Orders of Protection

Orders of ProtectionIf you would like to request a protective order, but do not know which kind of order is appropriate for your circumstance, you can download a PDF of the Protective Orders Comparison Sheet, which explains the different legal remedies available.

Domestic Violence advocacy organizations may be of assistance to those seeking or responding to Orders of Protection. Advocates may be immediately available at the court house; however, they may also be busy assisting others. If you would like to speak to a Domestic Violence advocate, you can call the Illinois Domestic Violence Help Line at (877)863-6339. This is a toll-free, confidential, multilingual 24-hr information service staffed by trained personnel. They can answer any question that you may have as well as refer you to advocates who may be able to provide you with additional help.

A. If you are a seeking a protective order, you may obtain assistance in three ways:

• Online with assistance, before arriving at the courthouse:
  • You can choose to use an online program that assists you in understanding how to fill out all the paperwork needed for an order of protection and print it out at home. Once completed, bring it to the Clerk’s Office at the appropriate courthouse. To access this helpful online program, click here: https://turbocourt.com/go.jsp?act=actShowAppInfo&appcode=elf-chicago-dv&courtcode=Cook
• Obtain paperwork online without assistance:
  • There are no programs to assist with Stalking No Contact Orders or Civil No Contact Orders, but you can still access the needed paperwork online and fill it out before bringing it to the courthouse. To locate the paperwork, click here: http://www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org/?section=FormsPage
• At the courthouse:
  • There may be assistance available for you at the courthouse. Services provided at each Domestic Violence Division site are as follows:
    • First Municipal District – Chicago
      • Go directly to the screening room, rm. 1400, and check-in at the help desk. There is a variety of assistance available to you. The help desk staff will refer you to the appropriate assistance within the building.
    • Suburban Municipal Districts
      • Go to the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office and tell personnel you want to file a protective order. If you require assistance if filling it out, personnel can direct you to the appropriate resources within the building. Otherwise, the clerk can give you the required paperwork and you can fill it out by yourself. After the paperwork is completed, it must be returned to the clerk’s office for filing. They will then direct you to the courtroom for your case to be called.

B. If there is a protective order entered against you:

• The location, date, time, and court room number are located at the bottom of the order. Please refer to that information to locate where and when you must appear in court.
• A brochure of services you may need as a respondent of a protective order is available for download. Click here.
• An information video is a also available.  For English, click here.  For Spanish, Click here.