Kansas
Kansas Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Protective Order
In Kansas, a Protection from Abuse Order (PFA Order) is available to victims of domestic or family violence who share a qualifying relationship with the respondent. A separate Protection from Stalking, Sexual Assault, or Human Trafficking Order requires no relationship. Both are filed in District Court at no cost, and a final PFA Order can be extended for at least one additional year, or even for the respondent's lifetime in serious cases.
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 Kansas
Kansas operates two distinct civil protective-order tracks. The first is the Protection from Abuse Order under KSA 60-3101 through 60-3112. This order is available to victims of physical abuse, threats, harassment, or other harmful conduct by a family or household member. It requires a qualifying domestic relationship with the respondent.
The second track is the Protection from Stalking, Sexual Assault, or Human Trafficking Order under KSA 60-31a01 et seq. This order does not require any relationship between the petitioner and the respondent. Any person who is a victim of stalking, sexual assault, or human trafficking may petition for this order. It provides a critical pathway for victims whose abuser is a coworker, neighbor, acquaintance, or stranger.
Both types of orders can include provisions prohibiting contact, requiring the respondent to stay away from the petitioner's home, workplace, or school, and restricting firearm possession. Kansas also offers online filing through the Kansas Protection Order Portal (KSPOP), which makes it easier to initiate the process from a safe location.
Who can get a restraining order in Kansas?
For a Protection from Abuse Order under KSA 60-3107, you must share one of the following qualifying relationships with the respondent:
- Spouses or former spouses
- Persons who have a child in common
- Persons in a current or former dating relationship
- Persons who reside or have formerly resided together in the same household
- Parents, children, and other close relatives
If you do not share one of these relationships with the person harming you, the Protection from Stalking, Sexual Assault, or Human Trafficking Order under KSA 60-31a is the appropriate civil remedy. That order requires no relationship and is available to any victim of stalking, sexual assault, or human trafficking.
A parent or guardian may also petition for a PFA Order on behalf of a minor child who has experienced domestic abuse within a qualifying relationship.
How to file for a restraining order in Kansas
You file a petition in any Kansas District Court. You do not need to file in a specific county, which gives you flexibility to choose a courthouse that is safe and convenient for you. Kansas also allows online filing through the Kansas Protection Order Portal (KSPOP) for eligible cases, which lets you begin the process from a computer without going to the courthouse first.
Filing is completely free. Kansas District Courts do not charge any filing fee for a Protection from Abuse petition. VAWA also prohibits fees for this type of civil order.
To start, ask the clerk of the District Court for the petition forms, or access them through the KSPOP online portal. Many courthouses have a self-help center, and local domestic-violence organizations can provide free advocacy and help you complete the paperwork. Once you file, a judge will review your petition typically on the same day and can issue a temporary order without the respondent being present.
Temporary vs. final orders: how long they last
Kansas uses a two-stage process. An ex parte temporary order gives you immediate protection, and then a final order is issued after a full hearing.
| Order Type | Duration |
|---|---|
| Ex parte temporary PFA Order | Until the full hearing (typically within 21 days) |
| Initial final PFA Order | Not less than 1 year and not more than 2 years (KSA 60-3107(e)) |
| Extended PFA Order | At least 1 additional year per extension |
| Lifetime PFA Order | For the respondent's lifetime (if qualifying conditions met) |
Under KSA 60-3107(e), the initial final PFA Order must be for a fixed period of not less than one year and not more than two years. The court sets the specific duration within that mandatory range at the final hearing. To obtain an extension, you file a verified motion before the order expires. The court may grant an extension of at least one additional year.
Kansas law provides for an especially long-duration order in serious circumstances. A court may extend a PFA Order for the lifetime of the respondent if: (1) the respondent has violated a prior order, (2) the respondent was previously convicted of violating a protective order, or (3) the respondent was convicted of a person felony. These escalating provisions recognize that some situations involve a persistent and serious threat.
Firearms and a Kansas protective order
A qualifying final Protection from Abuse Order triggers the federal firearm prohibition under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8). Once a final order is entered, the respondent may not lawfully possess, receive, or transport any firearm or ammunition for the duration of the order, even if they previously held a valid permit.
Kansas courts may include a specific firearms prohibition in the PFA Order itself. When such a prohibition is in place, the respondent must comply immediately upon service of the order.
The firearm consequences are especially significant for extended orders. If a respondent violates a PFA Order that has been extended (under KSA 21-5924), the violation is a severity level 6 person felony, which carries serious potential prison time. This elevated penalty reflects the legislature's recognition that repeated or persistent violations of protective orders pose a heightened danger.
If the respondent refuses to surrender firearms or continues to possess them in violation of the order, notify law enforcement and the court immediately.
What happens if someone violates the order?
Violating a Protection from Abuse Order in Kansas is treated seriously at every level. A first violation may be prosecuted as contempt of court or as a Class A misdemeanor under Kansas law. A Class A misdemeanor carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
The penalty escalates significantly for extended orders. Under KSA 21-5924, violating an extended PFA Order is a severity level 6 person felony. A conviction for a severity level 6 person felony can result in a prison sentence, and the conviction itself has long-term consequences for the respondent's rights.
Kansas law authorizes law enforcement officers to arrest a respondent without a warrant if there is probable cause to believe the person has violated a protective order, even if the officer did not witness the violation. You do not need to wait for a court proceeding before calling police.
If the respondent violates the order, call 911 right away, document what happened (the date, time, location, and a description of the violation), and report the violation to the court. Each reported violation creates a record that can support seeking a longer-duration or extended order.
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 pages
For more on how Kansas law addresses personal safety and documentation, see the Kansas recording laws and Kansas self-defense laws pages on this site. For the full national overview of protective orders across all 50 states, visit the Restraining Order Laws by State hub.
More Kansas Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a restraining order in Kansas?
File a petition for a Protection from Abuse Order at any Kansas District Court, or use the Kansas Protection Order Portal (KSPOP) online. Filing is free. A judge can issue a temporary order the same day or next business day without the respondent being present. Local domestic-violence advocates can help you complete the forms at no charge.
How long does a restraining order last in Kansas?
A temporary PFA Order stays in effect until the full hearing, typically within 21 days. Under KSA 60-3107(e), an initial final PFA Order must last a fixed period of not less than 1 year and not more than 2 years; the court sets the exact duration within that range at the hearing. Extended orders add at least one additional year per extension. In serious cases where the respondent violated a prior order or was convicted of a person felony, the court may extend the order for the respondent's lifetime.
How much does a restraining order cost in Kansas?
Nothing. Kansas District Courts do not charge any filing fee for a Protection from Abuse petition. The federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) also prohibits fees for domestic-violence civil protective orders. Service on the respondent is typically handled by the court or law enforcement at no cost to the petitioner.
Can I get a restraining order in Kansas without a police report?
Yes. You do not need a prior police report to petition for a Protection from Abuse Order. You describe the abuse in a sworn petition, and the judge evaluates your request based on that sworn statement. Other documentation, such as photos, messages, or medical records, can help but is not required.
Does a restraining order take away gun rights in Kansas?
A qualifying final PFA Order triggers the federal firearm ban under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8), barring the respondent from possessing or acquiring firearms for the duration of the order. Kansas courts may also include a state-law firearms prohibition in the order itself. Violating an extended PFA Order involving firearms carries severity level 6 person felony consequences.
What happens if the abuser violates the order?
Call 911 immediately. A first violation of a PFA Order is contempt of court or a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail, up to $2,500 fine). Violating an extended order is a severity level 6 person felony under KSA 21-5924. Kansas police may arrest without a warrant on probable cause of a violation.
What is the difference between a Protection from Abuse Order and a stalking order in Kansas?
A Protection from Abuse Order (KSA 60-3107) requires a qualifying domestic or family relationship with the respondent. A Protection from Stalking, Sexual Assault, or Human Trafficking Order (KSA 60-31a) requires no relationship at all. If the person harming you is not a family member, former partner, or housemate, the stalking or harassment order is the appropriate civil remedy.
Sources and References
- KSA 60-3101 through 60-3112 (Protection from Abuse Act)(ksrevisor.gov).gov
- KSA 21-5924 (violation of extended order, severity level 6 person felony)(ksrevisor.gov).gov
- Kansas District Courts self-help center(kscourts.org).gov