Reviewed August 2026
Protective Orders in Idaho
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233. Idaho calls this protective order a protection order. The Domestic Violence Crime Prevention Act, Idaho Code 39-6301 and following, authorizes it. A person abused by a family or household member, a current or former spouse, or a co-parent can petition the court. Filing costs nothing. An Idaho court can grant an ex parte protection order the same day if the danger is immediate. A judge who grants an order after a full hearing can require no contact. The order can also force the respondent out of a shared home and set temporary custody terms 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 Idaho law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Idaho paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Who qualifies for a protection order
Idaho's Domestic Violence Crime Prevention Act 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 once lived together. People with a child in common, or a current or former dating relationship, qualify too. Someone without one of these household or family connections generally needs Idaho's separate civil stalking protection order instead, which follows its own statute.
Ex parte orders and the full hearing
A petitioner who shows immediate and present danger can get an ex parte protection order the same day, without the respondent present. That order takes effect once served and stays active until the full hearing. Idaho law requires the court to hold that hearing within 14 days of the ex parte order. A protection order issued after the hearing can last up to a year in Idaho, and the court can extend it.
Exact hearing scheduling can vary by county. Confirm the date and any local paperwork with the district court clerk in the filing county.
Filing is free, and where to file
Idaho does not charge a filing fee for a civil protection order petition. Petitions are filed in the district court of the county where the petitioner lives, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse occurred. Idaho's court system provides standard forms for filing a protection order petition without an attorney.
Firearms provisions
Idaho law lets a court order a respondent not to possess firearms while a protection order is in effect. Federal law separately restricts firearm possession for anyone subject to certain qualifying domestic violence protective orders. Violating an Idaho protection order is a criminal offense that can lead to arrest.
Protection orders and divorce or custody cases
A civil protection order in Idaho is a separate case from a divorce or custody case. A petitioner does not need either one open to request it. The protection order can still set temporary custody and visitation terms for shared children while it is active. If a divorce or custody case is already open, tell that court about the protection order so the two cases can be handled consistently.
Sources: Idaho Statutes, Title 39, Chapter 63 (Domestic Violence Crime Prevention Act), Idaho Legislature, Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence
Not independently confirmed
- Idaho court self-help pages were not directly reachable to re-confirm current form numbers; confirm the exact petition form with the filing district court.
- The Idaho coalition's own hotline listing points to the National Domestic Violence Hotline rather than a distinct state number.
- Exact venue rules when petitioner and respondent live in different counties; confirm with the district court clerk.
Protective Orders in Idaho: frequently asked questions
What is a civil protection order in Idaho?+
Idaho's protective order for domestic abuse is authorized under the Domestic Violence Crime Prevention Act, Idaho Code 39-6301 and following. It applies to spouses, family and household members, co-parents, and current or former dating partners, and it can order no contact while it is active.
Where do I file for a protection order in Idaho?+
In the district court of the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse occurred. Idaho's court system provides the standard petition forms for filing without an attorney.
Does it cost money to file in Idaho?+
No. There is no filing fee for a civil protection order petition in Idaho.
How fast can I get protection in Idaho?+
A judge can grant an ex parte protection order the same day if you show immediate and present danger, without notifying the other person first. Idaho law then requires a full hearing within 14 days of that order.
How long does a protection order last in Idaho?+
A protection order issued after a hearing can last up to a year in Idaho, and the court can extend it if the petitioner still needs protection when the order is set to expire.
Can a protection order affect custody in Idaho?+
Yes. It can include temporary custody and visitation terms for children the parties share, even without a separate custody case open. If a divorce or custody case already exists, tell that court about the protection order.
This page is general information about protective orders in Idaho, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Idaho's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Idaho. Virdix does not prepare or file Idaho divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Idaho.
More Idaho 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 Idaho, 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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