How Long do Restraining Orders Last?

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All restraining orders have a time limit.

If the judge grants the request for a Temporary Restraining Order, it will will be good until the Order to Show Cause hearing on the restraining order, which is usually about 3 weeks. Then it will end.
At the hearing, the court can issue a Restraining Order that will last up to 5 years.

The person requesting protection can later ask the court to renew that Restraining Order, either for another 5 years or permanently, whether or not there has been any more violence or threats of violence.

If there is a need for a renewal, the person requesting protection should apply for it at any time within the three months BEFORE his or her original Restraining Order runs out by using a:
- Request to Renew Restraining Order (Form DV-700)

To read an information sheet called "How Do I Ask the Court to Renew My Restraining Order?" (DV-700-INFO) in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean or Vietnamese, click on the language you need:

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