If you're reading this, you may be afraid. You may not know what to do next, or whether the legal system can actually help you. Those feelings are valid — and so is your urgency. The good news is this: Nevada courts allow you to file for a protective order without an attorney, the forms are free, and a judge can issue a Temporary Protection Order the same day you file.
You do not have to wait. You do not have to hire a lawyer. The process is faster than most people expect.
TL;DR -- Nevada Protective Order at a Glance
Detail Answer Cost to file Free (no fee for the petitioner) Emergency/temporary order Same day or next business day (ex parte) Hearing date Within 45 days (NRS 33.080) Who can file Victim of domestic violence, stalking, harassment, or sexual assault Attorney required No Where to file Clark County Family Court / Washoe County Family Court / local Justice Court
What Is a Protective Order in Nevada?
Nevada's protective order system is governed by NRS Chapter 33. When people say "restraining order," they usually mean a protective order — specifically, a civil protective order that you file, as the person seeking protection.
There are three types:
1. Emergency Protective Order (EPO) Issued by law enforcement on the scene — not by the court. Lasts 3 business days. This is what a responding police officer can issue immediately after a call. It bridges the gap until you can get to the courthouse.
2. Temporary Protection Order (TPO) This is what you file for at the courthouse. A judge reviews your application ex parte — meaning without the respondent present — and decides whether to issue the order the same day or the next business day. A TPO can last up to 30 days while a hearing is scheduled.
3. Extended Protection Order Issued after a court hearing where both parties have an opportunity to appear. If granted, it lasts up to 2 years and can be renewed. This is the goal: a durable, enforceable order entered in the statewide RAPIDS registry.
Note: This guide covers civil protective orders — the kind you file yourself. A criminal restraining order is different; it's issued by a court as part of a criminal prosecution and is not initiated by the victim. If there is an active criminal case, both types of protection may apply.
Who Qualifies to File?
To obtain a protective order under NRS Chapter 33, you must show that the respondent committed at least one of the following acts against you:
- Domestic violence (NRS 33.018) — physical assault, battery, threats, harassment, compelling by force or threat
- Sexual assault
- Stalking (NRS 200.575)
- Harassment (NRS 200.571)
- Aggravated stalking
For domestic violence-based orders, NRS 33.018 defines covered relationships. You must have one of the following connections to the respondent:
- Spouse or former spouse
- Romantic or dating partner (past or present)
- Person with whom you have a child in common
- Household member or former household member
- Blood relative or relative by marriage
For stalking and harassment, no relationship is required — more on that in the FAQ below.
No residency requirement: Unlike filing for divorce in Nevada (which requires 6 weeks of residency), there is no residency waiting period to file a protective order. You can file the day you arrive in Nevada if that is where the incidents occurred or where you currently live.
Minor children: If your children have been subjected to domestic violence or are at risk, you can include them on your protective order. You file on their behalf. A separate application is not required.
Step-by-Step: How to File a Protective Order in Nevada
Step 1: Go to the courthouse
- Clark County: Clark County Family Court, 601 N. Pecos Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89101
- Washoe County: Washoe County Family Court, 75 Court St., Reno, NV 89501
- Smaller counties: File at your local Justice Court
You do not need to call ahead. Protective order forms are available at the clerk's window during business hours.
Step 2: Request the protective order packet
Ask the clerk for the "Application for Order for Protection." The forms are free. The clerk can tell you which forms apply to your situation (domestic violence, stalking, harassment, sexual assault). You can also download forms from the Nevada courts website in advance if you want to prepare at home before going in.
Step 3: Fill out the application carefully
This step matters most. The application asks you to describe the incidents of abuse or harassment in your own words. Be specific:
- Include dates and locations
- Describe exactly what the respondent did or said
- Include any witnesses
- Note any injuries or property damage
Vagueness weakens your application. A judge reviewing it ex parte has only your written account to go on. "He was abusive" is far less persuasive than "On June 5, 2026, at our shared apartment at [address], respondent grabbed me by the arm, shoved me against the wall, and said 'I will kill you if you leave.'" Courts need facts.
Step 4: Submit to the clerk
Hand in your completed application. The clerk forwards it to a judge for review. You will typically receive a decision the same day you file, or by the next business day.
Step 5: TPO issued if judge finds "good cause"
If the judge determines there is good cause to believe domestic violence, stalking, harassment, or sexual assault occurred, a Temporary Protection Order is issued. You receive a copy. Law enforcement will serve the order on the respondent — you do not have to do this yourself. Until the respondent is served, the order is not legally enforceable against them.
Step 6: Attend the hearing (within 30--45 days)
Under NRS 33.080, a hearing must be scheduled within 45 days of the TPO being issued. Both parties are notified. At the hearing, the judge hears from both sides and decides whether to issue an Extended Protection Order (up to 2 years).
Do not miss this hearing. If you do not appear, your case will very likely be dismissed. If the respondent does not appear and you do, the Extended Order is typically granted by default.
Step 7: Extended Protection Order entered in RAPIDS
If the Extended Protection Order is granted, it is entered into Nevada's RAPIDS (Record of Orders for Protection) statewide registry. Any law enforcement officer in Nevada can verify the order instantly. Keep a certified copy with you at all times.
What a Protective Order Can Do
A Nevada protective order is not just a piece of paper. It is a court order that can:
- Prohibit all contact -- in person, by phone, by text, by email, and on social media
- Remove the respondent from your shared home -- even if their name is on the lease or mortgage
- Grant you temporary custody of minor children -- this is one of the most important provisions if children are involved
- Prohibit the respondent from possessing firearms -- this is mandatory under NRS 33.031 when a protective order is issued
- Order the respondent to pay spousal support pending a divorce (if applicable)
If you are also going through a divorce, a protective order can run alongside your divorce case. Read our guide to filing for divorce in Nevada without a lawyer for more on that process.
The Hearing: What to Expect
You do not need an attorney at the hearing. Judges regularly hear cases where one or both parties are self-represented.
Bring everything you have:
- Certified copies of your TPO
- Screenshots of threatening texts or messages
- Photos of injuries or property damage
- Medical records, if applicable
- Police reports from any prior calls
- A list of witnesses who can corroborate your account
The respondent has the right to appear and contest the order. The judge will hear both sides. Be calm, factual, and specific — the same qualities that strengthen your written application will strengthen your testimony.
Free help is available: Victim advocates are available at Clark County Family Court at no cost. Ask the clerk when you arrive. They can help you prepare for the hearing, understand the process, and connect you with other resources.
If the case involves your children, see our guide to getting child custody in Nevada — a protective order with a temporary custody provision can be the foundation for a longer-term custody order.
If the Respondent Violates the Order
A protective order has teeth — but only if you enforce it.
Call 911 immediately if the respondent violates any provision. Violation of a protective order is a criminal offense under NRS 33.100 — ranging from a misdemeanor to a felony depending on the circumstances. Do not try to handle it yourself.
Document every violation:
- Write down dates, times, and what happened
- Screenshot any messages or social media contact
- Save voicemails
- Keep the log somewhere safe (not in a shared home)
Do not agree to "just talk." Even well-intentioned contact can appear voluntary to law enforcement and complicate enforcement of the order. If you have something to communicate — especially about children -- do it through an attorney, a family member, or a court-approved app like OurFamilyWizard. Do not meet in person without a witness and documentation.
Cost: Filing Is Free
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $0 (no fee for petitioner) |
| Law enforcement service | $0 (no cost to you) |
| Attorney (optional) | Varies; not required |
| Legal aid (if you qualify) | Free |
| Doc prep for related documents | Flat fee; see below |
Filing a protective order costs you nothing. There is no court filing fee for the petitioner. Law enforcement serves the order on the respondent at no cost to you.
Legal aid resources:
- Nevada Legal Services -- nelegal.org
- Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence -- ncedsv.org
- Safe Nest (Las Vegas) -- safenest.org
- WCSO Victim Services (Reno/Washoe) -- washoecounty.gov
If you need help with related court documents -- custody paperwork, divorce forms, child support worksheets -- document preparation services are available. Visit pro-prep.madethis.app/nevada to see what's available when you're ready for next steps.
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Being too vague on the application Courts cannot grant what they cannot evaluate. Dates, locations, direct quotes, and specific acts are what make applications persuasive.
2. Missing the hearing date The TPO is temporary. The hearing is where you get the Extended Protection Order. If you miss it, the case is dismissed and you start over.
3. Not including your children If your children witnessed violence or are at risk of contact with the respondent, include them on the order. You can address temporary custody in the same application.
4. Continuing contact after the order is issued Any contact that looks voluntary -- even responding to a text or agreeing to meet to "talk things through" -- can undermine enforcement and your credibility at the hearing.
5. Assuming the TPO is permanent It is not. The Temporary Protection Order lasts up to 30 days. The Extended Protection Order (up to 2 years) only exists if you attend the hearing and the judge grants it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a protective order for stalking or harassment if we were never in a relationship? Yes. NRS 33.010 covers stalking and harassment regardless of whether you have any prior relationship with the respondent. You do not need to have dated, lived with, or been related to the person who is harassing or stalking you.
Will the respondent be arrested immediately when the TPO is served? No. A Temporary Protection Order is a civil order. The respondent is not arrested simply because the order was issued. Arrest happens only if they violate the order. Once the order is served, any contact, proximity violation, or other breach is a criminal offense under NRS 33.100.
What if I share children with the respondent? The protective order application allows you to request a temporary custody provision. Address this explicitly in your application -- describe any incidents involving the children, and state clearly that you are requesting temporary custody as part of the order. For the longer-term custody arrangement, see our Nevada child custody guide.
Can I file in a different county than where the respondent lives? Yes. You can file in the county where you live or in the county where the abuse or harassment occurred. You do not need to file in the respondent's county of residence.
How long does an Extended Protection Order last? Up to 2 years. It can be renewed before it expires. At the renewal hearing, you will need to show that the circumstances that originally justified the order still exist or that there is ongoing risk.
What if I change my mind and want to drop the order? You must petition the court to dismiss it. A judge makes the decision -- not you, and not the respondent. The respondent cannot legally pressure you to drop it. If anyone is pressuring you to drop a protective order, that is itself a potential violation of the order. Contact law enforcement or a victim advocate.
You Have the Right to Be Safe
Nevada's protective order process was designed to be accessible without an attorney. The forms are free. The filing fee is zero. A judge can issue a Temporary Protection Order the same day you walk into the courthouse.
You do not have to have it all figured out before you go. The clerks are there to help you navigate the paperwork. Victim advocates at Clark County Family Court are free and available. You just have to take the first step.
When you're ready for next steps -- divorce paperwork, custody documents, or other court forms -- visit pro-prep.madethis.app/nevada. Form kits and document preparation services are available to help you handle the paperwork at a fraction of the cost of an attorney.
Pro Se Document Preparation is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We prepare documents based on information you provide. For legal advice, contact the State Bar of Nevada Lawyer Referral Service at 702-382-2200.