Search Tips

Civil Protection Orders

What is a Civil Protection Order?

In North Dakota, a civil protection order is civil court process where a District Court Judge or Judicial Referee can order a person, the restrained individual, to stop doing any or all of the following:

  1. Contacting, harassing, injuring, intimidating, molesting, threatening, touching, stalking, sexually assaulting, or abusing any protected individual;
  2. Entering or remaining on premises, such as home, school, work, or daycare;
  3. Coming within a specified distance of the protected individual or premises; or
  4. Any other action necessary to protect the protected individual from imminent danger to life or health.

What Types of Civil Protection Orders are Available in North Dakota?

In North Dakota, a civil protection order may be one of the following:

Domestic Violence Protection Order – Protection from the restrained individual, who is a family or household member, and who committed one or more acts of domestic violence against the protected individual(s).

  • Domestic Violence includes physical harm, bodily injury, stalking, sexual activity compelled by physical force, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, sexual activity compelled by physical force, or assault.

Sexual Assault Restraining Order – Protection from the restrained individual who committed sexual assault against the protected individual(s).

Disorderly Conduct Restraining Order – Protection from the restrained individual who committed intrusive or unwanted acts, words, or gestures intended to adversely affect the safety, security, or privacy of the protected individual(s).

Who Can Petition (Ask) for a Civil Protection Order?

The Petitioner is the person who requests a civil protection order. The Petitioner may be:

  1. An adult requesting protection for themselves;
  2. A minor child (under 18 years old) of sufficient and competent age requesting protection for themselves; or
  3. A parent, guardian, or attorney guardian ad litem requesting protection on behalf of a minor child.

If the Judge or Judicial Referee issues a civil protection order, the order lists the Protected Individuals who are protected by the civil protection order.

The Respondent is the individual from whom the Petitioner asks for protection. The Petition for Civil Protection Order can only list one Respondent.

If the Judge or Judicial Referee issues a civil protection order against the Respondent, the Respondent is called the Restrained Individual in the civil protection order.

Civil Protection Order Forms

North Dakota Legal Self Help Center forms aren’t official court forms and courts aren’t required to accept them. There’s no guarantee that all judges and courts will accept forms available through the Center. Use at your own risk.

Forms aren't available for every situation or circumstance. If you don't find a form that suits your circumstances on this website, the form isn't available through the North Dakota Legal Self Help Center.

You may need to create legal documents yourself. The General-Use forms on this website may be used as a starting point for creating your own legal documents.

Forms to Ask for a Civil Protection Order

You may get help filling out the forms from a Certified Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Advocate. North Dakota Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition has a statewide online directory of victim advocacy centers.

The Petition for Civil Protection Order includes all three types of civil protection orders available in North Dakota.

No Forms for Responding to a Petition for a Civil Protection Order

No forms are available for responding to a petition for a Civil Protection Order. The court process required by North Dakota Century Code Chapter 14-07.7 doesn’t include a written response by the person listed as the Respondent in the Petition.

If you’re served a Temporary Civil Protection Order, the order includes a date, time, and location of the hearing to decide whether the order becomes permanent. Attend the hearing to respond to the accusations in the Petition for Civil Protection Order and to present your own evidence.

Selected Statutes (Laws) & Rules

Following are legal research starting points related to civil protection orders. You may need to conduct additional legal research into your legal issue. See the Legal Research Section of this website.

Other Resources

Following are other resources related to civil protection orders that may be of interest.

If you don’t understand any of this information, or if you have trouble filling out any of the forms located here, consult a lawyer.

The information provided on and obtained from this site doesn’t constitute the official record of the Court. This information is provided as a service to the general public. Any user of this information is hereby advised that it is being provided "as is". The information provided may be subject to errors or omissions. Visitors to this site agree that the Court isn’t liable for errors or omissions of any of the information provided.

If you have a question relating to a case that is already filed please contact the clerk of court for the county.