Michigan Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Personal Protection Order
Michigan Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Personal Protection Order
In Michigan, protective orders are called Personal Protection Orders (PPOs). Victims of domestic violence or dating-partner abuse may seek a Domestic Relationship PPO, while any victim of stalking or sexual assault may seek a Non-Domestic Stalking PPO regardless of relationship. A PPO is valid for a minimum of 182 days from the date of issuance.
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 Personal Protection Orders in Michigan
Michigan uses a unified term, "Personal Protection Order" (PPO), for all civil protective orders, but the statute divides them into two distinct tracks.
A Domestic Relationship PPO is issued under MCL 600.2950 and applies when the petitioner and respondent share or formerly shared a qualifying personal relationship. This track covers current and former spouses, dating partners, co-parents, and current or former household residents.
A Non-Domestic Stalking PPO is issued under MCL 600.2950a and applies when the respondent has committed or is likely to commit stalking, aggravated stalking, or sexual assault against the petitioner. No prior relationship is required. Michigan's 2023 amendments to MCL 600.2950a added sexual assault under MCL 750.411s as an explicit basis for a non-domestic PPO.
Both types of PPO can prohibit the respondent from contacting or communicating with the petitioner, entering certain locations, purchasing firearms (if the court includes that provision), and other specified conduct.
Who can get a Personal Protection Order in Michigan?
For a Domestic Relationship PPO, the petitioner must have one of the following relationships with the respondent:
- Current or former spouse
- A person currently or formerly in a dating relationship (Michigan defines this as frequent, intimate associations primarily characterized by an expectation of affectional involvement; casual or business relationships do not qualify)
- A current or former household resident
- A person who shares a child in common with the respondent
For a Non-Domestic Stalking PPO, no relationship is required. Any person who is a victim of stalking (MCL 750.411h), aggravated stalking (MCL 750.411i), or sexual assault (MCL 750.411s) may petition for this order. The petitioner must show that the respondent has engaged or is likely to engage in the prohibited conduct.
How to file for a Personal Protection Order in Michigan
Both types of PPO are filed in the Family Division of Circuit Court. The petitioner files a petition describing the abuse, stalking, or harassment and explaining why protection is needed. The petition may be filed as an independent action, joined to an existing family court case, or filed as a motion in a pending case.
Under Michigan court rules, the petitioner may omit their home address from the petition and other filings for safety reasons.
There is no filing fee for a Domestic Relationship PPO under the federal Violence Against Women Act, which bars states from charging filing or service fees for domestic-violence protective orders. The court processes the petition and, if the judge finds sufficient grounds, issues the ex parte PPO the same day or the next court day.
Local domestic-violence advocates and the court's self-help center can assist with completing the petition and navigating the process. Many domestic-violence organizations in Michigan provide court advocates who can accompany petitioners to the courthouse.
Temporary vs. final orders: how long they last
Michigan PPOs work differently from many other states. There is no separate short-term "temporary" order followed by a distinct "final" order in the traditional sense. Instead, the ex parte PPO issued at filing is immediately effective for a minimum of 182 days, and the court sets an expiration date on the face of the order.
| Order Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Ex parte PPO (issued at filing, without respondent present) | Minimum 182 days; court sets expiration date |
| Respondent's motion to modify or rescind | Must be filed within 14 days of service; hearing within 14 days |
| Extension | Petitioner may file to extend before expiration; no statutory maximum |
After the PPO is served on the respondent, the respondent has 14 days to file a motion to modify or rescind the order. If such a motion is filed, the court must hold a hearing within 14 days of the motion. At that hearing, the petitioner has the opportunity to present their evidence. The PPO remains in effect throughout this process unless the court modifies it.
Before the order expires, the petitioner may file a motion to extend it for additional time. There is no statutory maximum on the duration the court may set.
Firearms and a Michigan Personal Protection Order
Michigan courts have discretion to include a firearm-possession prohibition in a PPO. This is not automatic or mandatory under state law. If the court includes such a provision in the order, the respondent may not hold a concealed pistol license for the duration of the order, in addition to the firearm prohibition itself.
Separately, a qualifying final Domestic Relationship PPO triggers the federal firearm ban under 18 U.S.C. section 922(g)(8). Under federal law, a person subject to such an order may not possess any firearm or ammunition, regardless of whether the state order specifically addresses firearms.
Michigan also enacted a red-flag law in 2023 (MCL 691.1801 et seq.) that allows courts to issue Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), which require firearm surrender. ERPOs are a separate proceeding from PPOs, but both mechanisms can result in firearm removal.
If a respondent violates a firearm prohibition in a PPO, that violation is separate criminal conduct in addition to the PPO contempt violation.
What happens if someone violates the order?
Violating a PPO in Michigan is criminal contempt of court. Under MCL 600.2950(23), a respondent who is 17 or older and found to have violated the order faces up to 93 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. The court may also impose conditions, require supervision, or take other measures on a finding of contempt.
In addition to contempt proceedings, the conduct that constitutes the violation (for example, contacting the petitioner, trespassing, or stalking) may independently support separate criminal charges under Michigan's stalking, domestic violence, or harassment statutes.
Police can arrest a respondent on probable cause that a PPO has been violated. If the order is violated, the protected person should call 911 immediately, report the violation to the court, and document what happened, including the date, time, and nature of the violation.
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 Michigan Laws
- Michigan AI Meeting Recording Laws
- Michigan Alimony Laws
- Michigan At-Will Employment Laws
- Michigan Car Accident Laws
- Michigan Car Seat Laws
- Michigan Child Custody Laws
- Michigan Child Support Laws
- Michigan Common Law Marriage Laws
- Michigan Data Privacy Laws
- Michigan Divorce Laws
- Michigan Dog Bite Laws
- Michigan Emancipation Laws
- Michigan Expungement Laws
- Michigan Hit and Run Laws
- Michigan Landlord-Tenant Laws
- Michigan Lemon Laws
Sources
- Michigan Compiled Laws 600.2950, Domestic Relationship Personal Protection Orders: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-600-2950
- Michigan Compiled Laws 600.2950a, Non-Domestic Stalking Personal Protection Orders: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-600-2950a
- Michigan Courts Self-Help Center, Personal Protection Orders: https://courts.michigan.gov/self-help/center/personal-protection-orders/pages/default.aspx
Related
For a full overview of how protective orders work across every state, see the Restraining Order Laws by State hub. Michigan residents documenting stalking or harassment may also find the Michigan recording law page useful for understanding what may lawfully be recorded as evidence.
