Reviewed August 2026
Protective Orders in Kentucky
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233. Kentucky has two civil protective orders, and which one applies depends on your relationship to the other party. A Domestic Violence Order, or DVO, covers family or household members. It falls under Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 403. An Interpersonal Protective Order, or IPO, covers dating partners and victims of sexual assault or stalking who don't qualify for a DVO. It falls under KRS Chapter 456. Neither one requires a filing fee. Kentucky family or circuit courts can issue an emergency order the same day if the danger is immediate. A full order issued after a hearing can require no contact, order 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 Kentucky law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Kentucky paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Who qualifies for a DVO versus an IPO
A Domestic Violence Order applies to current and former spouses, and to people related by blood or marriage who live together or once did. It also covers people who currently live together or once lived together as a couple, and people who share a child. An Interpersonal Protective Order applies to people in a current or former dating relationship who don't meet the DVO's household test. It also covers victims of sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, regardless of their relationship to the offender. A petitioner unsure which order applies can name both possibilities when filing. The court will direct the case to the correct track.
Emergency orders and the full hearing
A petitioner who shows immediate danger can get an emergency protective order the same day, without the respondent present. That order takes effect once served and stays active until the full hearing. Kentucky law requires the court to hold that hearing within 14 days of the emergency order. A DVO or IPO issued after the hearing can last up to three years in Kentucky, and it can be renewed.
Exact hearing scheduling depends on the court's calendar. Confirm the date and any required paperwork with the circuit court clerk in the filing county.
Filing is free, and where to file
Kentucky charges no filing fee for a DVO or IPO petition. File in the circuit court, generally the family court division where one exists, in the county where the petitioner lives. Kentucky courts provide the standard petition forms and can direct a petitioner to the correct courtroom.
Firearms provisions
Kentucky law lets a court order a respondent to give up firearms while a DVO or IPO is in effect. Federal law separately restricts firearm possession for anyone subject to certain qualifying domestic violence protective orders. Violating a Kentucky DVO or IPO is a criminal offense that can lead to arrest.
How these orders interact with divorce and custody
A DVO or IPO in Kentucky is a separate case from a divorce or custody case. A petitioner doesn't need either one open to request an order. The order can still set temporary custody, timesharing, and support terms for shared children while it's active. If a divorce or custody case is already open, tell that court about the DVO or IPO. Kentucky family courts often handle both, so the two cases can be coordinated.
Sources: Kentucky Revised Statutes, Kentucky Legislature, Kentucky Court of Justice, ZeroV (formerly Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence)
Not independently confirmed
- Whether the linked KRS chapter page displays Chapter 403 or 456 by default; confirm the exact statute section against the Kentucky Revised Statutes index.
- Exact hearing scheduling window can vary by county; confirm with the filing circuit court clerk.
- ZeroV's published hotline is the National Domestic Violence Hotline number rather than a distinct Kentucky-only line.
Protective Orders in Kentucky: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a DVO and an IPO in Kentucky?+
A Domestic Violence Order covers family or household members, such as spouses, relatives, or people who lived together or share a child, under KRS Chapter 403. An Interpersonal Protective Order covers dating partners and victims of sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking who don't meet that household test, under KRS Chapter 456.
Where do I file for a DVO or IPO in Kentucky?+
File in the circuit court, generally the family court division, in the county where you live. Kentucky courts provide the standard petition forms and can direct you to the correct courtroom.
Does it cost money to file in Kentucky?+
No. Kentucky charges no filing fee for a DVO or IPO petition.
How fast can I get protection in Kentucky?+
A judge can grant an emergency protective order the same day if you show immediate danger, without notifying the other person first. Kentucky law then requires a full hearing within 14 days of that order.
How long does a DVO or IPO last in Kentucky?+
An order issued after a full hearing can last up to three years in Kentucky, and it can be renewed if the petitioner still needs protection when it's set to expire.
Can a DVO affect custody in Kentucky?+
Yes. It can include temporary custody, timesharing, and support 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 DVO or IPO.
This page is general information about protective orders in Kentucky, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Kentucky's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Kentucky. Virdix does not prepare or file Kentucky divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Kentucky.
More Kentucky divorce guides
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