Where to Find Help
UPDATED August 17, 2005
To file for a Protective Order in Texas, go to a district or county court, a private attorney, or a legal aid service program. The application must be filed in the county in which you or the abuser lives. There are no minimum time limits to establish residency, and protective orders are available in every county in Texas. You can apply for a Temporary Ex Parte Order at the same time.
At the courthouse, the civil clerk will provide you with the forms that you need to file. If you need assistance filling out the form, ask the clerk for help. You will also find links to online forms at our Download Court Forms page. You may also get help with the court system through one of the domestic violence agencies listed on our TX State and Local Programs page.
Listed below are telephone numbers and addresses for the county courts in Texas. For additional information on the court system in Texas, go to: www.tcfv.org/legislative_and_legal_information.html.