Restraining Orders

You will need to file the forms in the county courthouse – you can choose to file either where you live, or where you have fled to escape the abuse.¹ Check our Kentucky Courthouse Locations page to find contact information for the courthouse in your area. You can also find links to online forms on our Kentucky Download Court Forms page.

If you need to file outside of normal business hours, contact your local police or a domestic violence agency near you to find out what to do. In Kentucky, the law provides 24-hour access to protective orders in every county. If you are at a domestic violence shelter, they might be able to file the petition electronically on your behalf.²

Even during regular business hours, most domestic violence organizations and shelters can provide support for you while you fill out these papers and go to court. Go to our Kentucky Advocates and Shelters page for contact information.

If you or your child are in immediate danger and you need protection right away, be sure to tell the clerk that you want an emergency protective order (EPO). An EPO is temporary, but if you qualify for one it can go into effect right away so that you’re protected before the abuser finds out about the case.

¹ Ky. Rev. Stat. § 403.725(2)
² Ky. Rev. Stat. § 403.725(6)(b), (6)(d)