Maine Domestic Violence and Protective Order Resources

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Maine courts can order protection for someone facing violence or credible threats. The order goes by different names in different states, including protective order, order of protection, restraining order, and injunction for protection.

These filings are built to move fast, and clerks are generally set up to help with the paperwork. Filing fees for protection cases are commonly waived. The official Maine documents and self-help resources are below.

If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911 first. Court paperwork comes after safety.

Official Maine protection resources

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Maine family law forms (official index) (Maine judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Maine family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.courts.maine.gov/fees_forms/forms

Maine court self-help resources (Maine courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Maine family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.courts.maine.gov/self-help

Find a Maine court (by town or county) (Maine judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your area, with locations and contact details. https://www.courts.maine.gov/courts/find-a-court.html

Maine state courts website (Maine judicial branch): The official home of the Maine court system, with statewide rules, news, and links to every court. https://www.courts.maine.gov

Verified official Maine protection documents

These official documents are the petitions and related paperwork Maine publishes for protection cases.

Complaint for Protection from Abuse (PA-001), form PA-001 (Domestic Violence), official document: https://mjbportal.courts.maine.gov/CourtForms/FormsLists/DownloadForm?strFormNumber=PA-001

Official link data for Maine was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

Does it cost anything to ask for protection?

Protection filings are commonly free, and clerk staff are generally expected to help with the forms. Confirm with your Maine clerk, since the rules are set by state law.

How fast can protection happen?

Courts normally review these filings quickly and can put a temporary order in place before any full hearing. A hearing on a longer order is then scheduled. Ask the clerk how it is handled where you file.