Recently updated on April 20th, 2026 at 11:52 am
Prepare your Court Forms Online for Restraining Orders in Pennsylvania
This website helps victims learn about the types and then create official court forms required for getting a restraining order in Pennsylvania.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Take Screening
Start with an online screening tool to help you decide which restraining order fits your situation the best.
2. Prepare Documents
Instead of looking at the legal forms themselves, you will be guided thorough a series of detailed questionnaires. These will gather the necessary information topic by topic. The questions are in plain and non-legal language. To make this process as simple as possible, our system will then generate the official court forms with your responses printed on them.
3. Consult Advocate (Optional)
You can consult a victim advocate or pro bono (free) lawyer to get guidance on restraining orders. These resources are paid for typically by government and can help you review your case documents, and talk to you directly to discuss your case and safety planning.
4. File with the Clerk
You can formally begin the case by filing with your local court. You will be informed about which specific court you need to file at as its important to go to one that has jurisdiction over your case. You can file by either printing and visiting the clerk's office at the court or in many locations online directly from this website.
TYPES OF PROTECTION ORDERS
Protection from Abuse
A Protection From Abuse (PFA) order in Pennsylvania is available to victims of domestic violence by a family member, current or former spouse, or intimate partner. A PFA can prohibit the abuser from contacting, harassing, abusing, stalking, or communicating with the victim, and may also include stay-away provisions requiring the abuser to remain a certain distance from the victim, their home, workplace, or other locations. (Title 23, Chapter 61, Section 6101 et seq)
Sexual Violence Protection Order
A Sexual Violence Protection Order (SVPO) in Pennsylvania is a civil restraining order that protects victims of sexual violence from further harm by an offender who is not a family or household member or an intimate partner. An SVPO can be filed independently of any criminal case and does not require criminal charges to be filed. (Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 42, Chapter 62A, Section 62A01 et seq)
More details coming soon
Protection From Intimidation
A Protection From Intimidation (PFI) in Pennsylvania allows a parent or legal guardian to file on behalf of a minor victim of harassment or stalking by an individual who is not a family member or intimate partner. PFIs may be granted whether the defendant is a minor or an adult. However, PFIs are not available for cases involving two adults or where a minor is alleged to have harassed or stalked an adult. (Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 42, Chapter 62A, Section 62A01 et seq.)
More details coming soon
CIVIL
Small Claims
This is for individuals or businesses in Pennsylvania who need to resolve a dispute involving $12,000 or less, such as unpaid debts, property damage, landlord-tenant issues, or contract disagreements, and it helps by providing a simple, affordable, and informal court process where both sides can present their case without requiring a lawyer, with legal options available to enforce payment if a judgment is awarded.
CONVENIENCES
Privacy
You can explore legal options for getting a protection order while maintaining your complete privacy. Nothing is shared with the government unless you share or submit.
Resources
Learn about free community and pro bono resources. Connect with them and share your case data with a few clicks.
Comprehensive
Covers all common situations such as those involving minors, or firearms, or others permitted by the Pennsylvania State law, thereby saving you time.
Forms Selection
Correct form, and the most updated versions are automatically selected based on your situation.
Automated Checks
Run automated checks to verify correctness of your responses and to avoid mistakes that may cause delays in securing a protection order.
Simplified
All questions are presented in plain non-legal language. Difficult concepts are broken down into simpler steps.
NOTES
Legal Information
The legal information contained here does not constitute legal advice or substitute for legal advice.
Courts
This website provides services to prepare cases across Pennsylvania i.e. across all counties as they share the same state-wide law. It also has county specific slight changes such as additional court forms required.
CONTACT TECHNICAL SUPPORT
This contact form is for technical support questions only. For non-technical questions please contact the victim advocates at the telephone numbers listed at the bottom of this page.
