How to Get a Protective Order in Utah
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Utah · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Utah, a cohabitant abuse protective order is a civil court order that directs a partner, household member, or family member to stop the abuse and stay away from you, issued under the Cohabitant Abuse Protective Orders part of the Utah Code (Utah Code 78B-7-601 and following). You seek one when a spouse, former spouse, dating or household partner, co-parent, or relative has committed or threatened domestic violence or abuse. You file a Request for Cohabitant Abuse Protective Order in the district court in the county where you live, where the other person lives, or where the abuse happened. There is no filing fee and no charge for service (Utah Code 78B-7-105). A judge can, without notice, immediately issue an ex parte protective order the same day based on your written request (Utah Code 78B-7-603), and the court then sets a hearing within 21 days (Utah Code 78B-7-604). Every Utah protective order is split into two portions, criminal provisions and civil provisions (Utah Code 78B-7-603). The civil provisions expire 150 days after entry unless the court extends them for good cause, and the whole order automatically expires three years after entry unless you ask to extend it first (Utah Code 78B-7-606). The criminal provisions cannot be vacated within two years unless you personally consent. 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 a protective order in Utah?
File a Request for Cohabitant Abuse Protective Order in the district court in the county where you or the other person lives, or where the abuse happened. There is no filing fee (Utah Code 78B-7-105). A judge can immediately issue an ex parte order the same day, and the court sets a hearing within 21 days.
How long does it take to get a protective order in Utah?
A judge reviews your request, usually the same day you file, and can immediately issue an ex parte cohabitant abuse protective order without notice to the other person if it appears abuse has occurred (Utah Code 78B-7-603). That temporary order takes effect once signed and lasts until your hearing, set within 21 days (Utah Code 78B-7-604).
How long does a protective order last in Utah?
Utah splits the order into criminal and civil portions. The civil provisions expire 150 days after entry unless the court extends them for good cause, and the whole order automatically expires three years after entry unless you move to extend it first (Utah Code 78B-7-606). The criminal provisions cannot be vacated within two years unless you consent.
Which court handles protective orders in Utah?
You file in the district court, in the county where you live, where the person you want protection from lives, or where the abuse occurred. The Utah Courts self-help resources and the MyPaperwork tool provide the forms and step-by-step guidance for asking for a cohabitant abuse protective order without a lawyer.
Utah protective order law at a glance
In Utah, a cohabitant abuse protective order protects you from abuse or domestic violence by a spouse, partner, household member, co-parent, or relative, under the Cohabitant Abuse Protective Orders part of the Utah Code (Utah Code 78B-7-601 and following). You ask for one by filing a Request for Cohabitant Abuse Protective Order in the district court, and there is no filing fee or charge for service (Utah Code 78B-7-105). A judge can immediately issue an ex parte order the same day, without notice to the other person, if your request shows abuse (Utah Code 78B-7-603), and the court sets a hearing within 21 days (Utah Code 78B-7-604). Every order has two portions, criminal and civil. The civil provisions expire 150 days after entry unless extended for good cause, and the whole order expires three years after entry unless you extend it (Utah Code 78B-7-606).
Getting a Utah protective order after threats from a former partner
Suppose a former partner you lived with in Utah keeps showing up at your home and sending threatening messages. Using the Utah Courts MyPaperwork tool, you complete a Request for Cohabitant Abuse Protective Order describing the threats with dates and file it in the district court at no cost (Utah Code 78B-7-105). The same day, a judge reviews your request and immediately issues an ex parte order because it appears abuse occurred (Utah Code 78B-7-603), setting a hearing within 21 days (Utah Code 78B-7-604). The county sheriff serves your ex for free. At the hearing you show the messages and testify, and the court issues a full order with criminal and civil provisions. You calendar the 150-day civil expiration and the three-year order expiration to extend before they lapse (Utah Code 78B-7-606). Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Utah Code 78B-7-603 (ex parte order, criminal and civil portions)
Authorizes a court to immediately issue, without notice, an ex parte cohabitant abuse protective order when it appears domestic violence or abuse has occurred, splits every order into criminal and civil portions, and bars vacating the criminal provisions within two years of issuance unless the petitioner personally consents.
Utah Code 78B-7-604 (hearings and ex parte duration)
Requires the court to set a hearing on the petition within 21 days after it issues an ex parte order, keeps the ex parte order in effect until service is completed, and provides that an order issued after notice and a hearing is effective until further order of the court.
Utah Code 78B-7-606 (expiration and extension)
Provides that the civil provisions of a cohabitant abuse protective order expire 150 days after entry unless the court finds good cause to extend them, and that the whole order automatically expires three years after entry unless the petitioner moves to extend it before it expires.
Utah Code 78B-7-105 (no filing fee)
Provides that a court clerk, constable, or law enforcement agency may not impose a charge for filing the petition, obtaining an ex parte order, obtaining copies needed for service, or for serving the petition or order, and requires the clerk to provide forms and clerical assistance.
Regional Variances
Utah protective order rules at a glance
Order name
Cohabitant Abuse Protective Order, issued under Utah Code 78B-7-601 and following. Utah also offers a separate dating violence protective order and a civil stalking injunction for abusers who are not cohabitants.
Where to file
The district court, in the county where you live, where the person you want protection from lives, or where the abuse occurred. There is no filing fee (Utah Code 78B-7-105).
Emergency and temporary orders
A judge can, without notice, immediately issue an ex parte order the same day you file (Utah Code 78B-7-603). It lasts until your hearing, which the court sets within 21 days (Utah Code 78B-7-604).
Final order duration
Every order has criminal and civil portions. The civil provisions expire 150 days after entry unless extended for good cause, and the whole order expires three years after entry unless you extend it (Utah Code 78B-7-606).
Main form
A Request for Cohabitant Abuse Protective Order, prepared through the Utah Courts MyPaperwork tool and filed online through MyCourtCase, in person, by email, or by mail.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Prepare your Request for Cohabitant Abuse Protective Order
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingUse the Utah Courts MyPaperwork tool to complete a Request for Cohabitant Abuse Protective Order, describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates. The tool prepares the related forms at no charge. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File your request with the district court
Same day you finish the forms days after startingFile in the district court in the county where you live, where the other person lives, or where the abuse occurred. You can file online through MyCourtCase, in person, by email, or by mail. There is no filing fee (Utah Code 78B-7-105).
Get and carry the ex parte protective order
Same day the judge signs it days after startingIf the judge issues an ex parte order (Utah Code 78B-7-603), get the signed copy and keep it with you. It lasts until your hearing, which the court sets within 21 days (Utah Code 78B-7-604). Note your hearing date.
Arrange service on the other person
Before the hearing days after startingThe county sheriff serves the respondent at no charge (Utah Code 78B-7-105). Service is required before the court can issue a full order, and the ex parte order stays in effect until service is completed (Utah Code 78B-7-604).
Attend the hearing with your evidence
Within 21 days of the ex parte order days after startingGo to the hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify. The court decides whether to issue a full cohabitant abuse protective order (Utah Code 78B-7-603). If you miss the hearing, your ex parte order can expire.
Track the expiration dates and extend if needed
Before the civil (150-day) or order (3-year) expiration days after startingCalendar the 150-day civil expiration and the three-year order expiration (Utah Code 78B-7-606). File a motion to extend before either lapses, showing a current reasonable fear of harm or a later violation by the respondent.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prepare your Request for Cohabitant Abuse Protective Order | Use the Utah Courts MyPaperwork tool to complete a Request for Cohabitant Abuse Protective Order, describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates. The tool prepares the related forms at no charge. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as possible after the abuse |
| File your request with the district court | File in the district court in the county where you live, where the other person lives, or where the abuse occurred. You can file online through MyCourtCase, in person, by email, or by mail. There is no filing fee (Utah Code 78B-7-105). | - | Same day you finish the forms |
| Get and carry the ex parte protective order | If the judge issues an ex parte order (Utah Code 78B-7-603), get the signed copy and keep it with you. It lasts until your hearing, which the court sets within 21 days (Utah Code 78B-7-604). Note your hearing date. | - | Same day the judge signs it |
| Arrange service on the other person | The county sheriff serves the respondent at no charge (Utah Code 78B-7-105). Service is required before the court can issue a full order, and the ex parte order stays in effect until service is completed (Utah Code 78B-7-604). | - | Before the hearing |
| Attend the hearing with your evidence | Go to the hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify. The court decides whether to issue a full cohabitant abuse protective order (Utah Code 78B-7-603). If you miss the hearing, your ex parte order can expire. | - | Within 21 days of the ex parte order |
| Track the expiration dates and extend if needed | Calendar the 150-day civil expiration and the three-year order expiration (Utah Code 78B-7-606). File a motion to extend before either lapses, showing a current reasonable fear of harm or a later violation by the respondent. | - | Before the civil (150-day) or order (3-year) expiration |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Utah law bars any charge for a protective order. Utah Code 78B-7-105 states a court clerk, constable, or law enforcement agency may not impose a charge for filing the petition, obtaining an ex parte order, obtaining copies needed for service, or for service itself. The Utah Courts confirm there is no filing fee.
You can file if the abuser is a cohabitant, which Utah defines as a current or former spouse, someone you live or lived with, someone you share a child with, a person you had a consensual sexual relationship with, or a close relative (Utah Code 78B-7-102). For a dating partner, Utah offers a separate dating violence protective order.
The court sets a hearing within 21 days after issuing the ex parte order (Utah Code 78B-7-604). Both sides can attend, present evidence, and testify. The court can issue a full cohabitant abuse protective order whether or not the respondent appears, granting relief such as no contact and stay-away terms (Utah Code 78B-7-603).
An ex parte cohabitant abuse protective order is issued the same day without notice to the other person, based only on your written request (Utah Code 78B-7-603). It lasts until your hearing. A final order is issued after that hearing, where both sides can appear, and is effective until further order of the court (Utah Code 78B-7-604).
Yes. The civil provisions expire 150 days after entry unless the court extends them for good cause, and the whole order expires three years after entry (Utah Code 78B-7-606). Before it expires, you can file a motion to extend it by showing a current reasonable fear of harm or a later violation by the respondent.
Violating the criminal provisions of a cohabitant abuse protective order is a crime in Utah (Utah Code 78B-7-607). 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 and report every violation to law enforcement.
No. Utah courts are set up for people to request protective orders on their own. The court clerk must provide the forms and clerical help at no charge (Utah Code 78B-7-105), and the MyPaperwork tool guides you through the request. Legal help can be useful if the case is contested.
Besides a cohabitant abuse protective order, Utah offers a dating violence protective order for abuse by a dating partner and a civil stalking injunction for repeated stalking by anyone, including someone you are not related to. The Utah Courts self-help pages explain which order fits your situation and provide the forms.
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