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Legal Information: Virginia

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
December 19, 2023

In which county can I file for a protective order?

You can file a petition in the county where you live, in the county where the abuser lives, or in the county where the abuse took place. If there is already another protective order in effect that protects you or your family or household member(s), you have the option of filing your petition in that county.1

1 Va. Code § 16.1-243(A)(3)