Reviewed August 2026
Protective Orders in Alaska
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233. Alaska's civil protection order is called a domestic violence protective order. It is authorized under AS 18.66.100 and following. A person who has experienced abuse from a household member, family member, dating partner, or co-parent can ask the court for protection. The petition does not cost anything to file. Alaska allows two versions of this order. A short-term order can be issued the same day without notice to the other person. A longer-term order follows a hearing where both sides can be heard. Either version can order no contact, set distance requirements, and set temporary custody arrangements for shared children.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how protective orders works under Alaska law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Alaska paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Who qualifies for a protective order
Alaska's domestic violence statute covers people connected through household or family relationships. That includes current and former spouses, and adults related by blood or marriage. It also covers people who live together or used to live together. People with a child in common or a current or former dating relationship qualify too. The law is built around this kind of household or intimate connection. A dispute with a neighbor who was never a household or dating partner generally falls outside this statute.
Short-term and long-term orders
A petitioner who shows an immediate need for protection can ask for an ex parte short-term order. A court can grant this the same day without the respondent present. That order generally lasts up to 20 days. To get protection beyond that, the petitioner asks for a long-term order. This requires a hearing where the respondent has a chance to respond. A long-term Alaska protective order can last up to a year and can be renewed.
Exact hearing scheduling can vary by judicial district. Confirm the hearing date and any local paperwork requirements with the court clerk where you filed.
Filing is free, and where to file
Alaska does not charge a fee to file for a domestic violence protective order. Petitions are filed in the state court serving the area where the petitioner lives. Self-represented petitioners can get the standard petition forms from the Alaska Court System. The clerk's office can confirm which local court handles protective order filings in that judicial district.
Firearms provisions
Alaska law allows a judge to order a respondent to refrain from possessing a deadly weapon while a protective order is in effect. Federal law separately restricts firearm possession for a person subject to certain qualifying domestic violence protective orders. A respondent who violates a protective order in Alaska, including a no-contact or firearm restriction, can face criminal charges.
Protective orders and divorce or custody cases
A domestic violence protective order in Alaska is a separate civil case from divorce or custody proceedings. A petitioner does not need an open divorce case to request one. The order can still set temporary custody and visitation terms for shared children while it is active. If a divorce or custody case already exists, let that court know about the protective order so the two matters can be handled consistently.
Sources: Alaska Statutes Title 18, Chapter 66 (Domestic Violence), Alaska State Legislature, Alaska Court System, Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Not independently confirmed
- ANDVSA is a statewide coalition and does not run a single crisis hotline; it directs callers to local member programs, so this page uses the National Domestic Violence Hotline number only.
- Exact hearing scheduling timelines can vary by judicial district; confirm with the local court clerk.
Protective Orders in Alaska: frequently asked questions
What is a domestic violence protective order in Alaska?+
It is a civil court order under AS 18.66.100 that protects someone from abuse by a household member, family member, dating partner, or co-parent. It can require no contact, set a safe distance, and address temporary custody, and it exists separately from any criminal case against the abuser.
Where do I file for a protective order in Alaska?+
In the state court serving the area where you live. The Alaska Court System provides the standard petition forms, and the clerk's office in your judicial district can confirm the correct court and process for filing.
Does it cost money to file in Alaska?+
No. There is no filing fee for a domestic violence protective order petition in Alaska. The process is designed to be accessible without upfront cost to the person seeking protection.
How fast can I get protection in Alaska?+
A court can grant a short-term ex parte order the same day if you show immediate danger, without notifying the other person first. That order generally lasts up to 20 days while a hearing is scheduled for a longer-term order.
How long does an Alaska protective order last?+
A short-term ex parte order generally lasts up to 20 days. A long-term order, granted after a hearing where both sides can appear, can last up to a year and may be renewed if the need for protection continues.
Can the order affect custody of my children?+
Yes. An Alaska protective order can include temporary custody and visitation terms for children the petitioner and respondent have together, even without a separate custody case open. If a divorce or custody case is already filed, tell that court about the protective order.
This page is general information about protective orders in Alaska, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Alaska's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Alaska. Virdix does not prepare or file Alaska divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Alaska.
More Alaska divorce guides
Virdix currently serves California and Florida
In the states Virdix serves, it guides you through that state's own court forms so your paperwork is complete and consistent before you file. If you're filing in Alaska, the resources above are the right place to start, and the form above will tell you the moment Virdix reaches your state.
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