Reviewed August 2026
Protective Orders in Minnesota
Minnesota's civil protection order is called an Order for Protection, or OFP, authorized under the Domestic Abuse Act, Minnesota Statutes section 518B.01. If you are in immediate danger right now, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline number is 1-800-799-7233. District court is where you petition for an OFP. Eligible petitioners include a person abused by a family or household member, a current or former spouse, or a co-parent. Filing costs nothing. If danger is immediate, a Minnesota court can issue an ex parte order the same day. Once a hearing happens, the resulting OFP can require no contact, remove the respondent from 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 Minnesota law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Minnesota paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Who qualifies for an Order for Protection
Coverage under Minnesota's Domestic Abuse Act extends to family or household members. Current and former spouses qualify, as do people related by blood or marriage. Current and former housemates qualify as well. So do people who share a child, and people in a significant romantic or sexual relationship. Without one of these connections, a person generally needs Minnesota's separate Harassment Restraining Order instead, which does not require a family or household relationship.
Ex parte orders and the full hearing
Same-day relief is available: a petitioner who shows immediate danger can obtain an ex parte OFP without the respondent present. That order becomes effective once served and stays active until the full hearing takes place. If the respondent requests a hearing, Minnesota law generally schedules it within 14 days. After that hearing, an OFP can last up to two years in Minnesota, with the option to extend it.
Scheduling still depends on the individual court's calendar. Check the exact date and any local paperwork with the district court clerk in the county where you filed.
Filing is free, and where to file
No filing fee applies to an Order for Protection petition in Minnesota. You can file in the district court of the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse occurred. Standard petition forms are available from Minnesota district courts for people filing without an attorney.
Firearms provisions
Firearms surrender is mandatory once an OFP is issued after a hearing: Minnesota law requires the respondent to transfer or surrender them. An ex parte order can address firearms too. Separately, federal law restricts firearm possession for anyone subject to certain qualifying domestic violence protective orders. Arrest can follow if a respondent violates a Minnesota OFP, since doing so is a criminal offense.
OFPs and divorce or custody cases
A divorce or custody case and an Order for Protection case are separate in Minnesota. No divorce or custody case needs to be open for a petitioner to request an OFP. While active, the OFP can still set temporary custody and parenting time terms for shared children. When a divorce or custody case is already open, let that court know about the OFP so both cases stay consistent.
Sources: Minnesota Statutes 518B.01 (Domestic Abuse Act), Office of the Revisor of Statutes, Violence Free Minnesota, statewide hotline (866) 223-1111
Not independently confirmed
- Minnesota Judicial Branch self-help pages could not be directly reached to re-confirm current form numbers; confirm the correct OFP petition form with the filing district court.
- Exact hearing scheduling window can vary by county caseload; confirm with the filing court.
Protective Orders in Minnesota: frequently asked questions
What is an Order for Protection in Minnesota?+
Under the Domestic Abuse Act, Minn. Stat. 518B.01, this is Minnesota's civil protective order. Spouses, family and household members, co-parents, and people in a significant romantic or sexual relationship can use it. While active, it can order no contact and firearms surrender.
Where do I file for an OFP in Minnesota?+
File in the district court of the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse happened. The petition forms needed to file without an attorney come from Minnesota district courts.
Does it cost money to file in Minnesota?+
No. Minnesota charges no filing fee for an Order for Protection petition.
How fast can I get protection in Minnesota?+
Same day, if you show immediate danger: a judge can grant an ex parte OFP without notifying the other person first. If the respondent requests one, Minnesota law generally schedules a full hearing within 14 days.
How long does an OFP last in Minnesota?+
Up to two years in Minnesota, for an OFP issued after a hearing. The court can extend it if the petitioner still needs protection when it's set to expire.
Can an OFP affect custody in Minnesota?+
Yes. Temporary custody and parenting time terms for shared children can be included, even with no separate custody case open. Tell the other court about the OFP if a divorce or custody case already exists.
This page is general information about protective orders in Minnesota, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Minnesota's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Minnesota. Virdix does not prepare or file Minnesota divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Minnesota.
More Minnesota 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 Minnesota, 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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