A Protection from Abuse Order
Ala. Code § 30-5-7 — an ex parte order at once, a final order after a hearing, and no fees for filing
A person 18 or older, or emancipated, who is a victim of abuse, or who reasonably believes they are in imminent danger of it, may file a sworn petition. A parent, guardian or the Department of Human Resources may file for a child or someone unable to file. Abuse covers crimes such as assault, harassment, stalking, menacing, trespass, coercion, sexual abuse and theft.
Who handles this in Alabama: Alabama Supreme Court and State Law Library, Self-Help and Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Alabama directory.
- Without notice or a hearing, the court can issue an ex parte order barring abuse, threats, harassment and contact.
- It can keep the defendant at least 300 feet from the plaintiff's home, school or work, remove the defendant from the home whoever owns it, and award temporary custody.
- After notice and a hearing, whether or not the defendant appears, the court can issue a final order, with supervised visitation, support and fees. A final order lasts until a court changes it, unless it says otherwise.
No fees, and the address kept private. No court costs or fees are charged to file, issue, serve or enforce a protection order, though the court may assess them against the defendant. The plaintiff's home and work addresses and phone numbers stay off any document the clerk makes public, and the plaintiff may file without a lawyer.
A copy of a notice of hearing or an order goes to the plaintiff within 24 hours of issuance, and the order is entered in the state's protection order registry for law enforcement.
Sources for this section (4)
- Ala. Code § 30-5-5 — Standing to File Sworn Petition for Protection Order; Disclosure of Information; Costs and Fees
- Ala. Code § 30-5-7 — Ex Parte Orders or Modification of Protection Order
- Ala. Code § 30-5-8 — Notice of Hearing or Other Order to Be Sent to Parties; Registration of Information; Automated Process; Additional Fines
- Ala. Code § 30-5-2 — Definitions
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Alabama attorney.