Protective Orders
About Protective Orders
A protective order is a court order that tells the person who has hurt you or has threatened to hurt you to stop. It can also tell that person not to contact you and your family or household members. The order can also tell the abusive person not to go where you live or work.
There is no fee for filing a family abuse protective order.
Emergency Protective Order
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. A law enforcement officer can assist you with obtaining an emergency protective order.
Temporary COVID-19 Protective Order Procedures
If you have been exposed to COVID-19 and need a protective order, temporary protocols (PDF) have been put into place if you cannot enter the courthouse.
Online Protective Orders Form Assistance
I-CAN! Virginia is a free online program that provides assistance with the preparation of court forms required to file for a protective order. I-CAN! Virginia is also available in Spanish. Begin your I-CAN! Virginia Session.
HOPE Cards
HOPE cards are available for victims of domestic and sexual violence who have obtained long-term protective orders. The laminated wallet-sized HOPE card provides the essential information that law enforcement officers need to confirm the details of a valid protective order.
The free cards are available to holders of a final civil protective order for domestic violence, stalking and/or sexual assault issued in Loudoun County. To qualify for a Hope Card, the protective order must be for 12 months or longer. For more information, contact either:
- Loudoun County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Clerk’s Office, 703 777-0300 or by email
- Loudoun County Juvenile Court Service Unit, 703-777-0303
Frequently Asked Questions
The following information was taken from the Virginia State Supreme Court website, from the section titled "Additional Filing Information for a Family Abuse Protective Order." More information can be found on that site, however some of the most commonly asked questions are listed below.
Sample HOPE Card
- Is there a fee for filing a Family Abuse Protective Order?
- What should I bring with me when I come to file?
- When can I file for a Family Abuse Protective Order?
- What should I do if I feel I am in immediate danger?
- What should I do if an Emergency Protective Order that was issued expires before I am able to have a petition for the Family Abuse Protective Order reviewed?
- Do I need a lawyer to file for a Family Abuse Protective Order?
- What should I do if I am the person named as “respondent” in a Family Abuse Protective Order?
- How will I know when the Protective Order is served on the person from whom I want protection?