Reviewed August 2026
Protective Orders in Delaware
If you're in immediate danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233. Delaware calls its civil protection order a Protection From Abuse order, or PFA. Family Court handles these cases under Title 10 of the Delaware Code. You can petition for a PFA if you were abused by a family or household member, a current or former spouse, or a co-parent. Filing costs nothing. Family Court can grant a temporary PFA the same day if the danger is immediate. After a hearing, a final PFA can order no contact, require the respondent to move out of a shared home, 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 Delaware law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Delaware paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Who qualifies for a PFA
Delaware's Protection From Abuse law covers family or household members. That includes current and former spouses, and people related by blood or marriage. It also covers people who live together, or who lived together as a household. People with a child in common qualify too, as do people in a current or former dating relationship. This family or household connection sets a PFA case apart from a general no-contact order between people who lack that relationship.
Temporary orders and the final hearing
If you show immediate and present danger, you can get a temporary ex parte PFA the same day, before the respondent is notified. That order takes effect once served and stays in place until the full hearing. Family Court generally schedules the final hearing within about two weeks of the temporary order. Both sides get a chance to present their case. A final PFA in Delaware can last up to two years, and the court can extend it.
Exact hearing scheduling depends on which Family Court location handles the case. Confirm the date and any required paperwork with the court clerk.
Filing is free, and where to file
Filing a Protection From Abuse petition in Delaware costs nothing. You file in Family Court, in the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse happened. Delaware Family Court runs courthouses in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. Each one accepts PFA filings for its county.
Firearms provisions
Delaware law lets the court order a respondent to surrender firearms while a PFA is in effect. A final PFA usually includes this requirement when the underlying conduct involved a weapon or a credible threat. Separately, federal law bars firearm possession for anyone subject to certain qualifying domestic violence protective orders. Violating a Delaware PFA is a criminal offense.
PFAs and divorce or custody cases
A PFA case in Delaware Family Court is separate from a divorce or custody case. You don't need either one open to request a PFA. The PFA can still set temporary custody and visitation terms for shared children while it's active. Family Court also handles divorce and custody matters, so a PFA case and a related custody case are often coordinated within the same courthouse.
Sources: Delaware Code Online, Title 10 (Courts and Judicial Procedure), Delaware Courts, Family Court, Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Not independently confirmed
- Exact scheduling window for the final PFA hearing can vary by Family Court location; confirm with the filing courthouse.
- DCADV publishes regional crisis lines by county rather than a single statewide number; confirm the current county-specific number on their site.
Protective Orders in Delaware: frequently asked questions
What is a Protection From Abuse order in Delaware?+
It's Delaware's civil protective order for family or household abuse, handled in Family Court under Title 10 of the Delaware Code. It applies to spouses, family and household members, co-parents, and current or former dating partners. It can require no contact while it's active.
Where do I file for a PFA in Delaware?+
In Family Court, in the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse occurred. Delaware Family Court has locations in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties, and each can accept PFA petitions.
Does it cost money to file in Delaware?+
No. Delaware Family Court charges no filing fee for a Protection From Abuse petition.
How fast can I get protection in Delaware?+
The court can grant a temporary ex parte PFA the same day if you show immediate danger, before the other person is notified. That order stays in effect until the full hearing. Delaware Family Court generally schedules that hearing within about two weeks.
How long does a PFA last in Delaware?+
A final PFA issued after a hearing can last up to two years in Delaware. The court can extend it if you still need protection when the order is set to expire.
Can a PFA affect custody in Delaware?+
Yes. A PFA can include temporary custody and visitation terms for children the parties share, even without a separate custody case filed. The same Family Court handles both PFA and custody matters, so related cases are often coordinated together.
This page is general information about protective orders in Delaware, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Delaware's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Delaware. Virdix does not prepare or file Delaware divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Delaware.
More Delaware divorce guides
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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 Delaware, 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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