Maine Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Protection from Abuse Order

In Maine, a Protection from Abuse (PFA) Order is available to anyone who has experienced abuse by a spouse, former partner, dating partner, co-parent, or household member, and also to adult victims of stalking, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and certain related crimes even when there is no relationship to the offender. A final order can last up to 2 years. A separate Protection from Harassment (PFH) Order is available to any victim of repeated harassment regardless of relationship.

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 Maine

Maine provides two distinct civil-court protective order tracks for people facing abuse or harassment.

The Protection from Abuse (PFA) Order is governed by 19-A M.R.S.A. sections 4101 through 4116. It is available to individuals who have a qualifying family, household, or dating relationship with the person who abused them, and, under 19-A M.R.S.A. section 4103(1)(B), also to adult victims of stalking, sexual assault and other crimes in 17-A M.R.S.A. chapter 11, unauthorized dissemination of certain private images, and sex trafficking, whether or not any relationship exists. The order can require the respondent to stop all contact, vacate a shared home, and surrender weapons.

The Protection from Harassment (PFH) Order is governed by 5 M.R.S.A. chapter 337-A, sections 4651 through 4661. Section 4651 supplies the definitions, section 4652 sets District Court jurisdiction, sections 4653 and 4654 govern the complaint and the hearing, and section 4655 is the provision that authorizes the court to issue the order and spells out the relief it can contain. A PFH order is available to any person who has experienced three or more acts of harassment by the same person, or who has been a victim of certain sexual crimes, regardless of whether they have any relationship with the respondent. Recent amendments (2022 through 2024) also added non-consensual image sharing, sex trafficking, and image-based threats to the definition of conduct covered by these statutes.

Both orders are filed, heard, and decided in Maine's District Court (19-A M.R.S.A. section 4104(1); 5 M.R.S.A. section 4652), and both carry real legal consequences for violations.

Who can get a restraining order in Maine?

The relationship between you and the respondent usually decides which track fits, but it is not the whole picture: Maine opens the PFA to some victims who have no relationship to the offender at all.

For a Protection from Abuse Order, Maine law (19-A M.R.S.A. section 4102) covers:

• Current or former spouses or domestic partners (no registration is required; the statute defines domestic partners as 2 unmarried adults domiciled together under long-term arrangements that evidence a commitment to remain responsible indefinitely for each other's welfare)
• Current or former dating partners, whether or not the two of you were ever sexual partners (19-A M.R.S.A. section 4102(4))
• Current or former cohabitants (people who lived together)
• Co-parents (people who have a child together)
• Adult relatives by blood or adoption living in the household
• Current or former sexual partners

For a Protection from Harassment Order, there is no relationship requirement at all. A neighbor, coworker, acquaintance, or stranger who has repeatedly harassed or stalked you can be the subject of a PFH petition. This second track ensures that victims outside domestic relationships are not left without a civil remedy.

Maine also allows a PFA where there is no relationship at all. Under 19-A M.R.S.A. section 4103(1)(B), an adult who is the victim of stalking, a crime under 17-A M.R.S.A. chapter 11 (the sexual assault chapter), unauthorized dissemination of certain private images, sex trafficking, or conduct giving rise to a civil action under 14 M.R.S.A. section 8305 may petition for a PFA, and the statute says directly that the conduct "need not have been perpetrated by a family or household member, a dating partner or an individual related by consanguinity or affinity." Section 4103(2)(B) does the same for children. This matters in practice: if a stranger or an acquaintance has stalked you, the PFA track may be open to you even with no relationship to that person, and a PFA carries broader relief and a longer maximum term than a PFH order.

Minors may also seek a PFA through a parent or guardian. Vulnerable adults who are victims of abuse by caretakers or household members are also covered under the PFA statute.

How to file for a restraining order in Maine

You file a PFA or PFH petition at a Maine District Court. Under 19-A M.R.S.A. section 4104(1), proceedings must be filed, heard, and determined in the District Court for the division where you or the respondent lives, and 5 M.R.S.A. section 4652 gives the District Court jurisdiction over harassment complaints the same way. If no District Court judge is available in that division when a temporary-order complaint is to be filed, a Superior Court Justice may grant or deny the temporary order, but the case itself still belongs in District Court. Courts are located in each county, and you do not need a lawyer to file. There is no filing fee for a Protection from Abuse Order; federal law under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) prohibits courts from charging a filing or service fee for domestic-violence protective orders. The PFH Order also has no filing fee.

When you arrive at the courthouse, ask for the court clerk or the self-help center. You will fill out a petition describing what happened, your relationship to the respondent (for a PFA), and what relief you are requesting, such as no-contact provisions, a requirement that the respondent leave a shared home, or weapon surrender. Be as specific and factual as possible in describing the incidents.

If you need help completing the forms, a court self-help center staff member can assist you. Many local domestic-violence organizations also have advocates who will accompany you to court and help you through the process at no charge. The Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence (MCEDV) can connect you with a local program.

After hours, if you need immediate protection, law enforcement can connect you with emergency resources. Emergency ex parte petitions may also be available through on-call judges in some jurisdictions.

Temporary vs. final orders: how long they last

Maine's process involves two stages of protection.

Temporary (ex parte) PFA order: A judge can issue a temporary PFA the same day you file your petition, without the respondent being present, if the petition shows that immediate protection is needed. Once issued, the temporary order stays in effect until a full court hearing. Under 19-A M.R.S.A. section 4109(1), that hearing must be held within 21 days of the filing of the complaint, not 21 days from the date a temporary order is issued. The same 21-day period applies even when the court denies temporary relief and no ex parte order ever issues. That leaves at most 21 days to get ready, so ask a Maine family lawyer for a free case evaluation on the evidence you will present at the hearing (attorney advertising).

Final PFA order: After the hearing, at which both you and the respondent may present evidence, the court can issue a final PFA order. A final order lasts for a fixed period of up to 2 years. It can be extended or reinstated by a court motion if circumstances warrant continued protection.

Both order types can include provisions requiring the respondent to have no contact with you, stay away from your home, workplace, or children's school, and surrender firearms if the court includes that provision.

Firearms and a Maine protective order

Maine law specifically addresses weapons when a protective order is issued. If a court includes a firearm-prohibition provision in either a temporary or a final PFA order, the respondent is required to surrender all firearms, muzzle-loading firearms, bows, crossbows, and any other specified dangerous weapons to law enforcement or a qualified third party within 24 hours of being served with the order. The respondent must provide written documentation of the surrender to the court.

Beyond the state-level surrender requirement, a qualifying final protective order also triggers the federal firearm prohibition under 18 U.S.C. section 922(g)(8). This federal law makes it a federal crime for a person subject to a qualifying protective order to possess or purchase any firearm or ammunition. The federal ban applies automatically once the order meets the statutory criteria, regardless of whether the state order explicitly mentions firearms.

If you are concerned about a respondent who possesses firearms, let the court know when you file your petition and ask the judge to include a surrender provision.

What happens if someone violates the order?

Violating a Maine Protection from Abuse order is a criminal offense. The penalty statute is 19-A M.R.S.A. section 4113, and it sets the crime classes itself: subsection 1 makes a violation a Class D crime, while subsections 4 and 5 make certain violations a Class C crime. 17-A M.R.S.A. section 506-B is the Criminal Code cross-reference that points back to it, providing that a PFA violation is "a Class D crime as provided in Title 19-A, section 4113, subsection 1 or a Class C crime as provided in Title 19-A, section 4113, subsection 4." For a Protection from Harassment order, section 506-B(1) routes the violation to 5 M.R.S.A. section 4659(1). The penalties escalate with each conviction:

• First offense: Class D crime, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000.
• Two or more prior convictions: Class C crime, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000.
• Dangerous violations: a violation involving reckless conduct that creates a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to the protected person, or an assault on the protected person, is a Class C crime even on a first violation (19-A M.R.S.A. section 4113(4)).

Maine law enforcement may arrest a respondent without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe a protective order has been violated. If the respondent violates the order, call 911 immediately and report the violation. Document the violation in as much detail as possible, including date, time, witnesses, and any messages or physical evidence. Violations can also be reported to the court as contempt of court, which carries separate civil penalties.

Even a first violation can result in jail time. Courts in Maine take protective-order violations seriously.

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 broader context on Maine law and personal safety rights, see the cluster hub Restraining Order Laws by State, which covers all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.

You may also find these related pages useful: Maine Recording Laws (documenting harassment or threats) and the site's coverage of stalking and personal safety topics within the recording-law cluster.

More Maine Laws

• Maine Child Custody Laws
• Maine Divorce Laws
• Maine GPS Tracking Laws
• Maine Self-Defense Laws

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a restraining order in Maine?

File a petition for a Protection from Abuse (PFA) Order at a Maine District Court, which is where both PFA and PFH proceedings must be filed, heard, and determined. There is no filing fee. A judge can issue a temporary ex parte order the same day if there is immediate danger, and a full hearing must be held within 21 days of the filing of the complaint. A court self-help center or a local domestic-violence advocate can help you complete the paperwork.

How long does a restraining order last in Maine?

A temporary PFA order lasts until the court hearing, which must be held within 21 days of the filing of the complaint. A final PFA order lasts up to 2 years. A final Protection from Harassment (PFH) order lasts for a fixed period not to exceed 1 year (5 M.R.S.A. 4655), but the court may extend it on a plaintiff's motion. Both order types can be reinstated by court motion.

How much does a restraining order cost in Maine?

Filing a Protection from Abuse petition is free. Federal law under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) prohibits courts from charging a filing fee or service fee for domestic-violence protective orders. The Protection from Harassment Order also has no filing fee in Maine.

Can I get a restraining order in Maine without a police report?

Yes. A police report is not required to petition for a PFA or PFH order. You file a civil petition with the court describing what happened. That said, police reports and any other documentation of incidents can strengthen your petition.

Does a restraining order take away gun rights in Maine?

If the court includes a firearms-prohibition provision in your protective order, the respondent must surrender all firearms, bows, and crossbows within 24 hours of service. A qualifying final protective order also triggers the federal ban under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8), making it a federal crime for the respondent to possess or purchase any firearm.

What happens if the abuser violates the order in Maine?

Violating a Protection from Abuse order is a crime under 19-A M.R.S.A. section 4113, which sets the crime classes itself; 17-A M.R.S.A. section 506-B is the Criminal Code provision that cross-references back to it. A first offense is a Class D crime (up to 364 days jail, fine up to $2,000). Two or more prior convictions escalate to a Class C crime (up to 5 years), and a violation involving reckless conduct that creates a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury is a Class C crime even without priors. Call 911 immediately if the order is violated, then document the incident and report it to the court.

What is the difference between a Protection from Abuse Order and a Protection from Harassment Order in Maine?

A Protection from Abuse (PFA) Order is usually based on a qualifying family, household, or dating relationship with the respondent (spouse, domestic partner, dating partner, co-parent, cohabitant, sexual partner), but 19-A M.R.S.A. section 4103(1)(B) also lets an adult victim of stalking, a sexual assault offense, sex trafficking, or unauthorized dissemination of private images seek a PFA with no relationship to the offender at all. A Protection from Harassment (PFH) Order requires no prior relationship and is available to any victim of three or more acts of harassment or certain sexual crimes by the same person.