, 26-111). 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 Nebraska
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How do I get a domestic abuse protection order in Nebraska?
File a Petition and Affidavit to Obtain Domestic Abuse Protection Order (Form DC 19:8) with the clerk of the district court. There is no filing fee (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-116). A judge reviews your affidavit and can sign an ex parte order the same day if you are in immediate danger.
How long does it take to get a protection order in Nebraska?
A judge can issue an ex parte protection order the same day you file, without the other person present, if your affidavit shows you are in immediate danger of abuse before a hearing can be held (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-109). The order takes effect once the respondent is served.
How long does a domestic abuse protection order last in Nebraska?
A final domestic abuse protection order in Nebraska lasts at least one year and up to two years, set at the court's discretion (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-110). Before it expires, you can ask the court to renew it for another year without proving new abuse (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-111).
Which court handles protection orders in Nebraska?
You file for a domestic abuse protection order with the clerk of the district court, usually in the county where you live or where the abuse happened. The Nebraska Judicial Branch provides the forms and self-help instructions so you can file without a lawyer, and there is no filing fee.
Nebraska protection order law at a glance
In Nebraska, a domestic abuse protection order is a civil court order that directs a family or household member to stop abusing you and to stay away, issued under the Protection Orders Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-101 to 26-125). You ask for one by filing a Petition and Affidavit to Obtain Domestic Abuse Protection Order (Form DC 19:8) with the clerk of the district court, and there is no filing or service fee (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-116). If your affidavit shows immediate danger, a judge can sign a temporary ex parte order the same day (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-109). The respondent is served and has ten business days to request a show cause hearing, held within thirty days of the request. A final order lasts at least one year and up to two years and can be renewed (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-110, 26-111).
Getting a Nebraska protection order after threats from an ex-partner
In Nebraska, a domestic abuse protection order can be signed the same day and lasts at least one year, which matters when an ex-partner keeps showing up and threatening you. Suppose that happens to you. You complete the Petition and Affidavit to Obtain Domestic Abuse Protection Order (Form DC 19:8), describe the threats with dates, and file it with the district court clerk at no cost (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-116). That afternoon a judge signs a temporary ex parte order because your affidavit shows immediate danger (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-109). The sheriff serves your ex, who does not request a hearing within ten business days, so the order stands. It runs for one year and you can renew it (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-110, 26-111). Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-109 (ex parte protection order and show cause hearing)
Provides that a domestic abuse protection order may be issued ex parte if the affidavit shows the petitioner will be in immediate danger of abuse before the matter can be heard on notice, that such an order is temporary, and that the respondent may return a form to request a show cause hearing within ten business days after service, with the hearing held within thirty days of receipt of the request.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-110 (term of a protection order)
Provides that a protection order may be issued for an initial period of at least one year and no more than two years, unless dismissed or modified by the court, with the length of the initial period set at the court's discretion based on the evidence presented.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-111 (renewal of a protection order)
Provides that a petitioner may file a petition and affidavit to renew a protection order, that a renewed protection order is effective for a period of one year, and that a renewal may be granted based on the petitioner's affidavit without a showing of a new act of abuse.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-116 (no fee to file, issue, or serve)
Provides that fees to cover costs associated with the filing of a petition for a protection order or the issuance or service of a protection order seeking only the relief provided by the Protection Orders Act shall not be charged, except that a court may assess such fees and costs if it finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that the statements in the petition were false and that the order was sought in bad faith.
Regional Variances
Nebraska protection order rules at a glance
Order name
Domestic Abuse Protection Order, issued under the Protection Orders Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-101 to 26-125). Nebraska also offers separate harassment protection orders and sexual assault protection orders for people who are not family or household members.
Where to file
The clerk of the district court, usually in the county where you live or where the abuse happened. There is no filing or service fee for a domestic abuse protection order (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-116).
Emergency and temporary orders
A judge can sign a temporary ex parte order the same day if your affidavit shows immediate danger of abuse before a hearing can be held (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-109). It lasts until any show cause hearing, which is held only if the respondent or the petitioner requests one.
Final order duration
A final order lasts at least one year and up to two years, set at the court's discretion (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-110), and can be renewed for another year without proving new abuse (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-111).
Main form
Petition and Affidavit to Obtain Domestic Abuse Protection Order (Form DC 19:8), with instructions in Form DC 19:8a. Forms are free through the Nebraska Judicial Branch.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the Petition and Affidavit to Obtain Domestic Abuse Protection Order
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out Form DC 19:8, describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates, using the free instructions in DC 19:8a. Local domestic violence programs can help you complete it. 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 Form DC 19:8 with the clerk of the district court in the county where you live or where the abuse happened. There is no filing fee (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-116). Ask the clerk when the judge will decide on your ex parte order.
Get and carry the ex parte protection order
Same day the judge signs it days after startingIf the judge signs a temporary ex parte order (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-109), get a certified copy and keep it with you. It takes effect once the respondent is served and stays in place until any show cause hearing.
Arrange service on the respondent
Right after the order is signed days after startingThe county sheriff serves the respondent with your petition, the order, and a form to request a show cause hearing, at no charge. Service puts the order into effect and starts the respondent's ten business days to ask for a hearing.
Prepare for a show cause hearing if one is set
Within thirty days of a hearing request days after startingA hearing is held only if the respondent or you request one (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-109). If one is set, gather photos, messages, and witnesses, and be ready to testify about the abuse so the judge can decide on a final order.
Track the expiration and renew before it ends
Before the order expires (1 to 2 years out) days after startingA final order lasts at least one year and up to two years (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-110). Calendar the expiration date and file to renew for another year before it ends (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-111). You do not have to prove new abuse to renew.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the Petition and Affidavit to Obtain Domestic Abuse Protection Order | Fill out Form DC 19:8, describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates, using the free instructions in DC 19:8a. Local domestic violence programs can help you complete it. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as possible after the abuse |
| File your petition with the district court | File Form DC 19:8 with the clerk of the district court in the county where you live or where the abuse happened. There is no filing fee (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-116). Ask the clerk when the judge will decide on your ex parte order. | - | Same day you finish the forms |
| Get and carry the ex parte protection order | If the judge signs a temporary ex parte order (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-109), get a certified copy and keep it with you. It takes effect once the respondent is served and stays in place until any show cause hearing. | - | Same day the judge signs it |
| Arrange service on the respondent | The county sheriff serves the respondent with your petition, the order, and a form to request a show cause hearing, at no charge. Service puts the order into effect and starts the respondent's ten business days to ask for a hearing. | - | Right after the order is signed |
| Prepare for a show cause hearing if one is set | A hearing is held only if the respondent or you request one (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-109). If one is set, gather photos, messages, and witnesses, and be ready to testify about the abuse so the judge can decide on a final order. | - | Within thirty days of a hearing request |
| Track the expiration and renew before it ends | A final order lasts at least one year and up to two years (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-110). Calendar the expiration date and file to renew for another year before it ends (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-111). You do not have to prove new abuse to renew. | - | Before the order expires (1 to 2 years out) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Nothing. Nebraska law says fees for filing, issuing, or serving a domestic abuse protection order shall not be charged (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-116). The one exception is that a court can assess costs if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the petition was false and filed in bad faith.
If your affidavit shows you are in immediate danger of abuse before a hearing can be held, a judge can issue a temporary ex parte order without notice to the other person (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-109). It takes effect once the respondent is served and stays in place until any hearing.
You can file if the person who abused you is a spouse or former spouse, someone you live or lived with, a person you have a child with, or a relative by blood or marriage. A parent or guardian can file on behalf of a child. For abuse by someone unrelated, you would use a harassment protection order.
You file the Petition and Affidavit to Obtain Domestic Abuse Protection Order, Form DC 19:8, along with the instructions in Form DC 19:8a. The Nebraska Judicial Branch and local domestic violence programs provide these forms free, and the clerk of the district court accepts them without a filing fee.
The respondent has ten business days after being served to return a form asking for a show cause hearing. If they do, or if you ask for one, the court sets the hearing within thirty days of the request (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-109). Your temporary order stays in effect until that hearing.
Yes. Before your order expires, you can file a petition and affidavit to renew it, and a renewed order is effective for one year (Neb. Rev. Stat. 26-111). You do not have to show a new act of abuse; you can renew based on there being no material change in circumstances.
Violating a domestic abuse protection order is a crime in Nebraska. Call the police, who can arrest the person, and keep a copy of your order with you at all times. Report every violation. Your active order is entered in a law enforcement database so any officer can confirm and enforce it.
No. Nebraska courts let people request a domestic abuse protection order on their own, with free forms and self-help instructions from the Nebraska Judicial Branch. Many people file without a lawyer, especially for the ex parte order. Legal help can be useful if the respondent contests the order at a hearing.
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