Overview

The Cost of a Stalking Protective Order in Alaska is a topic of practical importance for victims seeking safety while managing financial constraints.
Fortunately, Alaska law ensures that filing for a protective order—whether for stalking, sexual assault, or harassment—remains completely free of charge.
Under Alaska Statute § 18.65.850, all forms, filings, and services related to protective orders are exempt from court costs.
No petitioner should have to choose between safety and affordability.
This article breaks down every financial aspect: what the court and state provide at no charge, which optional steps might carry incidental costs, and how victims can access free legal or logistical support through Alaska’s network of advocates.

We also examine “cost” in a broader sense—time investment, emotional labor, and preparation effort.
While the petition and service are free, obtaining a protective order still requires organization, documentation, and court attendance.
By understanding these dimensions, petitioners can plan effectively and minimize stress during what is often a vulnerable moment.

Who Can Apply

Any individual who has experienced stalking as defined in
AS 11.41.270
may apply for a protective order without paying any filing or service fee.
This includes adults, minors (through parents or guardians), and incapacitated individuals (through appointed representatives).
Eligibility does not depend on income, citizenship, or residency; what matters is that at least one incident occurred within Alaska.
Even nonresidents temporarily present in Alaska—such as seasonal workers or university students—may file if they are being stalked while in-state.
Petitioners complete Form CIV-752 (“Petition for Stalking Protective Order”) and, if needed, may request immediate ex parte protection.

Because all costs are waived, individuals can file directly with the clerk of court or through law enforcement or advocacy partners.
The Alaska Court System’s policy ensures that economic hardship never becomes a barrier to safety.
If the victim later needs copies, extensions, or certified enforcement documents, those too are issued free of charge.

Benefits of a Cost-Free Process

• Accessible justice: Victims can obtain protection without worrying about court fees or attorney retainers.
• State-funded enforcement: Law enforcement service is handled at no charge statewide.
• Free certified copies: Petitioners may request multiple certified copies for police, employers, or schools.
• No attorney requirement: Petitioners may represent themselves or obtain free legal assistance through Alaska Legal Services Corporation.
• Equality across income levels: Wealth does not determine access to safety under Alaska law.

In addition, many advocacy centers provide transportation assistance, emotional support, and safety planning at no cost.
Victims are also eligible to apply for reimbursement of lost wages, relocation expenses, and counseling costs through the
Alaska Violent Crimes Compensation Board.

Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding and Managing Costs

Step 1: Understand That Filing and Service Are Free

Filing a stalking protective order in Alaska is completely free.
There is no fee for submitting Form CIV-752 or any supporting documents.
Similarly, service of process—the step where police or troopers deliver the order to the respondent—is conducted at no cost.
This policy is mandated by the Alaska Legislature to remove all financial barriers for victims of stalking and sexual assault.
Courts cannot charge for these filings, and no attorney is required.
You can file directly at any district or superior court during regular hours, and clerks are trained to provide procedural guidance (but not legal advice) at no charge.

Even additional steps such as notarization, certified copies, or law-enforcement transmission are free.
Alaska’s public-safety infrastructure is designed so that protective orders can be obtained quickly and universally, regardless of income.
This principle was reaffirmed in statewide administrative orders that ensure victims are not billed for court documents, postage, or enforcement efforts tied to stalking protective orders.

Step 2: Identify Potential Incidental Costs Outside the Court Process

While the filing and service themselves are free, certain practical tasks may involve minor incidental expenses.
These are not required by the court but may arise in preparing your petition or attending the hearing.
Examples include printing exhibits, transportation to the courthouse, and optional copies for personal records.
If you live in a remote community, travel to a regional court may require airfare or fuel.
Many organizations—including the Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC), local domestic-violence shelters, and the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (ANDVSA)—offer assistance with these costs.
They may provide gas vouchers, virtual filing options, or remote testimony to eliminate the need for in-person travel.

If you are employed, taking time off for filing or hearing attendance may temporarily affect income.
However, you can apply for reimbursement through the Alaska Violent Crimes Compensation Program, which recognizes stalking as a qualifying event.
That program can also cover relocation, lost wages, or replacement of security equipment if damaged during stalking incidents.
These benefits ensure victims do not bear the financial consequences of seeking legal safety.

Step 3: Gather Free Legal and Advocacy Assistance

Free legal aid is available statewide for stalking-order petitioners.
The Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) provides free attorneys or paralegals who can review your forms, explain the process, and even represent you at the hearing if capacity allows.
You can contact ALSC through their toll-free helpline or online intake portal.
Similarly, local advocacy centers—such as Standing Together Against Rape (STAR) in Anchorage and Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies (AWARE) in Juneau—offer free guidance and emotional support.
These organizations do not charge for any of their services.

Advocates can also help you complete the petition if reading or writing is difficult, ensure your contact information remains confidential, and accompany you to court.
Many also provide safe housing or transportation at no cost.
Because the process is intentionally designed to be accessible, you can complete the entire filing without spending a dollar.
Combining court-based assistance with community advocacy ensures that your safety plan is comprehensive and cost-free.

Step 4: Use Remote and Electronic Filing to Avoid Travel Costs

To reduce travel costs, Alaska courts increasingly allow fax, mail, or electronic submission of protective-order petitions.
You can contact your nearest courthouse to confirm available filing options.
Many rural communities can transmit documents through local trooper posts or tribal courts that forward paperwork electronically to state courts.
If your petition is urgent, clerks may arrange telephonic review by an on-call judge.
This modernization ensures even remote petitioners do not need to spend money on transportation.

If internet access is limited, libraries and community resource centers often provide free fax and scanning services for court documents.
Be sure to confirm that these centers maintain privacy protections before transmitting sensitive materials.
Courts do not require you to appear in person for initial filing unless a hearing is scheduled.
Using remote channels preserves both time and financial resources while maintaining equal access to justice.

Step 5: Attend the Hearing Without Financial Burden

There are no costs associated with attending the hearing itself.
Petitioners do not pay any filing or administrative fees to appear.
If you require remote appearance (by phone or Zoom), most courts will accommodate at no cost—simply notify the clerk in advance.
If you miss work due to attending the hearing, advocacy organizations can help you apply for wage reimbursement through Alaska’s Victims Compensation Board.
You do not need to hire an attorney, though legal-aid advocates may appear with you for free.

In some cases, petitioners worry about travel or lodging expenses if the hearing occurs in a different town.
Notify the court clerk and ask whether telephonic participation is permitted; judges frequently allow remote testimony for protective-order matters.
You will not be penalized or charged for requesting this accommodation.
Ultimately, every procedural element—from petition to judgment—is intentionally structured to remain financially neutral for victims.

Step 6: Obtain Certified Copies for Free

After the court grants a stalking protective order, you will receive certified copies at no charge.
Certification ensures your copies are legally valid for use with police, employers, or schools.
Alaska’s court policy explicitly waives certification and duplication fees for victims of stalking, domestic violence, or sexual assault.
You can request multiple certified copies—one to keep with you, another for your workplace, and one for law enforcement.
If you later misplace your copy, the clerk will reissue additional certified versions for free.
These copies are crucial because law enforcement can only act upon a verifiable version of the court order.

Some petitioners choose to store digital scans for quick access; however, a printed certified copy remains the official version recognized under AS 11.56.740 (violation of protective order).
Keep these in a secure place, and avoid sharing them publicly.
If you relocate to another jurisdiction, you may present a certified copy to local law enforcement for registration under the federal Full Faith and Credit clause (18 U.S.C. § 2265).
This ensures nationwide enforceability without new fees or filings.

Step 7: Renew or Modify Orders Without Cost

When your order nears expiration—typically one year from issuance—you may file a renewal using the same CIV-752 form or a brief written motion.
Renewal and modification filings are entirely free.
You must demonstrate continued fear or new incidents of stalking to justify the extension.
No filing fee applies, and service upon the respondent remains cost-free.
The judge may extend the order for an additional year or longer, depending on circumstances.
If the respondent violates the order again, you may request immediate ex parte renewal without paying anything.

Similarly, if you need to modify the order—for instance, to update addresses, adjust no-contact distances, or include electronic harassment provisions—you can file a modification request at no cost.
The court encourages ongoing updates to ensure safety, and clerks process these motions promptly without assessing fees.
Alaska’s access-to-justice principle ensures that maintaining or updating a protective order never carries financial penalties.

Step 8: Use Victim Compensation for Related Expenses

While the protective-order process itself costs nothing, victims often face ancillary financial effects—relocation, therapy, property damage, or loss of income.
The Alaska Violent Crimes Compensation Board covers these expenses.
Once your protective order is issued, you can apply online or through an advocate.
Eligible reimbursements include lost wages for court attendance, mental-health counseling, security system installation, and transportation to safe housing.
There is no application fee.
Decisions typically arrive within 45 days, and payments are made directly to service providers when possible.

Victim-compensation benefits are separate from the court process and do not affect your protective order’s validity.
Advocates can help complete the paperwork and ensure supporting documentation is attached.
This resource reinforces Alaska’s commitment that financial hardship should never prevent victims from securing safety or recovery.

Step 9: Keep Communication Records Without Paying for Access

Maintaining detailed communication and violation records is crucial for enforcing a stalking protective order, but it need not be costly.
Use free digital tools such as screenshots, timestamps, or PDF exports of text messages and emails.
Courts accept printed screenshots and sworn statements—no notarization or paid transcription service is required.
If you need to preserve voicemail or video evidence, most phones allow free cloud backups.
For individuals without printers, local advocacy offices or libraries often print exhibits for free under grant programs.
Proper record-keeping strengthens your ability to prove violations and renew orders without incurring any fees.

Remember that Alaska’s courts emphasize accessibility: you do not need professional evidence collection or paid private investigators.
Your firsthand documentation, photographs, and clear written accounts suffice for judicial consideration.
This approach minimizes costs while maximizing evidentiary impact.

Step 10: Access Enforcement Support and Law-Enforcement Coordination for Free

Law enforcement plays a central role in executing and enforcing stalking protective orders—and all such services are provided at no charge.
Police and troopers deliver the order to the respondent, confirm compliance, and respond to violations.
You may call local law enforcement anytime you suspect the order has been violated.
Officers can verify the active status of your order through the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) and arrest violators without a warrant.
There is no cost for these responses, documentation, or follow-up investigations.

If you relocate to another Alaska community, your order remains valid statewide and automatically visible to all law-enforcement agencies.
No registration or transfer fee is required.
You can request officers to perform welfare checks or accompany you to collect belongings under court supervision—all at no charge.
The goal is clear: protection should never depend on payment.

Overall Costs

In summary, there are no direct costs for filing, serving, enforcing, renewing, or modifying a stalking protective order in Alaska.
Incidental costs—printing, travel, or lost wages—can often be eliminated through advocacy support or state victim-compensation funds.
Petitioners should budget primarily for their time and organization, not for money.
Alaska’s judiciary, law enforcement, and advocacy networks collaborate to make this process universally accessible.

Time Required

An ex parte order can be granted the same day the petition is filed, and a long-term hearing is held within twenty days.
Certified copies are typically issued within hours of approval.
Renewals or modifications can be processed within a few days.
Overall, the timeline for securing complete, cost-free protection averages two to three weeks from start to finish.

Limitations

While financial barriers are eliminated, logistical limitations may persist.
Rural petitioners might face travel challenges, limited internet access, or delays in service.
The order’s power depends on effective service and enforcement rather than financial capacity.
Petitioners should stay proactive—confirm service, keep records, and renew on time.
No-cost accessibility does not mean effortless enforcement; cooperation with courts and police remains essential.

Risks and Unexpected Problems

Though the process is cost-free, petitioners may encounter emotional fatigue, logistical stress, or intimidation from respondents.
Retaliation attempts—especially digital harassment—can continue even after service.
These are not monetary risks but practical ones.
Mitigate them through consistent communication with advocates, maintaining evidence, and promptly reporting violations.
If financial strain arises from relocation or lost income, victim-compensation benefits can offset those effects.

Sources (Official)

• Alaska Court System — Forms Index (CIV-751 & CIV-752)
• CIV-751 Instructions for Requesting a Protective Order Against Stalking or Sexual Assault (PDF)
• CIV-752 Petition for Stalking Protective Order (PDF)
• AS 18.65.850 — Protective Orders for Stalking
• AS 11.41.270 — Stalking Definition
• AS 11.56.740 — Violating a Protective Order
• Alaska Violent Crimes Compensation Board
• Alaska Court System — Self-Help: Domestic Violence, Stalking, or Sexual Assault