Kansas
Kansas 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. · 3 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
In Kansas, a Protection from Abuse Order (PFA Order) is available to victims of domestic violence whose abuser is an intimate partner or household member, a class Kansas defines narrowly. 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 1 to 3 additional years, 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 60-3111, the sections KSA 60-3101(a) names as the protection from abuse act. This order is available to victims of physical abuse, threats, harassment, or other harmful conduct by an intimate partner or household member. It requires one of the qualifying relationships defined in KSA 60-3102(b).
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?
KSA 60-3104(a) limits a Protection from Abuse petition to an intimate partner or household member alleging abuse by another intimate partner or household member, and KSA 60-3102(b) defines that class. You must share one of the following relationships with the respondent:
- Persons who are or have been in a dating relationship, meaning a social relationship of a romantic nature
- Persons who reside together or who have formerly resided together, which is how most spouses and former spouses qualify
- Persons who have had a child in common
That list is the whole eligible class. Kansas does not extend the PFA Order to relatives as such: a parent, adult child, sibling, or cousin who has never lived with the respondent and shares no child in common cannot obtain a Protection from Abuse Order, even though the abuse is real.
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.
Under KSA 60-3104(b), a parent of the minor child, an adult residing with the minor child, or the child's court-appointed legal custodian or legal guardian may petition for a PFA Order on behalf of that child, alleging abuse by an intimate partner or household member.
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 | 1 to 3 additional years per extension (KSA 60-3107(e)(1)) |
| 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 a routine extension of not less than one year and not more than three years under KSA 60-3107(e)(1). If you still need protection when it ends, ask a Kansas family lawyer for a free case evaluation on the verified motion to extend before the order expires (attorney advertising).
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 the lifetime-eligible extended order. If a respondent violates a PFA Order extended under KSA 60-3107(e)(2), the violation is a severity level 6 person felony under KSA 21-5924, which carries serious potential prison time. Violating a routine extension under 60-3107(e)(1) remains a class A person misdemeanor. This elevated penalty reflects the legislature's recognition that a court-found pattern of violation or a person-felony conviction poses 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 person misdemeanor under Kansas law. A class A person misdemeanor carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
The penalty escalates significantly for the lifetime-eligible extended order. Under KSA 21-5924, violating a PFA Order extended under KSA 60-3107(e)(2) 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. Violating a routine extension granted under 60-3107(e)(1) remains a class A person misdemeanor, the same grade as violating the initial order.
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](/us-laws/restraining-orders) 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. A routine extension under 60-3107(e)(1) runs 1 to 3 additional years. 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 under 60-3107(e)(2).
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 the specific lifetime-eligible extended order under KSA 60-3107(e)(2) carries severity level 6 person felony consequences; violating a routine extension remains a misdemeanor.
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 person misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail, up to $2,500 fine). Violating the lifetime-eligible extended order under KSA 60-3107(e)(2) is a severity level 6 person felony under KSA 21-5924; violating a routine 60-3107(e)(1) extension remains a class A person misdemeanor. 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 requires that you and the respondent be intimate partners or household members under KSA 60-3102(b): a current or former dating relationship, current or former cohabitation, or a child in common. 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 current or former partner, a current or former housemate, or a co-parent, including a relative you have never lived with, the stalking, sexual assault, or human trafficking order is the appropriate civil remedy.
Updates
Corrected who can obtain a Kansas Protection from Abuse Order: eligibility is limited to intimate partners and household members under KSA 60-3102(b), not relatives generally, and the act's citation range and the class A person misdemeanor grade for violations were corrected to match KSA 60-3101(a) and KSA 21-5924(b)(1).
Corrected two Kansas protective-order defects: a routine order extension is capped at 3 years, not open-ended, and the severity level 6 felony enhancement for violating an extended order applies only to the specific lifetime-eligible extension under KSA 60-3107(e)(2), not to every extended order.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
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.
Kansas Statutes Annotated, Chapter 60: PROCEDURE, CIVIL
§ 60-3107Protection from abuse orders; procedure; modification of orders; inconsistent orders; limitations on time of extension of orders; violation of orders; criminal violations and penalties.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) The court may approve any consent agreement to bring about a cessation of abuse of the plaintiff or minor children or grant any of the following orders: (1) Restraining the defendant from abusing, molesting or interfering with the privacy or rights of the plaintiff or of any minor children of the parties, including, but not limited to, utilizing any electronic tracking system or acquiring tracking information to determine the other person's location, movement or travel patterns. Such order shall contain a statement that if such order is violated, such violation may constitute assault as defined in K.S.A. 21-5412(a), and amendments thereto, battery as defined in K.S.A. 21-5413(a), and amendments thereto, domestic battery as defined in K.S.A. 21-5414, and amendments thereto, and violation of a protective order as defined in K.S.A. 21-5924, and amendments thereto. (2) Granting possession of the residence or household to the plaintiff to the exclusion of the defendant, and further restraining the defendant from entering or remaining upon or in such residence or household, subject to the limitation of subsection (d).
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-08 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ksrevisor.gov
Cited in 13 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Barnett v. Barnett (Court of Appeals of Kansas 1997, 24 Kan. App. 2d 342)“…es because the underlying order was erroneous. We disagree. K.S.A. 60-3107(a)(7), which allows the trial court to…”
- In re Spradling (Supreme Court of Kansas 2022, 509 P.3d 483)“…n active order was in place at the time of the murders. But K.S.A. 60-3107(e) provides that "a protective order .…”
- Key v. Hein, Ebert & Weir, Chtd. (Supreme Court of Kansas 1998, 265 Kan. 124)“…ight have been arrested for were misdemeanors. At that time K.S.A. 60-3107(g), the relevant provision of the Prote…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Kansas GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026)
§ 60-3101Citation and construction of act.In force
(a) K.S.A. 60-3101 through 60-3111, and amendments thereto, shall be known and may be cited as the protection from abuse act. (b) This act shall be liberally construed to promote the protection of victims of domestic violence from bodily injury or threats of bodily injury and to facilitate access to judicial protection for the victims, whether represented by counsel or proceeding pro se.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ksrevisor.gov
Cited in 34 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Kerry G. v. Stacy C. (Court of Appeals of Kansas 2018, 55 Kan. App. 2d 246)“…n must be read in context of the Protection from Abuse Act. K.S.A. 60-3101 et seq. When looking at the Act as a wh…”
- J.B.B. v. J.L.B. (Court of Appeals of Kansas 2021, 495 P.3d 1036)“…1 4. The Protection from Abuse Act, K.S.A. 60-3101 et seq., should be construed liberally…”
- State v. Boese (Supreme Court of Kansas 2026)“…iolated "[a] protection from abuse order issued pursuant to K.S.A. 60-3101 et seq." (Emphases added.) The…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 60-3102Definitions.In force
As used in the protection from abuse act: (a) "Abuse" means the occurrence of one or more of the following acts between intimate partners or household members: (1) Intentionally attempting to cause bodily injury, or intentionally or recklessly causing bodily injury. (2) Intentionally placing, by physical threat, another in fear of imminent bodily injury. (3) Engaging in any sexual contact or attempted sexual contact with another person without consent or when such person is incapable of giving consent. (4) Engaging in any of the following acts with a minor under 16 years of age who is not the spouse of the offender: (A) The act of sexual intercourse; or (B) any lewd fondling or touching of the person of either the minor or the offender, done or submitted to with the intent to arouse or to satisfy the sexual desires of either the minor or the offender, or both. (b) "Intimate partners or household members" means persons who are or have been in a dating relationship, persons who reside together or who have formerly resided together or persons who have had a child in common. (c) "Dating relationship" means a social relationship of a romantic nature.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ksrevisor.gov
Cited in 12 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Paida v. Leach (Supreme Court of Kansas 1996, 260 Kan. 292)“…sical threat, ’another in fear of imminent’ bodily injury.” K.S.A. 60-3102(a) and (b). The Act requires the…”
- Barnett v. Barnett (Court of Appeals of Kansas 1997, 24 Kan. App. 2d 342)“…person or child resides.” The applicable portions of K.S.A. 60-3102 provide: “As used in this act ‘a…”
- Kerry G. v. Stacy C. (Court of Appeals of Kansas 2016, 53 Kan. App. 2d 218)“…e Act authorizes protection orders when abuse as defined in K.S.A. 60-3102(a) has occurred. For the purposes of th…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 60-3104Commencement of proceedings; persons seeking relief on behalf of minor child; forms; no docket fee; confidentiality of certain matters, exceptions.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) An intimate partner or household member may seek relief under the protection from abuse act by filing a verified petition with any judge of the district court or with the clerk of the court alleging abuse by another intimate partner or household member. (b) The following persons may seek relief under the protection from abuse act on behalf of a minor child by filing a verified petition with any judge of the district court or with the clerk of the court alleging abuse by another intimate partner or household member: (1) A parent of the minor child; (2) an adult residing with the minor child; or (3) the child's court-appointed legal custodian or court-appointed legal guardian. (c) The clerk of the court shall supply the forms for the petition and orders, which shall be prescribed by the judicial council. (d) Service of process served under this section shall be by personal service and not by certified mail return receipt requested. No docket fee shall be required for proceedings under the protection from abuse act.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ksrevisor.gov
Cited in 5 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Paida v. Leach (Supreme Court of Kansas 1996, 260 Kan. 292)“…hich alleges abuse by a person with whom the child resides. K.S.A. 60-3104(a). Abuse is defined in part as…”
- Barnett v. Barnett (Court of Appeals of Kansas 1997, 24 Kan. App. 2d 342)“…250 Kan. 123, 129 , 823 P.2d 782 (1991). K.S.A. 60-3104 of the Protection from Abuse Act, K.S.A…”
- Crim v. Crim (Court of Appeals of Kansas 2008, 40 Kan. App. 2d 367)“…ging abuse by another intimate partner or household member. K.S.A. 60-3104(a). In part, abuse is defined as…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Kansas Voyeurism Laws
Kansas Statutes Annotated, Chapter 21: CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS
§ 21-5924Violation of a protective order; extended protective orders; penalties.In force
(a) Violation of a protective order is knowingly violating: (1) A protection from abuse order issued pursuant to K.S.A. 60-3105, 60-3106 or 60-3107, and amendments thereto; (2) a protective order issued by a court or tribunal of any state or Indian tribe that is consistent with the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 2265, and amendments thereto; (3) a restraining order issued pursuant to K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 23-2707, 38-2243, 38-2244 or 38-2255, and amendments thereto, or K.S.A. 60-1607, prior to its transfer; (4) an order issued in this or any other state as a condition of pretrial release, diversion, probation, suspended sentence, postrelease supervision or at any other time during the criminal case that orders the person to refrain from having any direct or indirect contact with another person; (5) an order issued in this or any other state as a condition of release after conviction or as a condition of a supersedeas bond pending disposition of an appeal, that orders the person to refrain from having any direct or indirect contact with another person; or (6) a protection from stalking, sexual assault or human trafficking order issued pursuant to K.S.A.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ksrevisor.gov
Cited in 17 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Boese (Supreme Court of Kansas 2026)“…d with a violation of a protection from "abuse" order under K.S.A. 21-5924(a)(1) (a PFA) but the evidence supporte…”
- State v. Macomber (Supreme Court of Kansas 2019)“…ed in K.S.A. 21-3843, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5924, and amendments thereto,…”
- State v. Romey (Supreme Court of Kansas 2025)“…r. 6. La. Stat. Ann. § 14:79 is not comparable to K.S.A. 21-5924 under the identical-to- or-narrower sta…”
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)
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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
- KSA 60-3101 (citation and construction of the protection from abuse act, KSA 60-3101 through 60-3111)(ksrevisor.gov)
- KSA 60-3102 (definitions, including "intimate partners or household members")(ksrevisor.gov)
- KSA 60-3104 (who may commence proceedings; petitions on behalf of a minor child; no docket fee)(ksrevisor.gov)