Kentucky
Kentucky Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Protective Order
In Kentucky, a Domestic Violence Order (DVO) protects victims of family violence and can last up to 3 years per term. For dating partners who do not share a household, an Interpersonal Protective Order (IPO) provides the same protection. Filing is free, and a judge can issue an Emergency Protective Order (EPO) the same day, before the respondent is notified.
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 Kentucky
Kentucky law provides several overlapping protective order tracks. The Domestic Violence Order (DVO) is the core civil remedy for family members and household members. It is preceded by an Emergency Protective Order (EPO), which a judge issues ex parte (without the respondent present) when there is immediate danger of domestic violence. Together, the EPO and DVO are governed by KRS Chapter 403.
The Interpersonal Protective Order (IPO), found in KRS Chapter 456, fills an important gap: it covers persons in a dating or intimate relationship who do not share a household and therefore would not qualify for a DVO under Chapter 403. The IPO has the same protection and duration as a DVO.
A separate Stalking Protective Order is available to any person who is a victim of stalking, regardless of whether they have any relationship with the stalker. This track requires no domestic or intimate connection to the respondent. Together, these tracks ensure that nearly every victim of intimate-partner violence, family violence, or stalking has a civil remedy in Kentucky courts.
Who can get a restraining order in Kentucky?
For the Domestic Violence Order (DVO) and Emergency Protective Order (EPO), you must have a qualifying family or household relationship with the respondent. Qualifying relationships under KRS 403.720 include:
- Current or former spouses
- Parents, children, and stepchildren
- Grandparents and grandchildren
- Adult siblings
- Persons who share a child in common
- Persons who currently or formerly lived together in the same household
The Interpersonal Protective Order (IPO) extends coverage to persons who are in or were in a dating or intimate relationship but did not share a household. This is a meaningful distinction: a person who dated someone but never cohabited must use the IPO track, not the DVO track.
The Stalking Protective Order requires no relationship at all. If someone is following, threatening, or surveilling you and you have no qualifying connection to them, you may petition for a stalking order in district court. Anyone at least 14 years of age may file; parents and guardians may petition on behalf of minor children.
How to file for a restraining order in Kentucky
For a DVO or EPO, you file in District Court in the county where you reside, where the respondent resides, or where the domestic violence incident occurred. Petitions for an IPO are filed in Circuit Court. Most courthouses have self-help centers that can assist you in completing the required forms without a lawyer.
Filing is free. Under the Violence Against Women Act, courts cannot charge a filing fee or a fee for service of process for a domestic-violence protective order. If you need an EPO outside of regular court hours, law enforcement officers can contact an on-call judge to issue one.
When you file, you will complete a petition describing the abuse or threat. A judge reviews it the same day. If the judge finds reasonable grounds to believe domestic violence occurred or is about to occur, an EPO is issued immediately. You do not need a police report to file, and you do not need to have a prior criminal case pending. Domestic-violence advocates at organizations across Kentucky can accompany you to court, help you complete forms, and provide safety planning at no cost.
Temporary vs. final orders: how long they last
Kentucky uses a two-step process. The ex parte EPO is issued the same day you file, without the respondent present, when the judge finds immediate danger. The EPO is effective for up to 14 days, or until a full hearing is held. If the respondent is not yet served before the EPO expires, a judge may reissue it for up to 14 additional days.
At the full hearing, both parties appear and can present evidence. If the judge finds domestic violence occurred or may again occur, a DVO or IPO is entered.
| Order Type | Duration |
|---|---|
| Emergency Protective Order (EPO) | Up to 14 days (until hearing) |
| Domestic Violence Order (DVO) | Up to 3 years; renewable |
| Interpersonal Protective Order (IPO) | Up to 3 years; renewable |
The DVO and IPO are each renewable for additional periods of up to 3 years. To renew, you file a motion before the current order expires and show that continued protection is necessary.
Firearms and a Kentucky protective order
When a qualifying DVO is entered after notice and a hearing, the respondent is prohibited from possessing firearms under both Kentucky state law (KRS 403.740) and the federal firearm ban at 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8). Kentucky law directs the respondent to relinquish any firearms they possess.
The federal ban applies to any person subject to a qualifying final order that was issued after a hearing with notice to the respondent, restrains that person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or a child of an intimate partner, and includes a finding that the person poses a credible threat to the physical safety of that person or child. Possessing a firearm in violation of that federal law is a serious federal felony.
If the respondent retains firearms after a DVO is entered, report this to law enforcement. You do not need to confront the respondent yourself.
What happens if someone violates the order?
Violating a DVO or IPO in Kentucky is a crime under KRS 403.763 (as amended, eff. June 27, 2025). The penalty structure is:
- First offense: Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $500.
- Second or subsequent violation within five years: Class D felony, punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison and a fine of $1,000 to $10,000. The five-year period runs from the dates the underlying offenses occurred. The prior and current violations do not need to involve the same protected person.
Police in Kentucky may arrest a respondent without a warrant when they have probable cause to believe a DVO or IPO has been violated. If the respondent violates the order, call 911 immediately and keep any evidence (texts, voicemails, photos) of the violation. Report the violation to the court as well; a violation can also be treated as contempt of court.
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
For information on Kentucky's self-defense laws, see the Kentucky Self-Defense Laws page. For documenting harassment or threats for use in a protective-order proceeding, see Kentucky Recording Laws. For a full overview of how protective orders work across the country, return to the Restraining Order Laws by State hub.
More Kentucky Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a restraining order in Kentucky?
File a petition at the District Court in your county (or the county where the respondent lives, or where the abuse occurred). Ask for an Emergency Protective Order (EPO). A judge will review your petition the same day. If you qualify, the EPO is issued immediately, without the other party present. A full hearing is scheduled within 14 days, at which a Domestic Violence Order (DVO) may be entered. If you were in a dating relationship but did not share a household, file for an Interpersonal Protective Order (IPO) in Circuit Court instead.
How long does a restraining order last in Kentucky?
An Emergency Protective Order (EPO) lasts up to 14 days, until the full hearing. A final Domestic Violence Order (DVO) or Interpersonal Protective Order (IPO) lasts up to 3 years and is renewable for additional 3-year terms.
How much does a restraining order cost in Kentucky?
Filing for a DVO, EPO, or IPO is free. The Violence Against Women Act prohibits courts from charging a filing fee or service fee for domestic-violence protective orders.
Can I get a restraining order without a police report?
Yes. You do not need a police report or a prior criminal case to petition for a protective order in Kentucky. You file a civil petition in District Court (or Circuit Court for an IPO) describing the abuse or threat. The judge decides based on your petition and testimony.
Does a restraining order take away gun rights in Kentucky?
Yes, if a qualifying DVO is issued after a hearing with notice to the respondent. Kentucky law (KRS 403.740) requires the respondent to relinquish firearms. The federal ban at 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8) also prohibits possession of firearms or ammunition for the duration of a qualifying order.
What happens if the abuser violates the order?
Call 911 immediately. Police can arrest the respondent without a warrant on probable cause that a DVO or IPO was violated. A first violation is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 12 months jail); a second or subsequent violation within five years of a prior violation is a Class D felony (1 to 5 years). Document every violation and report it to the court.
What is the difference between a DVO, an EPO, and an IPO in Kentucky?
An EPO (Emergency Protective Order) is the temporary ex parte order issued on the day you file; it lasts up to 14 days. A DVO (Domestic Violence Order) is the final order entered after a full hearing; it covers family members and household members. An IPO (Interpersonal Protective Order) works the same as a DVO but covers people in a dating or intimate relationship who never shared a household.
Sources and References
- KRS Chapter 403 - Domestic Violence and Abuse (EPO and DVO)(apps.legislature.ky.gov).gov
- KRS Chapter 456 - Interpersonal Protective Orders(apps.legislature.ky.gov).gov
- 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8) - Federal firearm prohibition for persons under qualifying protective orders(law.cornell.edu)
- KRS 403.763 (Violation penalties, as amended eff. June 27, 2025)(apps.legislature.ky.gov).gov