Order for Protection Against Domestic Violence - Do It Yourself

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Minnesota Courts

Last Updated

07/2023

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Minnesota Guide and File

This free program helps you create the forms to ask the court for an Order for Protection (OFP). These forms are called "Petitioner's Affidavit and Petition for an Order for Protection."

The program works by asking you questions. It uses your answers to fill out your form. You can file your forms with the court electronically. You can also print your forms and take them in person to the court to file.

If you are in danger, CALL 911

This information will help you with paperwork. It cannot protect you from a dangerous person. If you believe you are in danger right now, call the police right away.

Think about getting a lawyer

You should think seriously about getting a lawyer if your case involves harm to a child, concerns about your immigration status, subpoenas for witnesses, written evidence, or expert witnesses like doctors or police. If the person abusing you has a lawyer, you should try to get one, too.

Find a free lawyer for low-income individuals or find a private lawyer.

Before You Begin

Before you start the interview, you need to read the instructions below.

Download Forms

If you do not want to use this program to fill out your forms, you can download blank forms to fill out from the Minnesota Court's website. Click the "Forms" tab and choose the option that best fits your need. There are forms for asking the court for an order, responding to an order you were served with, or an 'all forms' option.

Forms on the Courts website are organized in "packets" and by individual forms. Packets include form instructions and all individual forms. If you are not sure what form you need, start with the Packet and download each individual form in the packet as you need. Some of the forms are Fillable Smart Forms.

Notice about Fillable Smart Forms
Some Minnesota court forms are “Fillable Smart Forms.” For information and help using Fillable Smart Forms, see Technical Support.

About Orders for Protection

What does an Order for Protection do?

An Order for Protection (OFP) is a court order. It orders the abuser not to hurt you. It can make the abuser leave your home and have no contact with you. It can order temporary custody, parenting time or visitiation, as well as child support or alimony payments. It can order the abuser to let you use certain property (like a car you share). You can also ask for other protections.

Are you eligible for an OFP?

To get an OFP, you must be at least 16 years old, and you need to show that you have suffered domestic violence. "Domestic violence" means you have been abused by:

a family member

a spouse (or ex-spouse)

someone you have had a child with

a boyfriend / girlfriend

someone you live with or used to live with

anyone you have had a significant sexual or romantic relationship with

If someone has abused you, but they don't fit into one of the categories above, you may be able to get a "Harassment Restraining Order" instead.

What counts as abuse?

Legally, you have been abused if someone has:

physically harmed you

tried to harm you

made you fear harm

forced you to perform sexual acts against your will

made terroristic threats

tried to stop you from calling 911 for any reason

Can you get an OFP for a child?

Yes, if you are the child's parent, guardian, or other family member. Sometimes, the court lets other adults over 25 get OFPs for children. If you want to apply for a child who has been abused, you will probably need a lawyer.

For more information:

Read the Orders for Protection and Harassment Restraining Orders Booklet.

Read the Orders for Protection and Harassment Orders Fact Sheet.

What You Need Before You Start

You will need certain information to fill out the Order for Protection forms. If you don't know all the answers, that's okay. You can leave some questions blank and still get an OFP. But the more information you give, the better your chances are.

Basic Information About All Parties

You will need to give basic information about yourself, the abuser, and any children that are involved. Basic information includes names, dates of birth, and addresses. If you do not have the exact information for the abuser, you can give as much information as you know.

Earlier Family Court Cases

If you have been involved in earlier family court cases with the abuser, you will need to say where (which county) and when the case took place.

Financial Information If You Want Child or Spousal Support

If you want child support or spousal support, you will need to say how much money you make, how much the abuser makes, and what your expenses are. Expenses can include food, rent or mortgage payments, and utility bills.

Restitution

You can ask the court to order the abuser to pay you back for damage that happened because of the abuse ("restitution"). Damage can include broken property or medical bills. You will need to tell the court how much the damages were. It is helpful if you have copies of bills or other information showing how much you had to pay.

Will I Need A Hearing?

Some of the requests you make to help protect you mean you need to have a hearing in front of a judge. Other types do not. Please read pages 4 through 7 of the Court's instructions for more information about when you will need to have a hearing.