Reviewed August 2026
Protective Orders in Connecticut
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233. Connecticut calls its civil family violence order a restraining order. It is granted under Connecticut General Statutes 46b-15. Someone facing a continuous threat, stalking, or a pattern of threatening from a family or household member can apply in Superior Court. There is no fee to file. A Connecticut restraining order can be issued the same day on an ex parte basis if the danger is immediate. It can order no contact and set distance requirements. It can also set temporary custody arrangements for shared children while the case proceeds.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how protective orders works under Connecticut law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Connecticut paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Who qualifies for a restraining order
Connecticut's restraining order statute applies to family or household members. That includes current and former spouses, and people related by blood or marriage. It also covers people who currently live together or have lived together. People with a child in common, or a current or former dating relationship, qualify too. Someone without this kind of family or household connection generally needs a different order. Connecticut handles harassment or stalking claims under a separate civil protection order statute.
Ex parte orders and the full hearing
A Superior Court judge can grant an ex parte restraining order the same day the application is filed, without the respondent present. The judge relies on the applicant's sworn statement. The order takes effect once it is served on the respondent. Connecticut law requires the court to hold a hearing, generally within about 14 days, where the respondent can appear and contest it. If the judge finds grounds after the hearing, the order can be extended for up to a year. It can also be renewed.
Exact scheduling can vary by courthouse. Confirm the hearing date with the clerk of the Superior Court location where you filed.
Filing is free, and where to file
There is no fee to apply for a restraining order in Connecticut. Applications go to the Superior Court, typically in the judicial district where the applicant lives. Connecticut's judicial branch runs family relations offices at courthouses. These offices help applicants who are filing without an attorney.
Firearms provisions
Connecticut law requires a respondent to surrender firearms and ammunition once a restraining order is issued. Law enforcement or the court directs how that surrender happens. Federal law separately bars firearm possession for anyone subject to certain qualifying domestic violence protective orders. Violating a Connecticut restraining order, including the firearms surrender requirement, is a criminal offense.
Restraining orders and divorce or custody cases
A restraining order in Connecticut is a separate civil matter from a divorce or custody case. An applicant does not need a pending family case to apply. The order can still set temporary custody and visitation terms for shared children. It can also set support terms while it is active. If a divorce or custody case is already open, the restraining order is generally handled in the same judicial district so the terms stay consistent.
Sources: Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 815j (Dissolution of Marriage; Family Relations Matters), CGA, Connecticut Judicial Branch, Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, CT Safe Connect 1-888-774-2900
Not independently confirmed
- Exact statutory day count for scheduling the full hearing after an ex parte restraining order; confirm with the filing courthouse.
- Whether every judicial district handles family relations intake identically; confirm with the local Superior Court clerk.
Protective Orders in Connecticut: frequently asked questions
What is a restraining order in Connecticut?+
It is Connecticut's civil family violence order under Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-15. It covers someone facing a continuous threat, stalking, or a pattern of threatening from a family or household member. It can order no contact and require the respondent to surrender firearms while it is active.
Where do I file for a restraining order in Connecticut?+
In the Superior Court, generally in the judicial district where you live. Family relations offices at Connecticut courthouses can help an applicant filing without a lawyer complete the application.
Does it cost money to file in Connecticut?+
No. There is no filing fee for a restraining order application in Connecticut. This keeps the process available to applicants regardless of their finances.
How fast can I get a restraining order in Connecticut?+
A judge can grant an ex parte order the same day, based on the applicant's sworn statement and without notifying the other person first. The order takes effect once the respondent is served, and a full hearing is set for both sides to be heard.
How long does a Connecticut restraining order last?+
After the full hearing, a judge can extend a restraining order for up to a year in Connecticut. The order can be renewed if the applicant still needs protection when it is set to expire.
Can a restraining order affect custody in Connecticut?+
Yes. It can include temporary custody, visitation, and support terms for children the parties share, even without a separate custody case open. If a divorce or custody case already exists, the restraining order is generally handled in the same judicial district.
This page is general information about protective orders in Connecticut, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Connecticut's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Connecticut. Virdix does not prepare or file Connecticut divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Connecticut.
More Connecticut divorce guides
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