Can I File A Protection?
Stalking Cases: If you are in fear for your safety because of stalking, you may file a Protection from Stalking (PFS) case.
Abuse Cases: If you are being abused by an intimate partner or member of your household, you may seek a restraining order by filing a Protection from Abuse (PFA) case.
Filing for Protection
The State of Kansas has created an online portal for filing both stalking and abuse protection.
What forms do I need to begin the process?
The Clerk of the District Court provides the forms and instructions for filing a PFS or PFA. To get to more information about these orders and the process, please download the appropriate Protection Forms and Instructions document (PFS or PFA). You also may file a PFS on behalf of your child or a child living with you. Link to forms below.
Helpful Hints for Filing a Protection from Abuse or Stalking Petition
- As the person filing the petition, you are the plaintiff. There can only be one adult plaintiff per petition. Please provide your name, birthdate, address, phone number, and email where you can be reached.
The defendant is the person that you are seeking protection from. You may only have one defendant per petition, unless the defendant is a minor child. Please provide defendant’s first and last name, date of birth, addresses, and their physical description.
If you are wanting protection for your children:
Please list them as plaintiffs after your name.
You must fill out the UCCJEA Form - Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act Form. If you are filling out the UCCJEA form, be sure to fill out box #3. Box #3 is very important!
If the defendant is a minor child, please write “by and through their parent” i.e. “Carl Smith Jr., minor, by and through parent, Carl Smith Sr.”.
Please answer question #1 on the petition. This question is asking who you are seeking to protect: yourself, minor children, or yourself and minor children.
The information you provide on question #5 on the PFA form and question #6 on the PFS form is the only information that the judge will have to base their decision on. The judges do not have access to police reports, unless you provide them with your petition. Please be as detailed as possible. If you need additional room to answer, do not write on the back of the pages, instead write on new paper.
Fill out the petition to the best of your abilities by answering every question. You may also fill out your petition using the online portal.
Sign the petition before turning it in.
Related Forms
Stalking Cases
PFSSA Forms and Instructions at the Kansas Judicial Council website
Filing Online for Protection from Stalking: KSPOP.org
Abuse Cases
PFA Forms and Instructions at the Kansas Judicial Council website
Filing for Protection from Abuse Online
Other Kinds Of Restraining Orders
Can I file another type of restraining order besides a protection from abuse or stalking?
Obtaining a restraining order for reasons other than abuse or stalking must be done through a separate civil action.
How could I begin that process?
You may want to consult an attorney to obtain a restraining order in these cases, because the clerk's office does not provide forms or an instruction booklet. Check the Court Resources page for links about finding an attorney.