Where to Find Help
UPDATED October 22, 2008
In Massachusetts, during regular business hours, you can get a 209A protective order by going to the District Court nearest to where you live or to the Probate and Family Court in the county in which you live. (You may also go to the Superior Court in the county in which you live, or to the Boston Municipal Court if you live in Boston, but most 209A protective orders are taken out of the District Courts or Probate and Family Courts.) Find the civil court clerk and ask for the forms for a 209A protective order.
At the courthouse, the 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 a list of the forms you will need on our Download Court Forms page. You may also get help with the court system through one of the domestic violence organizations listed on our MA State and Local Programs page.
If you need a 209A protective order at night, on the weekend, or on a holiday, call the police. They will help you get a 209A protective order from a judge on call through the "Emergency Judicial Response System." This order is good until the court is open on the next business day.
Listed below, by county, are telephone numbers and addresses for the Massachusetts District Courts. For more information on the Massachusetts Court system, go to: www.akedge.com/courts.htm.
Waltham
38 Linden Street
Waltham, MA 02452
Phone: (781) 894-4500 x249
Phone: Victim Witness Advocate: (781) 897-8656 or (781)897-8657
Town's in this court's jurisdiction: Middlesex County, Waltham, Watertown, Weston
West Newton
1309 Washington Street
West Newton, MA 02465
Phone: (617)244-3600 x211
Phone: Victim Witness Advocate: (781) 897-8625
Town's in this court's jursidication: Newton
West Wareham
2200 Cranberry Hwy
West Wareham, MA 02576
Phone: (508) 295-8300 x367
Town's in this court's jurisdiction: Carver, Lakeville, Marion, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, Rochester, Wareham
Westborough
186 Oak Street
Westborough, MA 01581
Phone: (508) 366-8266 x119
Phone: Victim Witness Advocate: (508) 366-8266 x144
Town's in this court's jurisdiction: Worcester County, Grafton, Northborough, Shrewbury, Southborough, Westborough
Westfield
Courthouse Square
224 Elm Street
Westfield, MA 01085
Phone: (413) 568-8946 x2014 or x2017
Town's in this court's jurisdiction: Hampden County, Agawam, Blandford, Chester, Granville, Montgomery, Russell, Southwick, Tolland, Westfield
Winchendon
80 Central Street
Winchendon, MA 01475
Phone: (978) 297-0156 x24
Town's in this court's jurisdiction: Worcester County, Ashburnham, Winchendon, Phillipston, Royalston, Templeton
Woburn
30 Pleasant Street
Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: (781)935-4000 (choose option for criminal clerk’s office)
Town's in this court's jurisdiction: Middlesex County, Burlington, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, Wilmington, Winchester, Woburn
Worchester
225 Main Street
Worchester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 831-2087 (civil clerk’s office)
Town's in this court's jurisdiction: Auburn, Millbury, Worcester
Wrentham
60 East Street
Wrentham, MA 02093
Phone: (508)384-3106 x231
Phone: Victim Witness Advocate: (508) 384-3788
Town's in this court's jurisdiction: Norfolk County, Foxborough, Franklin, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, Plainville, Walpole, Wrentham