Rhode Island Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Protective Order

In Rhode Island, a civil Domestic Abuse Restraining Order lets spouses, former spouses, household members, co-parents, and persons in a substantive dating or engagement relationship ask the Family Court for protection. A final order lasts up to three years and can be extended.

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 Rhode Island

Rhode Island's civil protective order system centers on the Domestic Abuse Restraining Order under RIGL Chapter 15-15. This order is available in Family Court and covers physical harm, threats of harm, or harassment by a qualifying household or relationship member. It can include provisions ordering the respondent to vacate a shared home, stay away from the petitioner and their workplace, and have no contact whatsoever.

Rhode Island does not have a standalone civil harassment order for non-domestic situations in the same way that many other states do. Victims of stalking or harassment who do not share a qualifying domestic relationship with the perpetrator typically must rely on criminal remedies, such as reporting stalking under RIGL Chapter 11-59, rather than a separate civil petition track. If you are being stalked or harassed by someone you do not share a domestic relationship with, speaking with law enforcement or a domestic violence advocate about criminal complaint options is strongly recommended.

A separate category of protective and no-contact orders can arise out of criminal proceedings under the Rhode Island Domestic Violence Prevention Act (RIGL Chapter 12-29). These criminal protective orders are issued by a judge as part of a criminal case, not through a civil petition. They run alongside, and sometimes in addition to, a civil Domestic Abuse Restraining Order from Family Court.

Who can get a restraining order in Rhode Island?

The qualifying relationship for a civil Domestic Abuse Restraining Order under RIGL 15-15 is the threshold requirement. The following people may petition for an order:

• Current or former spouses
• Parents and their adult children who reside or have resided together
• Adult household members who have lived together within the preceding three years
• Persons who share a child in common, regardless of whether they ever lived together
• Persons in a substantive dating or engagement relationship

Rhode Island courts look at the nature, length, and frequency of the relationship when evaluating whether a dating or engagement relationship qualifies. The law requires the relationship to be substantive, not just a brief or casual acquaintance.

Minor children can be named as protected parties in a parent's or guardian's petition. Any petitioner may include children in the household in the order's protections.

Because Rhode Island does not have a separate civil harassment order track, people who are targeted by someone outside these qualifying categories should contact law enforcement directly or consult a domestic violence advocate to understand what criminal complaint options may apply.

How to file for a restraining order in Rhode Island

To file for a civil Domestic Abuse Restraining Order in Rhode Island, you submit a petition to the Family Court. The court that handles most civil 15-15 petitions is the Rhode Island Family Court, which has a central courthouse in Providence and handles cases statewide. The District Court also has jurisdiction in some circumstances where parties have cohabited within the past three years.

Under the federal Violence Against Women Act, you cannot be charged a filing fee or a service fee to obtain a domestic violence protective order. Filing is free.

When you submit your petition, you will be asked to complete forms explaining the relationship, the abuse or threat, and what protections you are seeking. The court self-help center can assist with completing forms, and a domestic violence advocate can accompany you to court at no charge. The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (1-800-494-8100) can connect you with a local advocate who is familiar with the process.

After you file, a judge can review your petition and, if you show immediate and irreparable danger, issue a temporary ex parte order the same day. Court staff will explain how and when the respondent will be served and set a date for the full hearing.

Temporary vs. final orders: how long they last

Rhode Island uses a two-stage process common to most states. First, the court can issue an emergency temporary order on an ex parte basis, meaning without the respondent present, if the petitioner's affidavit shows immediate and irreparable injury. That temporary order takes effect immediately and stays in place for up to 21 days, or until the full hearing, whichever is earlier. It can be extended if more time is needed to complete service on the respondent.

The second stage is the final order, issued after the respondent has received notice and both parties have had an opportunity to be heard at a hearing. After a hearing, the court can issue a final Domestic Abuse Restraining Order for a fixed period of up to three years.

Stage	Who is present	How long it lasts
Temporary (ex parte) order	Petitioner only	Up to 21 days until hearing
Final order (after hearing)	Both parties	Up to 3 years; extendable

If the respondent fails to appear at the hearing after being served, the court can still issue a final order. Once a final order is about to expire, the petitioner can return to court and petition for an extension, and the court may renew the order upon a showing that the threat or danger persists.

Firearms and a Rhode Island protective order

A final Domestic Abuse Restraining Order in Rhode Island carries significant firearms consequences. The court may order the respondent to surrender all firearms within 24 hours of the order being issued or served. The respondent must then file proof of surrender or a sworn statement that they possess no firearms within 72 hours of the deadline.

Surrender can be made to the Rhode Island State Police, a local police department, or a federally licensed firearms dealer. This requirement applies for the duration of the order.

In addition, a qualifying final protective order triggers the federal firearm prohibition under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8). Any person subject to such an order is federally prohibited from purchasing, possessing, or receiving any firearm or ammunition. This federal prohibition applies automatically to any qualifying final order issued after notice and a hearing, even if the state order itself does not expressly address firearms.

Violating the firearms surrender requirement or possessing a firearm while subject to a qualifying order can result in both state contempt proceedings and federal criminal charges. If you believe the respondent has not complied with a firearms surrender requirement, notify your local police department and report it to the court.

What happens if someone violates the order?

Violating a Rhode Island Domestic Abuse Restraining Order is a criminal offense. Under RIGL 15-15-3, a violation is a misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to one year in jail. The order is also a court order, so a violation may be treated as contempt of court in addition to the criminal charge.

Police in Rhode Island can make a warrantless arrest on probable cause that a protective order has been violated. You do not need to obtain a warrant before calling law enforcement.

If the respondent contacts you, comes near you, or otherwise violates any term of the order, including no-contact provisions and stay-away requirements, you should call 911 immediately. Preserve any evidence of the violation: save text messages, voicemails, screenshots, emails, or notes with dates and times. Report the violation to the issuing court as soon as possible so the court record is updated.

If the respondent poses an imminent physical threat, call 911 and do not wait. A restraining order is a legal tool, and its effectiveness depends on violations being reported and prosecuted. Advocates at local domestic violence organizations can help you document violations and navigate the court process.

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 Rhode Island Laws

• Rhode Island AI Meeting Recording Laws
• Rhode Island Alimony Laws
• Rhode Island At-Will Employment Laws
• Rhode Island Car Accident Laws
• Rhode Island Car Seat Laws
• Rhode Island Child Custody Laws
• Rhode Island Child Support Laws
• Rhode Island Common Law Marriage Laws
• Rhode Island Data Privacy Laws
• Rhode Island Divorce Laws
• Rhode Island Dog Bite Laws
• Rhode Island Emancipation Laws
• Rhode Island Expungement Laws
• Rhode Island Hit and Run Laws
• Rhode Island Landlord-Tenant Laws
• Rhode Island Lemon Laws

Sources

• RIGL Chapter 15-15 (Domestic Abuse Prevention Act) (official Rhode Island General Laws)
• RIGL Chapter 12-29 (Domestic Violence Prevention Act) (official Rhode Island General Laws)
• Rhode Island Family Court (official court website)

Related pages

For broader context on protective order law and the framework shared across all states, see the Restraining Order Laws by State hub.

If you are documenting incidents of harassment or threats in Rhode Island, understanding Rhode Island recording laws can help you know what recordings are legally permissible as evidence.