Arizona
Arizona Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Protective Order
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited August 17, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of August 17, 2026. · 4 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
In Arizona, an Order of Protection is the primary civil court tool for victims in qualifying domestic relationships; a final order lasts two years from the date of service on the respondent. Victims outside those relationships can seek an Injunction Against Harassment with no relationship required.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential help 24/7, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (text START to 88788).
Types of restraining orders in Arizona
Arizona runs two civil protective order tracks. The first is the Order of Protection, governed by A.R.S. 13-3602, which is available to people in qualifying domestic relationships as defined under A.R.S. 13-3601. This order can require the respondent to stop all contact, vacate a shared home, and stay away from the petitioner's home, workplace, or school.
The second track is the Injunction Against Harassment, governed by A.R.S. 12-1809, which is available to anyone who has been subjected to a series of acts of harassment. No prior or current relationship with the respondent is required. Arizona also provides an Injunction Against Workplace Harassment, which employers can seek on behalf of employees who face harassment at a worksite. Each order type is a separate petition filed with the appropriate court.
Who can get a restraining order in Arizona?
To qualify for an Order of Protection in Arizona, the petitioner must share a qualifying domestic relationship with the respondent as defined in A.R.S. 13-3601. Those qualifying relationships are:
- Current or former spouse
- Persons residing or who have resided in the same household
- Persons who share a child in common
- A victim who is pregnant by the other party
- Persons related by blood or by court-ordered legal relationship
- Persons who are currently, or were previously, in a romantic or sexual relationship with the respondent (courts weigh factors such as the type and length of the relationship, frequency of interaction, and time since it ended, with no fixed cutoff)
Victims who do not fall into any of those categories are not left without options. The Injunction Against Harassment requires no domestic relationship and covers a pattern of harassing conduct directed at any person. A parent or legal guardian may file on behalf of a minor child.
How to file for a restraining order in Arizona
In Arizona, you can file for an Order of Protection at any court in the state, including justice courts, municipal courts, and the superior court. If there is already a family law or divorce case pending between the parties, the superior court has exclusive jurisdiction over the protective order.
Filing is free, and the rule comes from Arizona's own protective order statute. A.R.S. 13-3602(D) provides that "a fee shall not be charged for filing a petition under this section or for service of process," so an Order of Protection costs the petitioner nothing to file or to have served.
The rule is narrower for an Injunction Against Harassment. A.R.S. 12-1809(D) bars a filing fee for that petition too, but service-of-process fees are only deferred or waived under the rules that apply to ordinary civil actions, except where the petition arises out of sexual violence, in which case service fees may not be charged at all. Federal law works on this indirectly rather than directly: 34 U.S.C. 10450, added through the Violence Against Women Act, says a state is not entitled to funds under that grant program unless it certifies that its laws do not make a victim bear the costs of filing or serving a protection order. That is a condition on federal money paid to the state, not a prohibition a judge applies in your case.
To start the process, you complete a written petition explaining the relationship and the specific conduct you are asking the court to address. Court self-help centers at each superior court location can assist you in completing the forms, and local domestic-violence advocates can accompany you to court and help you prepare your petition at no charge.
Once filed, the court reviews the petition and, if reasonable cause is shown, issues the Order of Protection the same day without the respondent being present. The order becomes effective only after it is served on the respondent; if service is not completed within one year of issuance, the order expires.
Temporary vs. final orders: how long they last
An Arizona Order of Protection works in two phases. The court first issues an ex parte temporary order the same day you file, based on your petition alone, without notifying the respondent in advance. That order is fully enforceable once the respondent is served.
| Phase | How it works | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ex parte temporary order | Issued same day; respondent not present | Effective upon service; expires if not served within 1 year of issuance |
| Final order (after hearing) | Respondent may request one hearing at any time while the order is in effect; the court must hold it within 10 days of the request, or within 5 days if exclusive use of the home was awarded | 2 years from date of service on respondent |
At any time while the order is in effect, the respondent has the right to request one hearing to contest the order; the court must hold that hearing within 10 days of the request unless it finds good cause to continue it. Where the order awarded exclusive use of the home, A.R.S. 13-3602(L) shortens that deadline: the hearing "shall be held within five days from the date requested." If they do not request a hearing, the order remains in place through the full two-year term. If a hearing is held and the court affirms the order, it still expires on the original two-year date. Modifications granted during the two-year period also expire on that same date. If the respondent does request that hearing, it can come within days, so have an Arizona family lawyer help you prepare to keep the order in place, starting with a free case evaluation (attorney advertising).
Firearms and an Arizona protective order
When the court finds that the respondent poses a credible threat to the physical safety of the petitioner or a household member, A.R.S. 13-3602 authorizes the court to prohibit the respondent from possessing, purchasing, or receiving any firearm for the duration of the order. The respondent is required to transfer all firearms in their possession to a law enforcement agency within 24 hours of being served with the order.
In addition to the state-level firearm rules, a qualifying final Arizona Order of Protection triggers the federal prohibition under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8). Under that federal law, a person who is subject to a qualifying protective order issued after a hearing with notice is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition anywhere in the United States for the duration of the order, regardless of whether the state court itself included a firearm prohibition clause.
What happens if someone violates the order?
Violating an Arizona Order of Protection is a serious criminal offense. Under A.R.S. 13-2810, interfering with a judicial proceeding, which includes violating any court order, is a class 1 misdemeanor. A class 1 misdemeanor in Arizona carries a potential sentence of up to six months in jail and a fine.
A peace officer who has probable cause to believe that a valid Order of Protection has been violated may arrest the respondent without first obtaining an arrest warrant. If the violation involves additional criminal conduct, such as assault or stalking, separate and potentially more serious charges may be filed alongside the order-violation charge.
If the respondent violates the order, call 911 immediately. Keep a record of the violation including the date, time, what happened, and any witnesses. Report the violation to the court and cooperate with law enforcement throughout the process.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and it is not a safety plan. Protective-order rules vary by state and change. If you are in danger, call 911. For help with your specific situation, contact your local court's self-help center, a domestic-violence advocate, or a licensed attorney.
Related
- Restraining Order Laws by State (hub)
- Arizona Recording Laws (documenting harassment and threats)
- Arizona Self-Defense Laws (stand your ground and castle doctrine in Arizona)
More Arizona Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a restraining order in Arizona?
File a petition for an Order of Protection at any Arizona justice court, municipal court, or superior court. If reasonable cause is shown, the court issues the order the same day. There is no filing fee. A court self-help center or local domestic-violence advocate can help you complete the forms.
How long does a restraining order last in Arizona?
An Arizona Order of Protection lasts two years from the date the respondent is served with the order. An Injunction Against Harassment lasts one year from the date of service under A.R.S. 12-1809. Any modifications to either order expire on the original expiration date.
How much does a restraining order cost in Arizona?
Filing for an Order of Protection in Arizona is free. A.R.S. 13-3602(D) provides that no fee may be charged for filing the petition or for service of process. For an Injunction Against Harassment, A.R.S. 12-1809(D) also bars a filing fee, but service fees are only deferred or waived under the ordinary civil rules unless the petition arises out of sexual violence, in which case service is free as well. The federal Violence Against Women Act provision, 34 U.S.C. 10450, is a condition on state grant funding rather than a direct ban on court fees.
Can I get a restraining order without a police report?
Yes. A police report is not required to petition for an Order of Protection in Arizona. You file a written petition with the court describing the relationship and the specific conduct that led to your request. The court decides based on the information you provide.
Does a restraining order take away gun rights in Arizona?
If the court finds a credible threat, it can prohibit the respondent from possessing or purchasing firearms and require surrender to law enforcement within 24 hours. Separately, a qualifying final Order of Protection triggers the federal ban under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8), which applies regardless of whether the state order includes a firearm clause.
What happens if the abuser violates the order?
Violating an Arizona Order of Protection is a class 1 misdemeanor under A.R.S. 13-2810, punishable by up to six months in jail. A peace officer can arrest the respondent without a warrant on probable cause of a violation. Call 911 if the order is violated and report the violation to the issuing court.
What is the difference between an Order of Protection and an Injunction Against Harassment in Arizona?
An Order of Protection requires a qualifying domestic or familial relationship under A.R.S. 13-3601. An Injunction Against Harassment is available to any person who has been subjected to harassment and requires no prior relationship with the respondent. Both are civil court orders, but they are filed under different statutes and have different eligibility rules.
Updates
Corrected the source of Arizona's no-fee rule for protective orders to A.R.S. 13-3602(D), clarified that the federal Violence Against Women Act provision is a grant-funding condition rather than a direct ban on court fees, noted that service fees work differently for an Injunction Against Harassment, and added the five-day hearing deadline that applies when exclusive use of the home was awarded.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Corrected the hearing-request rule (the respondent may request one hearing at any time the order is in effect, and the court must hold it within 10 days) and removed a fabricated two-year cutoff on the former-romantic-relationship eligibility factor, per A.R.S. 13-3602(L) and 13-3601(A)(6).
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Reviewed and approved by an editor
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 13 (Criminal Code), Chapter 36 (FAMILY OFFENSES)
§ 13-3602Order of protection; procedure; contents; arrest for violation; penalty; protection order from another jurisdiction; definitionIn force
A. A person may file a verified petition, as in civil actions, with a magistrate, justice of the peace or superior court judge for an order of protection for the purpose of restraining a person from committing an act included in domestic violence. If the person is a minor, the parent, legal guardian or person who has legal custody of the minor shall file the petition unless the court determines otherwise. The petition shall name the parent, guardian or custodian as the plaintiff and the minor is a specifically designated person for the purposes of subsection G of this section. If a person is either temporarily or permanently unable to request an order, a third party may request an order of protection on behalf of the plaintiff. After the request, the judicial officer shall determine if the third party is an appropriate requesting party for the plaintiff. For the purposes of this section, notwithstanding the location of the plaintiff or defendant, any court in this state may issue or enforce an order of protection. B. An order of protection shall not be granted: 1. Unless the party who requests the order files a written verified petition for an order. 2.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-08 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at azleg.gov
Cited in 88 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Cardoso v. Soldo (Court of Appeals of Arizona 2012, 230 Ariz. 614)“…protection expires one year after service on the defendant. A.R.S. § 13-3602(K). Therefore, the order of protection…”
- Michael M. v. Arizona Department of Economic Security (Court of Appeals of Arizona 2007, 217 Ariz. 230)“…t because Father did not follow the procedures set forth in A.R.S. § 13-3602 (Supp.2006) for contesting an order of…”
- Vera v. Hon rogers/chaidez (Court of Appeals of Arizona 2018, 246 Ariz. 30)“…e orders of protection when a family law action is pending. A.R.S. § 13-3602(P); see also Ariz. R. Protect. Ord. P.…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 13-3601Domestic violence; definition; classification; sentencing option; arrest and procedure for violation; weapon seizureIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
A. "Domestic violence" means any act that is a dangerous crime against children as defined in section 13-705 or an offense prescribed in section 13-1102, 13-1103, 13-1104, 13-1105, 13-1201, 13-1202, 13-1203, 13-1204, 13-1302, 13-1303, 13-1304, 13-1406, 13-1425, 13-1502, 13-1503, 13-1504, 13-1602 or 13-2810, section 13-2904, subsection A, paragraph 1, 2, 3 or 6, section 13-2910, subsection A, paragraph 8 or 9, section 13-2915, subsection A, paragraph 3 or section 13-2916, 13-2921, 13-2921.01, 13-2923, 13-3019, 13-3601.02 or 13-3623, if any of the following applies: 1. The relationship between the victim and the defendant is one of marriage or former marriage or of persons residing or having resided in the same household. 2. The victim and the defendant have a child in common. 3. The victim or the defendant is pregnant by the other party. 4. The victim is related to the defendant or the defendant's spouse by blood or court order as a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother or sister or by marriage as a parent-in-law, grandparent-in-law, stepparent, step-grandparent, stepchild, step-grandchild, brother-in-law or sister-in-law. 5.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-04 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at azleg.gov
Cited in 100 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State Ex Rel. McDougall v. Strohson (Arizona Supreme Court 1997, 190 Ariz. 120)“…d. In accordance with Arizona's domestic violence statutes, A.R.S. §§ 13-3601 and 13-3602, the complaint designated t…”
- State v. Ramsey (Court of Appeals of Arizona 1992, 171 Ariz. 409)“…ion to impose sentence under the domestic violence statute, A.R.S. section 13-3601. The prosecutor did not concur with the…”
- State v. Perez (Court of Appeals of Arizona 1992, 172 Ariz. 290)“…grounds that it is illegal or excessive. Pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-3601(G): If the defendant is found gu…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Arizona's Alec and Lydia Act Adds Coercive Control to Custody Law
Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 12 (Courts and Civil Proceedings), Chapter 10 (MISCELLANEOUS SPECIAL ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS), Article 1 (Injunctions)
§ 12-1809Injunction against harassment; petition; venue; fees; notices; enforcement; definitionIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
A. A person may file a verified petition with a magistrate, justice of the peace or superior court judge for an injunction prohibiting harassment. If the person is a minor, the parent, legal guardian or person who has legal custody of the minor shall file the petition unless the court determines otherwise. The petition shall name the parent, guardian or custodian as the plaintiff, and the minor is a specifically designated person for the purposes of subsection F of this section. If a person is either temporarily or permanently unable to request an injunction, a third party may request an injunction on behalf of the plaintiff. After the request, the judicial officer shall determine if the third party is an appropriate requesting party for the plaintiff. Notwithstanding the location of the plaintiff or defendant, any court in this state may issue or enforce an injunction against harassment. B. An injunction against harassment shall not be granted: 1. Unless the party who requests the injunction files a written verified petition for injunction. 2. Against a person who is less than twelve years of age unless the injunction is granted by the juvenile division of the superior court.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-04 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at azleg.gov
Cited in 37 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- LaFaro v. Cahill (Court of Appeals of Arizona 2002, 203 Ariz. 482)“…hearing on the matter. Judge Hendrix found harassment under A.R.S. § 12-1809 because the comments “made by Mr. Cahil…”
- Kimicata v. McGee (Court of Appeals of Arizona 2012, 230 Ariz. 6)“…a hearing to modify, quash, or continue an injunction under A.R.S. § 12-1809(H). Accordingly, we affirm the award of…”
- Martinez v. Estes (Court of Appeals of Arizona 2024, 557 P.3d 788)“…son to be seriously alarmed, annoyed or harassed” occurred. A.R.S. § 12-1809(T)(1)(a). Because the record does not a…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Arizona GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026)
Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 13 (Criminal Code), Chapter 28 (INTERFERENCE WITH JUDICIAL AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS)
§ 13-2810Interfering with judicial proceedings; classificationIn force
A. A person commits interfering with judicial proceedings if such person knowingly: 1. Engages in disorderly, disrespectful or insolent behavior during the session of a court which directly tends to interrupt its proceedings or impairs the respect due to its authority; or 2. Disobeys or resists the lawful order, process or other mandate of a court; or 3. Refuses to be sworn or affirmed as a witness in any court proceeding; or 4. Publishes a false or grossly inaccurate report of a court proceeding; or 5. Refuses to serve as a juror unless exempted by law; or 6. Fails inexcusably to attend a trial at which he has been chosen to serve as a juror. B. Interfering with judicial proceedings is a class 1 misdemeanor.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-04 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at azleg.gov
Cited in 18 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Ottaway v. Smith (Court of Appeals of Arizona 2005, 210 Ariz. 490)“…r mandate of [the Phoenix Municipal Court]” in violation of A.R.S. § 13-2810(A)(2). Section 13-2810, entitled “Inter…”
- Douglass v. State (Court of Appeals of Arizona 2008, 219 Ariz. 152)“…he order of protection issued on her behalf in violation of A.R.S. § 13-2810, a class one misdemeanor. Cf Sta…”
- Shah v. Vakharwala (Court of Appeals of Arizona 2018, 418 P.3d 974)“…3-3601(A) (domestic violence includes offense prescribed in A.R.S. § 13-2810(A)(2)); A.R.S. § 13-2810(A)(2) (disobey…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
United States Code Title 18
§ 922Unlawful actsIn forcecited in 72 of our articles
It shall be unlawful— for any person— except a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer, to engage in the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms, or in the course of such business to ship, transport, or receive any firearm in interstate or foreign commerce; or except a licensed importer or licensed manufacturer, to engage in the business of importing or manufacturing ammunition, or in the course of such business, to ship, transport, or receive any ammunition in interstate or foreign commerce; for any importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector licensed under the provisions of this chapter to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce any firearm to any person other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector, except that— this paragraph and subsection (b)(3) shall not be held to preclude a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector from returning a firearm or replacement firearm of the same kind and type to a person from whom it was received; and this paragraph shall not be held to preclude an individual from mailing a firearm owned in compliance…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-16 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Cited in 40,024 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):Section 922(g)(1) bars a felon from possessing a firearm, and the Supreme Court cases in this line turn on sentencing, not on the ban. Taylor v. United States (1990) and Shepard v. United States (2005) held that whether prior convictions enhance a 922(g) sentence under 924(e) is decided from offense elements and limited plea records.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- United States v. Booker (Supreme Court of the United States 2004, 543 U.S. 220)“…e Johnson with one crime (say, illegal gun possession, see 18 U. S. C. § 922 (g)) and Jackson with another (say, ban…”
- Almendarez-Torres v. United States (Supreme Court of the United States 1998, 523 U.S. 224)“…cidivism an offense element in such circumstances. But cf. 18 U. S. C. § 922 (g)(1) (prior felony conviction an elem…”
- Taylor v. United States (Supreme Court of the United States 1990, 495 U.S. 575)✓Taylor pleaded guilty to felon-in-possession under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and had two Missouri burglary convictions; the Court held that 'burglary' in the § 924(e) enhancement attached to a § 922(g) conviction means generic burglary judged by the prior statute's elements.
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Can You Become an ICE Agent with a Criminal Record? (2026 Guide), How Long Does a Felony Stay on Your Record? (2026), Supreme Court Limits the Federal Gun Ban on Marijuana Users (Hemani, 2026)
United States Code Title 34
§ 10450Costs for criminal charges and protection ordersIn forcecited in 5 of our articles
A State, Indian tribal government, or unit of local government, shall not be entitled to funds under this subchapter unless the State, Indian tribal government, or unit of local government— certifies that its laws, policies, and practices do not require, in connection with the prosecution of any misdemeanor or felony domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking offense, or in connection with the filing, issuance, registration, modification, enforcement, dismissal, withdrawal or service of a protection order, or a petition for a protection order, to protect a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, that the victim bear the costs associated with the filing of criminal charges against the offender, or the costs associated with the filing, issuance, registration, modification, enforcement, dismissal, withdrawal or service of a warrant, protection order, petition for a protection order, or witness subpoena, whether issued inside or outside the State, tribal, or local jurisdiction; or gives the Attorney General assurances that its laws, policies and practices will be in compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1) within the…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Also relied on in: Restraining Order Laws by State (2026): How to Get a Protective Order, Georgia Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Protective Order, Minnesota Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get an OFP or HRO
Search our full record of US law — 2.1 million sections, every state + federal →
Sources and References
- A.R.S. 13-3602 (Order of Protection)(azleg.gov).gov
- A.R.S. 12-1809 (Injunction Against Harassment)(azleg.gov).gov
- A.R.S. 13-3601 (Domestic Violence Definitions)(azleg.gov).gov
- Arizona Courts Self-Help Center: Order of Protection(azcourts.gov).gov
- 34 U.S.C. 10450, Costs for criminal charges and protection orders (VAWA grant condition)(govinfo.gov)