How to Get a Restraining Order in Oregon
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Oregon · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Oregon, a restraining order under the Family Abuse Prevention Act (FAPA) is a civil court order that tells an abuser to stop the abuse, stay away from you, and leave you alone (Oregon Revised Statutes 107.700 to 107.735). You can seek one when a family or household member, such as a current or former spouse, partner, a person you have a sexually intimate relationship with, a relative, or your child's other parent, has physically injured you, tried to, or made you afraid of imminent injury within the last 180 days. You file a Petition for Restraining Order to Prevent Abuse at the circuit court in the county where you or the abuser lives, and there is no cost to file (ORS 107.718(8)(c)). A judge reviews your petition at an ex parte hearing, held the day you file or the next judicial day, and can sign the order that day, without the other person present, if it shows you are in imminent danger of further abuse (ORS 107.718(1)). What makes Oregon distinctive is that this order takes effect as soon as it is signed and lasts two years, not a short temporary window (ORS 107.718(3)). The respondent has 30 days after being served to request a hearing to contest it. 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 Oregon
Where are you in getting a restraining order?
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How do I get a restraining order in Oregon?
File a Petition for Restraining Order to Prevent Abuse at the circuit court in the county where you or the abuser lives. There is no cost to file. A judge reviews it at an ex parte hearing the day you file or the next judicial day and can sign the order that day.
How long does it take to get a restraining order in Oregon?
A judge can sign your Oregon restraining order the same day you file, without the other person present, if your petition shows you are in imminent danger of further abuse (ORS 107.718(1)). The ex parte hearing is held the day you file or the next judicial day, and the order takes effect as soon as it is signed.
How long does a FAPA restraining order last in Oregon?
A FAPA restraining order in Oregon is effective for two years from the date the judge signs it, unless the court dismisses or cancels it (ORS 107.718(3)). Unlike some states, there is no short temporary order that expires in a few weeks. You can renew it for two more years before it expires (ORS 107.725).
Which court handles restraining orders in Oregon?
You file in the circuit court, in the county where you live or where the person you want protection from lives. Oregon circuit courts have facilitators and advocates who can help you fill out the forms, and the Oregon Judicial Department publishes the restraining order forms and instructions online at no charge.
Oregon restraining order law at a glance
In Oregon, a restraining order under the Family Abuse Prevention Act (FAPA) protects you from abuse by a family or household member, such as a spouse, partner, relative, or your child's other parent (ORS 107.700 to 107.735). You ask for one by filing a Petition for Restraining Order to Prevent Abuse at the circuit court, and there is no cost to file (ORS 107.718(8)(c)). A judge reviews your petition at an ex parte hearing, held the day you file or the next judicial day, and can sign the order that day if it shows imminent danger of further abuse (ORS 107.718(1)). The order takes effect as soon as it is signed and lasts two years (ORS 107.718(3)). The respondent has 30 days after service to request a hearing to contest it, and you can renew the order for two more years before it expires (ORS 107.725).
Getting an Oregon FAPA restraining order after threats from an ex-partner
In Oregon, a FAPA restraining order signed by a judge takes effect immediately and lasts two years, so a single ex parte hearing can give you lasting protection. Suppose your former partner has been showing up at your home and threatening you. You complete a Petition for Restraining Order to Prevent Abuse, describe the threats with dates, and file it at the circuit court at no cost (ORS 107.718(8)(c)). That day, at an ex parte hearing, a judge finds imminent danger of further abuse and signs the order (ORS 107.718(1)). A sheriff's deputy serves your ex. The respondent does not request a hearing within 30 days, so the two-year order stays in effect (ORS 107.718(3)). You keep a copy with you and calendar the expiration to renew before it ends. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
ORS 107.718 (ex parte order, two-year duration, no fee)
Requires an ex parte hearing on a FAPA petition and authorizes the court to issue a restraining order, without notice to the respondent, when the petitioner is in imminent danger of further abuse. The order is effective for two years (ORS 107.718(3)), and no filing, service, or hearing fee may be charged when the only relief sought is FAPA relief (ORS 107.718(8)(c)).
ORS 107.716 (respondent's hearing on request)
Provides that if the respondent requests a hearing to contest the restraining order, the court shall hold the hearing within 21 days after the request, or within 5 days if the respondent contests an order granting temporary child custody to the petitioner.
ORS 107.725 (renewal of the order)
Allows the petitioner to request renewal of a FAPA restraining order for a period of two years before the existing order expires, without proving new acts of abuse, if the petitioner reasonably fears further abuse. The statute does not limit the number of renewals.
ORS 107.700 to 107.735 (Family Abuse Prevention Act)
The Family Abuse Prevention Act sets out who may petition, a family or household member abused within the last 180 days (ORS 107.705, 107.710), filing in circuit court, and the relief a court may order, including no contact, stay away, and removal of the respondent from the home.
Regional Variances
Oregon restraining order rules at a glance
Order name
Restraining Order under the Family Abuse Prevention Act (FAPA), for abuse by a family or household member (ORS 107.700 to 107.735). Oregon has separate orders for other situations, including a Stalking Protective Order for stalking by anyone and an EPPWDAPA order to protect an elderly or disabled person.
Where to file
The circuit court, in the county where you or the respondent lives. There is no cost to file, and no filing, service, or hearing fee is charged for FAPA relief (ORS 107.718(8)(c)).
Emergency and temporary orders
Oregon does not use a separate short temporary order. A judge reviews your petition at an ex parte hearing, held the day you file or the next judicial day, and can sign the order that day without the respondent present, effective immediately (ORS 107.718(1)).
Final order duration
The order is effective for two years from the date the judge signs it, and it can be renewed for two more years at a time before it expires (ORS 107.718(3); ORS 107.725).
Main form
Petition for Restraining Order to Prevent Abuse, filed with a Confidential Information Form and the proposed Restraining Order to Prevent Abuse. Statewide forms are free from the Oregon Judicial Department at courts.oregon.gov/forms.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the Petition for Restraining Order to Prevent Abuse
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out the Petition for Restraining Order to Prevent Abuse describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates within the last 180 days, and complete the Confidential Information Form. Use the free Oregon Judicial Department forms and a court facilitator if you need help. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File your petition at the circuit court
Same day you finish the forms days after startingFile your papers with the circuit court clerk in the county where you or the abuser lives. There is no cost to file (ORS 107.718(8)(c)). The clerk gives your petition to a judge, usually the same day, for an ex parte hearing.
Attend the ex parte hearing and get the signed order
The day you file or the next judicial day days after startingA judge reviews your petition at an ex parte hearing without the respondent present. If it shows imminent danger of further abuse, the judge signs the order and it takes effect immediately (ORS 107.718(1)). Get a copy and keep it with you.
Arrange service on the respondent
As soon as the order is signed days after startingThe order must be served on the respondent before it can be enforced against them. The court can send it to the sheriff for service at no charge. You cannot serve the papers yourself. Make sure the certificate of service is filed with the court.
Prepare for a hearing if the respondent requests one
Within 30 days after service days after startingThe respondent has 30 days to request a hearing to contest the order. If one is set, it is held within 21 days, or 5 days if child custody is contested (ORS 107.716). Gather photos, messages, and witnesses to prove the abuse and ongoing danger.
Track the two-year expiration and renew if needed
Before the order expires (2 years out) days after startingA FAPA order lasts two years (ORS 107.718(3)). Calendar the expiration date and file to renew before it ends, for two more years at a time (ORS 107.725). You do not have to prove new abuse to renew, only a reasonable fear of further abuse.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the Petition for Restraining Order to Prevent Abuse | Fill out the Petition for Restraining Order to Prevent Abuse describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates within the last 180 days, and complete the Confidential Information Form. Use the free Oregon Judicial Department forms and a court facilitator if you need help. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as possible after the abuse |
| File your petition at the circuit court | File your papers with the circuit court clerk in the county where you or the abuser lives. There is no cost to file (ORS 107.718(8)(c)). The clerk gives your petition to a judge, usually the same day, for an ex parte hearing. | - | Same day you finish the forms |
| Attend the ex parte hearing and get the signed order | A judge reviews your petition at an ex parte hearing without the respondent present. If it shows imminent danger of further abuse, the judge signs the order and it takes effect immediately (ORS 107.718(1)). Get a copy and keep it with you. | - | The day you file or the next judicial day |
| Arrange service on the respondent | The order must be served on the respondent before it can be enforced against them. The court can send it to the sheriff for service at no charge. You cannot serve the papers yourself. Make sure the certificate of service is filed with the court. | - | As soon as the order is signed |
| Prepare for a hearing if the respondent requests one | The respondent has 30 days to request a hearing to contest the order. If one is set, it is held within 21 days, or 5 days if child custody is contested (ORS 107.716). Gather photos, messages, and witnesses to prove the abuse and ongoing danger. | - | Within 30 days after service |
| Track the two-year expiration and renew if needed | A FAPA order lasts two years (ORS 107.718(3)). Calendar the expiration date and file to renew before it ends, for two more years at a time (ORS 107.725). You do not have to prove new abuse to renew, only a reasonable fear of further abuse. | - | Before the order expires (2 years out) |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. There is no cost to file for a FAPA restraining order in Oregon. No filing fee, service fee, or hearing fee can be charged when the only relief you seek is a restraining order under the Family Abuse Prevention Act (ORS 107.718(8)(c)). The sheriff also serves the order at no charge.
The order takes effect as soon as it is signed. A copy must be served on the respondent before it can be enforced against them, and the court can send it to the sheriff for service. The respondent cannot be found in violation until they have been served.
You can file if the respondent is a current or former spouse or registered domestic partner, someone you live or lived with in a sexually intimate relationship, someone you had such a relationship with in the past two years, a relative by blood, marriage, or adoption, or your child's other parent (ORS 107.705).
You file the Petition for Restraining Order to Prevent Abuse, a Confidential Information Form, and the Restraining Order to Prevent Abuse itself. Oregon does not use numbered forms like some states. The Oregon Judicial Department publishes the current statewide forms and instructions for free at courts.oregon.gov/forms.
The respondent has 30 days from being served to request a hearing to contest the order. If they do, the court holds it within 21 days, or within 5 days if the respondent contests temporary child custody (ORS 107.716). At the hearing you must prove the abuse and ongoing danger.
Yes. A FAPA restraining order can be renewed for two years at a time, and there is no limit on the number of renewals (ORS 107.725). You must file the renewal before the order expires. You do not have to prove new acts of abuse, only a reasonable fear of further abuse.
Call the police (call 911). If the officer believes a violation happened, the officer must arrest the respondent. If the court finds a violation, the respondent can be fined, put on probation, or jailed. Keep a copy of your order with you at all times and report every violation.
No. You are not required to have a lawyer to obtain a FAPA restraining order, and court facilitators and advocates can help you with the forms, though they cannot answer legal questions. A lawyer can help if the case is contested. The Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Service is 800-452-7636.
Other Oregon guides
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