Petition for Protection Order Template – Free Download 2026

Petitioner, [Full Name], hereby petitions this Court for a [Temporary Restraining Order ("TRO") / Protective Order / Injunction Against Harassment / Domestic Violence Restraining Order] against Respondent, [Full Name], pursuant to [applicable statute, e.g., Cal. Fam. Code §§ 6200 et seq. / applicable state domestic violence, harassment, or stalking statute]. Petitioner states under penalty of perjury that the following facts are true and correct and demonstrate that Petitioner has suffered abuse, harassment, stalking, or threat of harm by Respondent as defined by applicable law.

Respondent has engaged in the following specific acts of [domestic violence / abuse / harassment / stalking / threatening conduct] against Petitioner [and/or Petitioner's children]: On [date], Respondent [describe incident 1 with date, location, and specific conduct — e.g., struck Petitioner on the left cheek with a closed fist, causing bruising and swelling; / sent threatening text messages stating "[quote]"; / appeared at Petitioner's workplace despite being told not to come there]. On [date], Respondent [describe incident 2]. On [date], Respondent [describe incident 3]. The incidents described herein are part of a continuing pattern of [violence / harassment / threatening behavior / coercive control] that has caused Petitioner to experience reasonable fear for [his/her/their] safety and wellbeing.

Petitioner has a reasonable apprehension of imminent serious bodily injury based on the following: (a) Respondent's escalating pattern of threatening and violent conduct, including [most recent serious incident]; (b) Respondent's [possession of firearms / explicit verbal threats to kill or harm Petitioner / history of violating prior court orders]; (c) Petitioner's reasonable belief, based on Respondent's conduct and statements, that Respondent is likely to [inflict serious bodily injury / make contact in violation of any order / continue to [stalk / harass / threaten]] Petitioner absent a court order. The immediacy of the threat requires issuance of a TRO without notice to Respondent, as advance notice would likely endanger Petitioner or result in the destruction of evidence.

In support of this Petition, Petitioner submits or is prepared to submit the following evidence at hearing: (a) Petitioner's sworn declaration describing all incidents of abuse and threats; (b) [photographs of injuries / screenshots of threatening text messages and social media posts / medical records documenting injuries]; (c) [police reports filed on [date(s)] / incident report numbers]; (d) declarations of [witnesses who observed the abuse or its aftermath]; and (e) [any prior court orders, including expired or violated restraining orders]. All evidence is either attached hereto or will be presented at the noticed hearing on the permanent order.

Petitioner requests that the [TRO / Protective Order] include the following specific provisions: (a) PERSONAL CONDUCT ORDER: Respondent shall not harass, attack, strike, threaten, assault, batter, stalk, telephone, send messages to, contact, destroy property of, or disturb the peace of Petitioner [or Petitioner's children / other protected persons]; (b) STAY-AWAY ORDER: Respondent shall stay at least [____] yards away from Petitioner, Petitioner's home, Petitioner's workplace at [____________], the children's school(s), and [other locations]; (c) MOVE-OUT ORDER: Respondent shall immediately vacate the residence located at [____________] and shall not return; and (d) FIREARMS: Respondent shall surrender all firearms and ammunition to [law enforcement / licensed dealer] and shall not purchase, receive, or possess any firearm or ammunition while this Order is in effect.

Petitioner and Respondent are the parents of the following minor children: [Child 1 Name, age ____]; [Child 2 Name, age ____]. Petitioner requests that this Court, as part of the [TRO / Protective Order], grant Petitioner sole temporary legal and physical custody of the minor children, with Respondent's visitation suspended or subject to [supervised visitation only at [____________]] pending the hearing on the permanent order, based on: (a) the documented history of domestic violence, which creates a rebuttable presumption under [applicable statute] against awarding custody to the perpetrator of domestic violence; and (b) the reasonable risk that Respondent may use the children to make contact with, intimidate, or further harm Petitioner.

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court: (a) issue a Temporary Restraining Order against Respondent immediately upon review of this Petition and supporting declaration, without notice to Respondent, for the reasons stated herein; (b) schedule a hearing on a permanent [Protective Order / Restraining Order] within the time prescribed by applicable law; (c) at hearing, issue a permanent order incorporating the protections requested herein; (d) make findings consistent with [applicable domestic violence statute] for purposes of custody and firearms; and (e) grant such other and further relief as this Court deems just and necessary to protect the safety and welfare of Petitioner and the minor children.