Ohio Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Civil Protection Order

In Ohio, the Civil Protection Order (CPO) is the primary civil tool for victims of domestic violence and dating violence. A final CPO can last up to five years and covers spouses, former spouses, household members, and, as of a 2023 amendment, dating partners.

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 Ohio

Ohio law provides two primary civil protective order tracks. The first is the Civil Protection Order (CPO) under ORC 3113.31, which is designed for victims of domestic violence or dating violence within a qualifying relationship. The second is the Civil Stalking Protection Order (CSPO) and the Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order (SSOOPO) under ORC 2903.214, which are available to any victim of stalking or a sexually oriented offense regardless of whether they have any personal relationship with the respondent.

A third type, the Criminal Temporary Protection Order (TPO) under ORC 2919.26, is issued within a criminal domestic violence case at the court's discretion and is separate from the civil CPO process. If the police arrested someone for domestic violence or a related offense, you may automatically receive a criminal TPO while the case is pending; however, you can also file a civil CPO independently of any criminal case.

The CPO is the most comprehensive civil remedy and can include provisions ordering the respondent to stay away from your home, workplace, and school; prohibiting contact; awarding temporary custody of children; and requiring the respondent to vacate a shared residence.

Who can get a restraining order in Ohio?

To petition for a Civil Protection Order, you must have a qualifying relationship with the respondent. Ohio defines this broadly under ORC 3113.31 to include: spouse or former spouse; a person with whom you currently or formerly cohabited (lived together in a shared residence); a person with whom you currently have or formerly had a dating or sexual relationship (explicitly added by a 2023 amendment); a person with whom you have a child in common; and other family or household members, such as parents, children, siblings, and in-laws, who currently or previously resided with you.

If you do not have one of these qualifying relationships but you are a victim of stalking, you can file for a Civil Stalking Protection Order (CSPO) under ORC 2903.214. The CSPO requires no prior relationship between you and the respondent. You may also qualify for a SSOOPO if you are the victim of a sexually oriented offense. These orders provide important protection for victims who are targeted by someone outside their household or social circle.

A parent or guardian may file on behalf of a minor child who is a victim of domestic violence or stalking.

How to file for a restraining order in Ohio

You file a CPO petition at the common pleas court (either the domestic relations division or general division) in the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the domestic violence occurred. There is no filing fee for a CPO under VAWA. Court clerks must accept CPO petitions at any time during regular business hours.

When you file, you will complete a written petition describing the acts of domestic violence or dating violence and your relationship to the respondent. If the judge finds that you are in immediate danger, the court issues an ex parte temporary CPO the same day without notifying the respondent in advance. The court then schedules a full hearing. Under ORC 3113.31(D)(2)(a), that hearing must be held within 7 court days if the ex parte order includes a provision requiring the respondent to vacate or be evicted from a residence; for all other ex parte CPOs, the hearing must be held within 10 court days.

At the full hearing, both parties appear before a judge. If the court finds that domestic violence has occurred or is about to occur, it issues a final CPO with specific terms and a duration of up to 5 years.

If you need help completing the forms, contact your county court's self-help center or reach out to a local domestic violence advocacy organization. Advocates can accompany you to court, help you understand the process, and connect you with additional safety planning resources.

Temporary vs. final orders: how long they last

Ohio's CPO process has two stages. The first is the ex parte temporary CPO, which is issued on the same day you file if the judge finds there is cause to believe domestic violence has occurred or is about to occur. No notice to the respondent is required at this stage. Under ORC 3113.31(D)(2)(a), the hearing timeline depends on what the ex parte order contains: if the order includes a provision requiring the respondent to vacate or be evicted from a residence, the full hearing must be held within 7 court days. For all other ex parte CPOs that do not include a vacate or eviction provision, the hearing must be held within 10 court days.

The second stage is the final CPO, issued after both parties have the opportunity to present evidence at a contested hearing. A final CPO can last up to 5 years. Either party may petition the court to modify or dismiss the order before it expires. The petitioner may also request a renewal before the expiration date.

Firearms and an Ohio Civil Protection Order

Ohio does not have a separate state statute that independently requires firearm surrender upon issuance of a CPO. However, a qualifying final CPO activates the federal firearm prohibition under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8). This federal law bars a person subject to a qualifying protective order from possessing firearms or ammunition. Ohio courts are required to include a notice of this federal prohibition on the face of the CPO.

Although the state statute does not mandate surrender on its own, the court may include a specific provision in the CPO that prohibits the respondent from possessing firearms. If that provision is included, violating it could result in federal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8) as well as state contempt proceedings.

If you believe the respondent has firearms and poses a risk, tell the judge when you file your petition. The judge has discretion to include a firearms prohibition in the temporary or final CPO. You can also contact local law enforcement if you have concerns about firearms during the protective order process.

What happens if someone violates the order?

Violating a Civil Protection Order in Ohio is a criminal offense under ORC 2919.27. A first violation is a first-degree misdemeanor, which carries a penalty of up to 180 days in jail. The offense escalates to a fifth-degree felony (up to 12 months in prison) if the respondent has a prior conviction for violating a protection order. It becomes a third-degree felony (up to 36 months in prison) if the violation is committed while the respondent is simultaneously committing a separate felony.

Ohio law authorizes law enforcement to make an arrest based on probable cause that a CPO violation has occurred, even without a warrant. You do not need to wait for law enforcement to witness the violation.

If the respondent contacts you, approaches your home or workplace, shows up near your children, or otherwise violates any term of the order, call 911 immediately. Keep a record of each violation, including the date, time, location, what happened, and any witnesses or evidence such as texts, voicemails, or photos. Report every violation to the court as well. Unreported violations can make it harder to prove a pattern if you need to request an extension or modification.

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.

For a full overview of how protective orders work across every state, see our guide to Restraining Order Laws by State. You may also find our page on Ohio recording laws helpful if you are documenting threatening communications or harassment as part of your safety planning.

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