How to Check If a Protection Order Exists (and What You Can/Can’t See)

A protection order is a court order that prevents one person from contacting or approaching another person. It may sometimes include rules about location, phones, or other behavior. These orders are meant to address safety concerns, including harassment, threats, or domestic disputes. 

Depending on the state, the terminology can differ. Some states refer to them as protective orders, while others use terms such as restraining orders or no-contact orders. Although the name differs, the purpose is the same: to restrict contact legally.

People often want to know if such an order exists–whether for themselves, a family member, or someone else. You may also want to check the status of an order–whether active, expired, or dismissed. It is important to know that the process of verifying whether a protective order exists varies by court and jurisdiction. Some courts allow online lookups, while others require in-person requests. 

What you can actually see is also limited. In many jurisdictions, only parties and their attorneys have access to the full documents, while members of the public have restricted access.

Verifying if a protection order exists requires taking practical steps. These steps include

• Understanding the concept and scope of a protection order,
• Knowing the difference between civil and criminal protection orders, 
• Knowing what information is typically available to the public, and 
• Where you can request official confirmation or copies.

What Is a Protection Order? (Types, Scope, and Who Issues It)

A protection order, also called an order of protection or protective order in some jurisdictions, is a court-issued document that legally restricts or limits one person’s actions towards another. 

The primary purpose of a protective order is to limit contact, ensure the individual's safety, and prevent harassment, abuse, threats, or harm to the individual. The different types of protective orders are as follows:

• Emergency or Temporary Orders: These are short-term orders intended to provide immediate safety, typically granted quickly to protect someone in danger. They act as a shield until a court hearing can take place.
• Long-Term or Final Orders: A long-term protective order is granted only after a court hearing where both you and the other person can share your side with the judge. The judge will not issue the protective order unless both sides attend the hearing. These orders are long-term, lasting months or years, depending on state law.
• Anti-Harassment Orders: This order instructs someone to cease bothering, threatening, or intimidating another person, regardless of whether they have a close or familial relationship with them. It is usually issued when repeated behavior has caused fear, stress, or serious annoyance to the victim.
• Domestic Violence Protection Orders: They are issued for the protection of individuals in intimate or family relationships. It is a court order that keeps an alleged abuser away from a partner, family member, or household member to prevent further harm or threats.
• No-Contact Order: A no-contact order means you cannot reach out or come near the protected person in any way, including making no visits, calls, emails, or using social media or others to deliver messages. 
• Restraining Order: A restraining order is a court order typically associated with family law cases that limits the actions one person can take against another. It can include rules such as no contact, staying away from certain places, not damaging property, or even moving out of a shared home.

A protection order is issued by a judge or magistrate after reviewing a petition from someone seeking protection. The court issues and enforces the order. An order of protection outlines rules such as prohibiting in-person contact, phone calls, or messages, staying away from someone’s home, workplace, or school, and surrendering firearms if necessary.

What You Can and Can’t See in Public Records

Most courts treat protective order cases as sensitive. Therefore, not all information on an order of protection is publicly available. Here’s a breakdown of what you can access and what is restricted from the public. 

What you can usually see

• Case caption and number.
• Filling and hearing dates.
• Type of orders and basic terms.
• Docket entries.
• Status of the order.
• Court and judge or magistrate’s name.
• Court location.
• Expiration or review dates.
• Public orders, if not sealed.

What is Usually Restricted, Sealed, or Redacted

• Detailed victim contact information.
• Minor children’s names or identifying details.
• Medical, therapy, or counselling records.
• Mental-health information.
• Detailed allegations, witness statements, or sensitive evidence.
• Photos, crime-scene details, or other materials that could risk safety.
• Detailed information on how the respondent was served.
• Ex parte petitions and temporary emergency filings.
• Parts of the transcripts or filings that were specifically ordered sealed by the judge.

Despite the restrictions, certain parties may access information that is typically restricted to the public. Parties and their attorneys typically receive fuller access, including some documents that are not open to the public. 

Similarly, law enforcement officers may also access relevant details on protective orders, usually for enforcement purposes. 

How to Check If a Protection Order Exists (Step by Step)

Want to check whether a protective order exists? Here is a step-by-step guide that works across all states. 

TRACK A - You are a Party (or Attorney) to the Case

• Identify the likely court and jurisdiction. Orders of protection are typically filed in family, domestic relations, or local civil courts. Additionally, criminal no-contact orders may appear in criminal court.
• Check the court’s online case search or e-filing portal. Search by party name, case number, or date range.
• If you’re an attorney, log in to your e-filing account. Download available orders, notices, and filings.
• Call or visit the court clerk’s office. Provide your name and relation to the case; ask the clerk to confirm the existence and status of a protection order. You can also request certified copies. If the clerk says documents are sealed or restricted, ask about the process for obtaining access; typically, a court order is required to gain access.
• Verify service and enforcement status with local law enforcement. The police can confirm whether the order was served and whether it’s active for enforcement.

TRACK B - You are a Member of the Public or a Third Party

• Begin your search at the court’s public case search. Enter party names, approximate dates, county, or the judge/courtroom. Use the official court website only.
• If the online search shows a case number or docket entry, note the case number and the docket entries that indicate whether an order exists.
• If you can’t find results online, call or visit the clerk’s office. Ask whether a protective order exists. Provide the clerk with the details you have, including name, county, and approximate filing date.
• Ask about on-site viewing vs. getting copies. Most courts allow public viewing of non-sealed documents on public terminals at the courthouse, but restrict printing.
• Ask what is public and what is restricted. Many courts will confirm the existence or status but will not disclose sensitive details, like addresses, victim-identifying information, or sealed filings.
• If you need a copy for official reasons, ask the clerk what documentation they can provide. Usually, the clerk can issue an introductory status letter to confirm that an order exists without disclosing protected information.
• If the clerk denies access because the file is sealed, ask them to explain the steps to request access. Usually, it involves filing a motion or court order.
• Contact law enforcement if you require confirmation of enforcement. Police can verify the existence and enforceability of a protective order even when the records aren’t public.

Similarly, RecordsFinder can help you check if a protection order exists as follows:

• On RecordsFinder, use the “Court Records Search” Feature.
• Enter identifying information, such as the person who might have the order against them, the city or state, and the case number if known.
• Search civil/family court cases. Many protection orders live in civil or family court records, so look specifically for court cases, not just criminal records alone
• Check the case details. If you find the record, look for information labeled “Protection Order,” Restraining Order,” or “Order of Protection.”

Free and Low-Cost Ways to Verify Status (Copies, Service, and Expiration)

If you want to confirm whether a protection order exists, if it was served, and when it expires without spending money or spending very little, here’s a quick guide on how to proceed. To verify protective orders for free, use the following options:

• Search the court’s public case search online. Many courts allow you to see docket entries and basic status for free.
• View documents on a courthouse public terminal. You can view electronic case files on-site at no cost.
• Call or visit the court clerk’s office. Ask whether an order exists, whether it is active or expired, and whether the file is sealed. Basic confirmations are usually free. Additionally, some clerks may provide a brief written confirmation to verify whether an order is in existence.
• Ask local law enforcement. The police can confirm whether an order is active and whether it is served for enforcement purposes.
• Use victim-service or court self-help centers. They offer free local resources to help you locate case information and confirm the status of a protective order.

If the goal is to verify the status of a protective order, but at a very affordable cost, try the following:

• Request an uncertified electronic copy. It is less expensive than certified copies, but may not be accepted for legal purposes.
• Order only the pages you need. Request a specific order or a short date range instead of the entire file to lower per-page costs.
• Request an emailed scan instead of a mailed paper. Electronic delivery eliminates the cost of shipping and scanning.
• Ask for a clerk’s written confirmation. Some clerks provide a short, signed status letter for a small fee or at no charge.
• Request audio instead of a typed transcript. If a hearing wasn’t transcribed, audio copies are sometimes less expensive.
• If you are a party and can’t afford copies, ask about indigent or fee-waiver procedures. Courts sometimes reduce or waive fees if you qualify.

Civil vs. Criminal Protective Orders (Key Differences That Affect Your Search)

When determining whether a protective order exists, it is helpful to know whether it’s a civil order, such as a family or domestic restraining order, or tied to a criminal case. This difference affects where the record is held, who issued it, and how you should locate it. 

Civil protective orders and criminal protective orders serve similar safety goals but come from different parts of the court system. Civil protective orders come from civil or family court cases. It is usually filed by a private person seeking protection. Criminal protective orders, on the other hand, are issued by a criminal court judge or prosecutor in criminal cases, usually as part of the criminal charges or as a condition of bail. It is sometimes entered automatically when someone is arrested or charged with a crime.

To access civil protective orders:

• Search the family or civil court public case lookup web tool on the county court website.
• Check the court's protective/restraining order or domestic relations docket.
• Contact the family/civil clerk and request the case file by the petitioner’s/respondent’s name, or by date.
• Visit the courthouse public terminal if the online search fails.

If you think it’s a criminal protective order:

• Search the criminal case docket for the defendant. It is sometimes listed under the arrest or case number.
• Check the prosecutor's office. They can confirm whether a protective condition was filed with the charge.
• Call the criminal clerk or criminal division and ask if protective conditions were entered in a given criminal case.
• Ask local law enforcement. Police records typically note active criminal protective orders for enforcement purposes.

FAQs About Protection Orders

Here are common questions people ask about protection orders, with simplified answers.

How can I check if a protection order exists without a case number?

You can search by party names at the court clerk’s office or online court portal. Also, you may call the clerk and ask them to look it up for you.

Is a protection order the same as a restraining order?

Yes. In many jurisdictions, the terms “protection orders” vs “restraining orders” are used interchangeably, but refer to the same type of court order. It is mostly a difference in terminology across states, they serve the same purpose.

How do I confirm if the order was served and is still active?

Contact the court clerk or local law enforcement; they can confirm the service status and determine whether the order is currently enforceable.

Does a protective order go on your record?

Yes. Whether a protective order goes on your record depends on the type–civil orders may appear in court records, while criminal protective orders can appear in criminal history files.

How do I find protection orders for free?

Use the official court’s public access portal or visit the clerk’s office. Basic docket details are usually free, but copies or certified documents may incur a fee. You may also request law enforcement’s enforcement status at no cost.