Restraining Orders

To get a copy of the forms for a protective order, go to your local district court or superior court,¹ or your local domestic violence or sexual assault organization may assist you in filling them out. You also have the option of downloading the forms and instructions from the Alaska Courts website or using their “Petition Wizard,” which asks you a series of questions and fills out the forms for you.

On the petition (and in court), you are called the “petitioner”. The person you are getting a protective order against is called the “respondent.” The Alaska courts website provides detailed instructions for filing, which are summarized in this following “steps.” It may be helpful to read through both before starting to fill out the paperwork. To find the courthouse near you, go to Alaska Courthouse Locations.

You may request either an ex parte 20-day order for immediate protection or a hearing for a final one-year order, or both. When you finish filling out the petition, you need to return it to the court clerk at your local courthouse. Do not sign the petition until you are in front of the court clerk. Your signature must be notarized because you are making your written statements under oath. The court clerk will notarize your petition free of charge.²

Note: When you fill out the section entitled “Information About Petitioner,” you need to provide an address where the court can send mail to you. Do not give the actual address where you are staying if you think it will be dangerous for the abuser to know where you are. Instead, if possible, give the address of a friend or relative who can make sure you get any mail the court sends.²

¹ Alaska Statute § 18.66.100(a)
² See the AK Court System Instructions “How to Get a Domestic Violence Protective Order”