Arizona Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Protective Order
Arizona Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Protective Order
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 have been in a romantic or sexual relationship within the past two years
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. Federal law under the Violence Against Women Act bars courts from charging a filing fee or service fee for a domestic-violence protective order. 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 a hearing within 10 business days of service | 2 years from date of service on respondent |
After the respondent is served, they have the right to request a hearing within 10 business days to contest the order. 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.
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.
More Arizona Laws
- Arizona AI Meeting Recording Laws
- Arizona Alimony Laws
- Arizona At-Will Employment Laws
- Arizona Car Accident Laws
- Arizona Car Seat Laws
- Arizona Child Custody Laws
- Arizona Child Support Laws
- Arizona Common Law Marriage Laws
- Arizona Data Privacy Laws
- Arizona Divorce Laws
- Arizona Dog Bite Laws
- Arizona Emancipation Laws
- Arizona Expungement Laws
- Arizona Hit and Run Laws
- Arizona Landlord-Tenant Laws
- Arizona Lemon Laws
Sources
- A.R.S. 13-3602 (Order of Protection): https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/03602.htm
- A.R.S. 12-1809 (Injunction Against Harassment): https://www.azleg.gov/ars/12/01809.htm
- A.R.S. 13-3601 (domestic violence definitions): https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/03601.htm
- Arizona Courts Self-Help Center: https://www.azcourts.gov/selfservicecenter/Order-of-Protection
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)
