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EspañolWho is eligible for a protective order against an act of violence, force, or threat? In which court is it filed?
You may be eligible to file a petition for a protective order against anyone who committed an act of violence, force, or threat against you. You do not have to have a family or household member relationship to get this protective order.1
If you are filing against someone with whom you do not have a family or household member relationship, you would file your petition in the General District Court.1 If you are filing against a family or household member, you would file in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.2 You can file in the county where:
- you or the abuser live;
- the act of violence, force, or threat happened; or
- a protective order is already in effect to protect you or your family or household member.3
The steps for filing are similar to the steps for filing for a family abuse protective order.
You can find the petition for a protective order and instructions for how to fill it out on Virginia’s Courts Website.
1 See the Virginia Attorney General’s website, Protective Orders: What does the new legislation mean?
2 See the Virginia Courts website, What You Need to Know About Protective Orders
3 Va. Code § 19.2-152.11
Can the abuser find out my address or phone number from the order?
Court officials and police officers are not allowed to tell anyone the residential address, phone number, or place of employment of you or your family members if they are included in the order.1
1 Va. Code §§ 19.2-152.8(H); 19.2-152.9(F); 19.2-152.10(I)
How much does a protective order for an act of violence, force, or threat cost?
Filing for a protective order is free.1
1 Va. Code §§ 19.2-152.8(J); 19.2-152.9(E); 19.2-152.10(I)
