HOW IT WORKS
1. Take Screening
Start with an online screening tool to help you decide which order of protection fits your situation the best.
2. Prepare Documents
Instead of looking at the forms themselves, our system will help you complete your filing documents by having you answer all of the necessary information by topic. We will ask you questions in plain and non-legal language. To make this process as simple as possible, our system will then generate your response anywhere it is needed on the forms.
3. Consult Advocate (Optional)
You can consult an advocate for guidance when filing an Illinois Order of Protection. Advocates can help review your case, explain your legal options, and assist with safety planning. While not required, their support can make the process clearer and less overwhelming.
4. File with the Clerk
To begin the process of obtaining an Illinois Order of Protection, you must file a petition with the Clerk of Court in the county where you or the respondent lives. Filing is free of charge and can usually be done in person at the courthouse or online, depending on the county’s system.
Process
Step 1
You: Gathering Evidence for an Illinois Order of Protection
Your personal testimony is important evidence. But the more supporting materials you can provide, the stronger your petition will be. Illinois courts may consider the following types of evidence in Order of Protection cases:
Evidence Type 1: Police Reports or Criminal Cases
If law enforcement has been called, provide copies of police reports or mention any pending criminal charges. Judges often treat these as strong indicators that abuse, threats, or harassment occurred.
Evidence Type 2: Medical or Counseling Records
Submit medical records, hospital notes, or therapy documentation showing injuries, trauma, or treatment following the abuse. These records demonstrate the physical or emotional harm caused.
Evidence Type 3: Written or Digital Communications
Present threatening or abusive text messages, emails, voicemails, social media posts, or letters. Screenshots and printouts of these communications are typically accepted in court.
Evidence Type 4: Witness Testimony or Affidavits
Friends, neighbors, coworkers, or relatives who saw or heard the abuse—or who observed injuries or distress afterward—can testify or provide written statements to support your petition.
Evidence Type 5: 911 Calls or Emergency Records
Document any calls to 911 or domestic violence hotlines. Include:
The number called (e.g., 911, domestic violence hotline)
The date and time of the call
Who made the call
What was reported
Evidence Type 6: Photographs, Videos, or Physical Evidence
Pictures of injuries, damaged property, or threatening notes/items can strengthen your case by showing the abuse’s impact directly.
Step 2
You: Take Online Screening
Determine if your situation is suitable for applying for an Illinois Order of Protection by taking a short screening. You can begin by entering your ZIP code in the top right corner.
Step 3
You: Create Case Documents - "Packet"
After the screening, this website will guide you through the rest of the steps to creating your case documents.
Just for your knowledge: In order to apply for an Illinois Order of Protection (OOP), you need to complete and submit the official Illinois court forms. These forms ask about your relationship to the other party, the incidents of abuse, and the type of protection you need.
The most important form is the Petition for Order of Protection. In this document, you explain to the court what happened and why you need protection. The petition gives the judge the information needed to decide whether to grant the order.
Step 4
You: File with the Court: How to File an Illinois Order of Protection
Illinois allows you to file a Petition for an Order of Protection in person at the courthouse. While some counties provide online access to forms, the official filing must be submitted to the Clerk of the Court in the county where you live, where the respondent (the person you’re seeking protection from) lives, or where the abuse occurred.
To formally request court protection in a domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or abuse situation, you must complete and submit the Petition for Order of Protection to the Clerk of Court. This process is known as filing.
Filing options in Illinois:
In person: File your petition directly with the Clerk of Court at the courthouse in your county.
Electronically (E-Filing): Illinois uses an electronic filing system (eFileIL). In some counties, you may be required to use it unless you qualify for an exemption. If you file electronically after business hours, your petition is considered filed on the next business day.
Order of Protection cases are filed in the Circuit Court of your county. Once your petition is accepted, the court will assign a case number, which is used to track and manage your case.
Step 5
Judge Issues a Temporary Order
Based on the information and evidence you provide, a judge in Illinois may issue a Temporary Order of Protection (OOP) the same day you file your petition. This is also called an ex parte order, and it is designed to provide immediate safety until a full court hearing can be held.
If the situation seems less urgent or there is limited supporting evidence, the judge may take more time to review your petition before deciding whether to issue a temporary order.
A judge may deny your request for a temporary order if:
There are no legal grounds for an Order of Protection,
The petition is incomplete, or
The court lacks jurisdiction (for example, the respondent does not live in Illinois and the abuse did not happen in Illinois).
Even if a temporary order is denied, the judge may still schedule a court hearing so that both you and the respondent can appear, present your sides of the case, and allow the judge to decide whether to issue a longer-term order.
Step 6
Law Enforcement: Delivers Temporary Order to the Respondent
Once a judge issues a Temporary Order of Protection (OOP), it must be officially delivered (served) to the respondent before it becomes legally enforceable. Until the respondent is served, law enforcement cannot enforce the order.
After the order is served, any violation—such as contacting you, coming near your home, workplace, or school, or making threats—may result in the respondent’s arrest and possible criminal charges.
Step 7
You, Respondent: Attend Court Hearing
After a Temporary Order of Protection (OOP) is issued and served, the court will schedule a full hearing, usually within 14 to 21 days. At this hearing, both you (the petitioner) and the respondent may attend, present evidence, and give testimony.
The judge will review:
Evidence from both sides
Witness testimony
Any new incidents since the temporary order was issued
If the judge finds enough proof of abuse, harassment, intimidation, or threats—and an ongoing need for protection—a Plenary Order of Protection will be issued.
This final order may:
Be valid for a set period (commonly up to two years), or
Remain in effect indefinitely, depending on the case and the judge’s findings
If you (the petitioner) do not attend the hearing, your case may be dismissed. If the respondent does not attend, the judge may still issue the final order without their input.
Step 8
You: Collect the Final Order of Protection
If the judge issues a Plenary Order of Protection after the hearing, you will be provided with an official, signed copy of the order. Be sure to collect a paper copy from the Clerk’s Office before leaving the courthouse.
The order will specify:
The protections granted to you
Any restrictions placed on the respondent
The duration of the order (for a set period, often up to two years, or sometimes indefinite)
Keep this copy in a safe but easily accessible place. You may need to show it to law enforcement, your workplace, your school, or other institutions as part of your safety plan.
FAQs
Court Forms Created This website guides you through all the topics required to complete your Order of Protection documents and file your case.
Core Forms
- Petition For Order of Protection
- Summons Protective Order
- Emergency Order of Protection
- Order of Protection
- Confidential Name School and Daycare
- Affidavit of Visitation Superior