Legal Information: Missouri

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
October 18, 2022

In which county can I file for an order of protection?

You can file a petition in the county where you live, in the county where the domestic violence took place, or in any county where the defendant can be served with the petition.1 Note: The order of protection can be issued in a Missouri court even if you are in Missouri on a temporary basis as long as the domestic violence has occurred, has been attempted, or has been threatened within the state of Missouri. If there was additional domestic violence that happened outside of Missouri, you can include these incidents as a way to demonstrate your need for protection.2

1 MO ST § 455.015
2 MO ST § 455.032

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