How to Get a Protective Order in Rhode Island
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Rhode Island · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Rhode Island, a protective order (obtained by filing a Complaint for Protection from Abuse) is a civil court order that directs an abuser to stop the abuse and stay away from you. Rhode Island splits these cases by relationship: the Family Court hears abuse between present or former family or household members under R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 15-15, while the District Court hears abuse by a dating partner or non-family cohabitant under chapter 8-8.1. You seek one when someone has physically harmed you, placed you in fear of imminent serious harm, forced sexual relations, or stalked you. You start by filing the complaint with the correct court, and there is no filing fee. A judge can grant a temporary order without the other person present, based on your sworn statement, when you show a risk of immediate and present physical harm (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-4). That temporary order lasts up to twenty-one days, until a court hearing where both sides can appear. At the hearing the judge decides whether to issue a final protective order, which lasts for a fixed period of up to three years and can be extended for any additional time the court finds necessary to protect you (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-3). 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 Rhode Island
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How do I get a protective order in Rhode Island?
File a Complaint for Protection from Abuse with the court that matches your relationship to the abuser: Family Court for a present or former family or household member, District Court for a dating partner or non-family cohabitant. There is no filing fee, and a judge can grant a temporary order the same day based on your sworn statement.
How long does it take to get a protective order in Rhode Island?
A judge can issue a temporary order the same day you file, without the other person present, when your sworn complaint shows a risk of immediate and present physical harm (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-4). A hearing on a longer order is then set within a reasonable time, usually a few weeks after you file.
How long does a protective order last in Rhode Island?
A temporary order lasts up to twenty-one days, until your court hearing (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-4). After the hearing, a final protective order can last for a fixed period of up to three years, and the court can extend it for any additional time it finds necessary to protect you (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-3).
Which court handles protective orders in Rhode Island?
It depends on your relationship. The Family Court hears abuse between present or former family or household members under chapter 15-15. The District Court hears abuse by a dating partner or someone you are not related to under chapter 8-8.1. The Rhode Island Judiciary provides the complaint forms for each court.
Rhode Island protective order law at a glance
In Rhode Island, a protective order stops abuse by directing the other person to have no contact with you and to stay away, and you request one by filing a Complaint for Protection from Abuse. Rhode Island routes these cases by relationship: the Family Court hears abuse between present or former family or household members (R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 15-15), and the District Court hears abuse by a dating partner or non-family cohabitant (chapter 8-8.1). There is no filing fee. A judge can grant a temporary order without notice to the other person when your sworn statement shows a risk of immediate and present physical harm, and that order lasts up to twenty-one days until a hearing (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-4). A final order lasts for a fixed period of up to three years and can be extended (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-3).
Getting a Rhode Island protective order after threats from an ex-partner
Suppose a former dating partner in Rhode Island has been showing up at your home and sending threatening messages, so you file in the District Court under chapter 8-8.1 because the two of you are not related. You complete a Complaint for Protection from Abuse describing the threats with dates and file it at no cost. The same day, a judge reviews your sworn statement and signs a temporary order because it shows a risk of immediate and present physical harm (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-4), setting a hearing within a few weeks. A sheriff serves your ex for free. At the hearing you show the messages and testify, and the judge grants a three-year protective order for no contact and to stay away (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-3). You keep a copy of the signed order with you. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-4 (temporary orders / ex parte)
Authorizes the court to enter a temporary order without notice to protect the plaintiff from abuse. Such an order shall expire by its terms within any time after entry, not to exceed twenty-one (21) days, that the court fixes, and the matter shall be set down for a hearing within a reasonable time.
R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-3 (protective orders / duration)
Provides that any relief granted by the court shall be for a fixed period of time not to exceed three (3) years, at the expiration of which the court may extend any order, upon motion of the plaintiff, for any additional time that it deems necessary to protect the plaintiff from abuse, and may modify its order at any time.
R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-1 (definitions)
Defines domestic abuse and present or former family member for Family Court protection from abuse cases, covering spouses, former spouses, persons related by blood or marriage, co-parents, and certain dating relationships.
R.I. Gen. Laws 8-8.1-3 (District Court protection from abuse)
Governs protection from abuse complaints heard in the District Court, which handles abuse by parties who are not family members, and likewise provides that any relief granted shall be for a fixed period of time not to exceed three (3) years.
Regional Variances
Rhode Island protective order rules at a glance
Order name
Protective order, obtained by filing a Complaint for Protection from Abuse under the domestic abuse prevention statutes (R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 15-15 in Family Court and chapter 8-8.1 in District Court).
Where to file
The Family Court if the abuser is a present or former family or household member (chapter 15-15), or the District Court if the abuser is a dating partner or a non-family cohabitant (chapter 8-8.1). There is no filing fee.
Emergency and temporary orders
A judge can enter a temporary order without notice to the other person when your sworn statement shows a risk of immediate and present physical harm. It lasts up to twenty-one days, until a hearing (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-4).
Final order duration
After a hearing, a final protective order lasts for a fixed period of up to three years, and the court can extend it for any additional time it finds necessary to protect you (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-3).
Main form
The Complaint for Protection from Abuse, called the Domestic Abuse Complaint in the District Court. The Rhode Island Judiciary provides the current forms free through the court clerk and its website.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the Complaint for Protection from Abuse
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out the complaint for a protective order describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates. Use the free Rhode Island Judiciary Domestic Abuse Complaint form and clerk assistance if you need help. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File with the correct court for your relationship
Same day you finish the complaint days after startingFile with the Family Court if the abuser is a present or former family or household member (chapter 15-15), or the District Court if the abuser is a dating partner or non-family cohabitant (chapter 8-8.1). There is no filing fee. Ask the clerk when the judge will decide on your temporary order.
Get and carry the temporary order
Same day the judge signs it days after startingIf the judge grants a temporary order (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-4), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It lasts up to twenty-one days, until your hearing. Note your hearing date from the paperwork the court gives you.
Arrange service on the other person
Before the hearing days after startingThe court arranges for a sheriff to personally serve the other person with your complaint, the temporary order, and the hearing notice at no charge to you. Service is required for the judge to grant a final order at the hearing.
Attend the court hearing with your evidence
On the hearing date the court sets 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 protective order. If you miss the hearing, your temporary order can expire.
Track the expiration and move to extend if needed
Before the order expires (up to 3 years out) days after startingA final order lasts up to three years (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-3). Calendar the expiration date and file a motion to extend before it ends, for any additional time the court finds necessary to protect you. You can also ask the court to modify the order.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the Complaint for Protection from Abuse | Fill out the complaint for a protective order describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates. Use the free Rhode Island Judiciary Domestic Abuse Complaint form and clerk assistance if you need help. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as possible after the abuse |
| File with the correct court for your relationship | File with the Family Court if the abuser is a present or former family or household member (chapter 15-15), or the District Court if the abuser is a dating partner or non-family cohabitant (chapter 8-8.1). There is no filing fee. Ask the clerk when the judge will decide on your temporary order. | - | Same day you finish the complaint |
| Get and carry the temporary order | If the judge grants a temporary order (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-4), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It lasts up to twenty-one days, until your hearing. Note your hearing date from the paperwork the court gives you. | - | Same day the judge signs it |
| Arrange service on the other person | The court arranges for a sheriff to personally serve the other person with your complaint, the temporary order, and the hearing notice at no charge to you. Service is required for the judge to grant a final order 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 protective order. If you miss the hearing, your temporary order can expire. | - | On the hearing date the court sets |
| Track the expiration and move to extend if needed | A final order lasts up to three years (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-3). Calendar the expiration date and file a motion to extend before it ends, for any additional time the court finds necessary to protect you. You can also ask the court to modify the order. | - | Before the order expires (up to 3 years out) |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Rhode Island Judiciary grants domestic abuse protective orders in Family Court and District Court at no cost, so there is no filing fee for a Complaint for Protection from Abuse. A sheriff serves the complaint and order on the other person without charging you a service fee.
When you show a risk of immediate and present physical harm, a judge can enter a temporary protective order the same day, without notice to the other person (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-4). It takes effect once signed and lasts up to twenty-one days, until the court holds a hearing on a longer order.
In Family Court you can file if the abuser is a present or former spouse, someone related to you by blood or marriage, or a co-parent (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-1). If the abuser is a dating partner or a person you are not related to, you file in the District Court under chapter 8-8.1.
You file a Complaint for Protection from Abuse, called the Domestic Abuse Complaint in the District Court. The Rhode Island Judiciary provides the current complaint and instructions free through the court clerk and its website. Court staff can help you complete the paperwork, but they cannot give legal advice.
At the hearing, both you and the other person can attend, present evidence, and testify. The judge decides whether to issue a final protective order and what terms to include, such as no contact and stay away orders. If the other person was served and does not appear, the judge can still grant the order.
Yes. A final protective order lasts for a fixed period of up to three years, and before it expires you can file a motion asking the court to extend it for any additional time it finds necessary to protect you from abuse (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-15-3). The court can also modify the order.
Violating a protective order is a crime in Rhode Island. 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 law enforcement database for officers to enforce.
No. The Rhode Island courts are set up for people to request protective orders on their own, with free forms and clerk assistance. Many people file without a lawyer, especially for a temporary order. Legal help can be useful if the case is contested or the other person has an attorney.
Other Rhode Island guides
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