North Carolina Domestic Violence and Protective Order Resources

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North Carolina 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 North Carolina documents and self-help resources are below.

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

Official North Carolina protection resources

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

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

Find your local NC court (North Carolina judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your area, with locations and contact details. https://www.nccourts.gov/locations

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

Verified official North Carolina protection documents

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

Complaint and Motion for Domestic Violence Protective Order (AOC-CV-303), form AOC-CV-303 (Domestic Violence), official document: https://www.nccourts.gov/assets/documents/forms/cv303-2-en.pdf

Ex Parte Domestic Violence Order of Protection (AOC-CV-304), form AOC-CV-304 (Domestic Violence), official document: https://www.nccourts.gov/assets/documents/forms/cv-304.pdf

Official link data for North Carolina 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 Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.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 North Carolina 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.