To get an order of protection in Arizona, you file a written, verified petition with a magistrate, justice of the peace, or superior court judge under A.R.S. § 13-3602; no fee may be charged for filing or for service of process, and each court must provide free forms if you don't have a lawyer. The court must issue the order if it finds reasonable cause to believe the defendant may commit domestic violence or did so within the past year (or a longer period for good cause); once the defendant is served the order lasts two years, and the defendant may request one hearing, which the court must hold within ten days (five if exclusive use of the home was awarded) unless it finds good cause to continue it.
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How to get an order of protection in Arizona
Any person may file a verified petition with a magistrate, justice of the peace, or superior court judge for an order of protection to restrain someone from committing an act of domestic violence; if the petitioner is a minor, a parent, legal guardian, or custodian files on the minor's behalf, and a third party may request an order for someone temporarily or permanently unable to do so, subject to the court's approval of that third party [1]. The defendant must have a qualifying domestic relationship with the victim — such as a current or former spouse, a person who resides or resided in the same household, someone who shares a child with the victim, a person by whom the victim (or defendant) is pregnant, certain blood or marital relatives, or a current or former romantic or sexual partner [3]. An order of protection is a distinct remedy from an injunction against harassment, because the injunction-against-harassment statute expressly does not apply to protective orders against domestic violence [4].
What the petition must contain and cost
The petition must state the plaintiff's name (with the plaintiff's address and contact information kept confidential in a separate document, not on the petition itself), the defendant's name and address if known, a specific statement with dates of the alleged domestic violence, the parties' relationship and any pending maternity, paternity, annulment, legal separation, or dissolution action, any prior or pending proceedings concerning the conduct, and the relief desired [1]. No fee may be charged for filing the petition or for service of process, and each court must provide free forms to assist parties without counsel [1]. Note that if a maternity, paternity, annulment, legal separation, or dissolution action is pending between the parties, only the superior court may issue the order [1].
How the court decides
The court reviews the petition, other pleadings, and any evidence offered — including evidence of harassment by electronic contact or communication — and must issue the order without a further hearing if it finds reasonable cause to believe the defendant may commit domestic violence or has committed it within the past year (or a longer period for good cause, excluding time the defendant was incarcerated or out of state) [1]. If the court denies relief, it may schedule a further hearing within ten days with reasonable notice to the defendant [1].
What the order can do
If the order issues, the court may, among other things: enjoin the defendant from committing domestic violence offenses; grant one party exclusive use and possession of the shared residence; restrain the defendant from contacting the plaintiff or coming near the plaintiff's home, workplace, or school; prohibit firearm possession or purchase and order transfer of firearms to law enforcement if the defendant is a credible threat; require completion of a domestic violence offender treatment program after a noticed hearing; grant the plaintiff exclusive care and control of a household animal; and grant other relief necessary for protection [1]. After a hearing, the court may also require the defendant to provide identifying information to the plaintiff — the defendant's residence, place of employment, or vehicle information — on a showing that the defendant has a prior history of harming the plaintiff and that there is reasonable cause to believe physical harm would otherwise result without the disclosure [1].
Service, duration, and enforcement
The court transmits the order to law enforcement or an authorized server, and service has priority over other process not involving an immediate threat to safety [1]. An order not served within one year of issuance expires; once served, it is effective for two years [1]. A peace officer may arrest, with or without a warrant, anyone the officer has probable cause to believe violated the order, and violation is prosecuted as interfering with judicial proceedings [1]. The defendant is entitled to one hearing on written request, held within ten days (or within five days if exclusive use of the home was awarded), after which the court may modify, quash, or continue the order [1].
Emergency orders
When courts are closed, a judge, justice of the peace, magistrate, or commissioner may issue an emergency order of protection by telephone — in larger counties through a rotating on-call judicial officer — based on a peace officer's statement of reasonable grounds that a person is in immediate and present danger of domestic violence, or on the alleged victim's request if life or health is in imminent danger [2]. An emergency order can include the same core restraints (no contact, stay-away, exclusive residence, firearm prohibition) and expires seven calendar days after issuance unless continued [2].
For help with your specific situation, consider consulting a licensed Arizona attorney.
What counts as domestic violence under Arizona law?
Certain listed crimes committed between people in specified family, household, or romantic relationships — the definition an order of protection relies on. Read more →
How do I get an injunction against harassment in Arizona?
You file a free verified petition with an Arizona court; it may be granted on reasonable evidence of harassment within the year before filing, or good cause to believe irreparable harm would otherwise result. Read more →
AI-drafted answer, not attorney-reviewed. Citations verified against azleg.gov. Legal information, not legal advice — consult a licensed attorney for your situation.