How to Get a Restraining Order in North Dakota
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · North Dakota · Last updated September 17, 2026
In North Dakota, a domestic violence protection order is a civil court order that directs a family or household member to stop the abuse and stay away from you. It is issued under the state's Civil Protection Orders chapter (N.D.C.C. ch. 14-07.7), which took effect January 1, 2026 and now covers domestic violence protection orders, disorderly conduct restraining orders, and sexual assault restraining orders in one framework. You seek one when a spouse, partner, co-parent, or other household member has committed or threatened domestic violence. You file a Petition for Civil Protection Order with the district court, and there is no filing fee (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-02). If your petition alleges reasonable grounds to believe domestic violence occurred, the court can grant a temporary protection order the same day, without notice to the other person (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-06). The court then sets a hearing no later than fourteen days after the temporary order issues (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-07). At that hearing the judge decides whether to enter a final domestic violence protection order, which lasts until the expiration date the court sets (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-03). For non-domestic harassment, a disorderly conduct restraining order is the separate path. 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 North Dakota
Where are you in getting a restraining order?
DocDraft provides document preparation, not legal advice.
How do I get a restraining order in North Dakota?
File a Petition for Civil Protection Order with the district court and ask for a domestic violence protection order. There is no filing fee (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-02). If your petition shows reasonable grounds to believe domestic violence occurred, a judge can grant a temporary order the same day.
How fast can I get a temporary protection order in North Dakota?
If your petition alleges reasonable grounds to believe a respondent engaged in domestic violence, the court may grant a temporary domestic violence protection order the same day, without notice to the other person (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-06). It stays in effect until the final order is served.
How long does a domestic violence protection order last in North Dakota?
A final domestic violence protection order lasts until the expiration date the court sets, which the order states at 11:59 p.m. (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-03). North Dakota does not fix a statutory maximum for this order, unlike a disorderly conduct restraining order, which may not exceed two years.
Which court handles protection orders in North Dakota?
You file in the district court, which hears civil protection order petitions before a district court judge or judicial referee. There is no filing fee for the petition (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-02), and no service fee may be charged to the petitioner (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-12).
North Dakota protection order law at a glance
In North Dakota, a domestic violence protection order is a civil court order that directs a family or household member to stop abuse and stay away from you, issued under the Civil Protection Orders chapter (N.D.C.C. ch. 14-07.7), effective January 1, 2026. You ask for one by filing a Petition for Civil Protection Order with the district court, and there is no filing fee (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-02). If the petition shows reasonable grounds to believe domestic violence occurred, a judge can grant a temporary order the same day, without notice to the other person (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-06). The court sets a hearing no later than fourteen days later (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-07). A final order lasts until the expiration date the court sets (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-03). Non-domestic harassment uses a separate disorderly conduct restraining order, which may not exceed two years.
Getting a North Dakota protection order after threats from an ex-partner
Suppose a former partner in North Dakota keeps showing up at your home and sending threats. You complete a Petition for Civil Protection Order, choose the domestic violence protection order, and file it with the district court at no cost (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-02). The same day, a judge finds reasonable grounds and signs a temporary domestic violence protection order without notice to your ex (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-06). The court sets a hearing within fourteen days (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-07), and the sheriff serves your ex for free. At the closed hearing you show the messages and testify. The judge enters a final order that runs until the expiration date the court sets (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-03). You keep a copy with you. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-06 (temporary domestic violence protection order)
Authorizes a court, pending a full hearing, to grant a temporary domestic violence protection order when the petition alleges reasonable grounds to believe the respondent engaged in domestic violence, and permits the court to issue it without giving notice to the respondent.
N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-07 (domestic violence protection order and 14-day hearing)
Provides that the court sets a hearing no later than fourteen days after issuance of the temporary domestic violence protection order, or a later date if good cause is shown, and may enter a final order after finding actual or imminent domestic violence.
N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-02 (petition and no filing fee)
Governs the petition for a civil protection order, including who may file and what facts it must allege, and provides that a filing fee may not be charged for a civil protection order petition.
N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-03 and 14-07.7-05 (order duration)
Provide that an order entered under the chapter expires on the expiration date stated in the order, with no fixed statutory maximum for a domestic violence protection order, while relief granted by a disorderly conduct restraining order may not exceed two years.
Regional Variances
North Dakota protection order rules at a glance
Order name
Domestic Violence Protection Order, issued under the Civil Protection Orders chapter (N.D.C.C. ch. 14-07.7), effective January 1, 2026. A separate disorderly conduct restraining order covers non-domestic harassment, and a sexual assault restraining order covers sexual assault.
Where to file
The district court, before a district court judge or judicial referee, using the Petition for Civil Protection Order. There is no filing fee for the petition (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-02) and no service fee to the petitioner (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-12).
Emergency and temporary orders
A judge can grant a temporary domestic violence protection order the same day, without notice to the respondent, if the petition shows reasonable grounds to believe domestic violence occurred (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-06). It stays in effect until the final order is served.
Final order duration
After the hearing, a final domestic violence protection order lasts until the expiration date the court sets (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-03). There is no fixed statutory maximum for this order. A disorderly conduct restraining order may not exceed two years (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-05).
Main form
The Petition for Civil Protection Order, a single form that covers domestic violence, disorderly conduct, and sexual assault; you mark which type you seek (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-02). North Dakota courts post self-help petitions and instructions.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the Petition for Civil Protection Order
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out the Petition for Civil Protection Order, choose the domestic violence protection order, and describe the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-02). Use the North Dakota court system self-help petitions and instructions. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File your petition with the district court
Same day you finish the petition days after startingFile the petition with the clerk of the district court in the county where you live, where the other person lives, or where the abuse occurred. There is no filing fee for a civil protection order petition (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-02). Ask when the judge will review your temporary order.
Get and carry the temporary protection order
Same day the judge signs it days after startingIf the judge grants a temporary domestic violence protection order (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-06), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It stays in effect until the final order is served. Note the hearing date the court sets.
Arrange service on the respondent
Before the hearing days after startingThe sheriff serves the respondent with the temporary order and notice of the hearing (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-07). No service fee may be charged to you (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-12). Service is required before the court can enter a final order at the hearing.
Attend the court hearing with your evidence
Within 14 days of the temporary order days after startingGo to the hearing, set no later than fourteen days after the temporary order issues (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-07). Bring photos, messages, and witnesses. Hearings involving domestic violence are closed to the public. If you miss the hearing, your temporary order can end.
Track the expiration date and act before it ends
Before the order expires days after startingA final domestic violence protection order lasts until the expiration date the court sets (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-03). Calendar that date. Either party may ask the court to amend an order by motion, so plan any request well before the order ends.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the Petition for Civil Protection Order | Fill out the Petition for Civil Protection Order, choose the domestic violence protection order, and describe the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-02). Use the North Dakota court system self-help petitions and instructions. 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 with the clerk of the district court in the county where you live, where the other person lives, or where the abuse occurred. There is no filing fee for a civil protection order petition (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-02). Ask when the judge will review your temporary order. | - | Same day you finish the petition |
| Get and carry the temporary protection order | If the judge grants a temporary domestic violence protection order (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-06), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It stays in effect until the final order is served. Note the hearing date the court sets. | - | Same day the judge signs it |
| Arrange service on the respondent | The sheriff serves the respondent with the temporary order and notice of the hearing (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-07). No service fee may be charged to you (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-12). Service is required before the court can enter a final order at the hearing. | - | Before the hearing |
| Attend the court hearing with your evidence | Go to the hearing, set no later than fourteen days after the temporary order issues (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-07). Bring photos, messages, and witnesses. Hearings involving domestic violence are closed to the public. If you miss the hearing, your temporary order can end. | - | Within 14 days of the temporary order |
| Track the expiration date and act before it ends | A final domestic violence protection order lasts until the expiration date the court sets (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-03). Calendar that date. Either party may ask the court to amend an order by motion, so plan any request well before the order ends. | - | Before the order expires |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A filing fee may not be charged for a civil protection order petition in North Dakota (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-02). No service fee may be charged to the petitioner either (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-12). This covers the domestic violence protection order path from filing through service.
A domestic violence protection order is for a family or household member who commits domestic violence (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-07). A disorderly conduct restraining order covers intrusive or unwanted acts by someone who is not a household member, and its relief may not exceed two years (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-05).
An individual who is or has been a victim of domestic violence by a family or household member may file (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-02). A parent, guardian, or attorney guardian ad litem may file for a minor, and a minor of sufficient and competent age may file on their own behalf.
North Dakota uses one Petition for Civil Protection Order that covers domestic violence, disorderly conduct, and sexual assault; you mark which type you seek (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-02). The North Dakota court system posts self-help petitions and instructions, though it notes self-help forms are not official court forms.
At the hearing, set within fourteen days of the temporary order (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-07), both sides can appear, present evidence, and testify. A hearing involving domestic violence is closed to the public (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-03). The court decides whether to enter a final domestic violence protection order.
A domestic violence protection order lasts until the expiration date the court sets (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-03), and either party may ask the court to amend an order by motion. North Dakota does not cap this order at two years, unlike the disorderly conduct and sexual assault orders.
Violating a civil protection order carries a criminal penalty (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-17), and a peace officer may arrest the respondent without a warrant on probable cause of a violation (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-18). Call the police, keep a copy of your order with you, and report every violation.
No. North Dakota's court system provides self-help resources so you can petition for a domestic violence protection order on your own, and there is no filing fee (N.D.C.C. 14-07.7-02). Legal help can be useful if the case is contested or the other side has a lawyer.
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