Pennsylvania Domestic Violence and Protective Order Resources

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Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania documents and self-help resources are below.

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

Official Pennsylvania protection resources

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Pennsylvania family law forms (official index) (Pennsylvania judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Pennsylvania family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.pacourts.us/forms/for-the-public

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

PA Courts of Common Pleas by county (Pennsylvania judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your area, with locations and contact details. https://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas

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

Verified official Pennsylvania protection documents

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

Petition for Protection from Abuse (Domestic Violence), official document: https://www.pacourts.us/Storage/media/pdfs/20210224/223233-petitionforprotectionfromabuse-007702.pdf

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 Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.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