How To Get A Restraining Order In Arkansas

People in Arkansas can ask for a restraining order, called an Order of Protection when they need to stay safe from abuse, threats, harassment, or violence. If they are in immediate danger, the court can give them a temporary order right away, and after a hearing the judge can make it final. Violating this order is a crime. They usually seek one when they face domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, repeated harassment, threats to their safety, violence at work, or elder abuse. A person begins the process by filing a sworn affidavit with the circuit court in the county where they live, where the individual they are seeking protection from lives, or where the incident occurred. Forms and step-by-step instructions are available through Arkansas civil court records, which provides direct access to Arkansas filing information.

Types Of Restraining Orders in Arkansas

The most common types of restraining order used in Arkansas include the following:

• Domestic Abuse Order of Protection (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-201 et seq.): This is a civil order meant to protect someone who has been hurt or threatened by a family member, partner, or someone they live with. It can be given quickly in emergencies (called an ex parte order) and later made final after a court hearing.
• No Contact Order (Ark. Code Ann. § 16-85-714): This is a criminal court order that tells a person charged with a crime not to contact the victim. It is often used when someone is out on bail, probation, or waiting for trial.
• Injunction Against Workplace Violence (Ark. Code Ann. § 11-5-115): This is a civil order that helps protect workers who are being threatened or harmed at their job. An employer can ask the court for this type of protection.
• Standing Restraining Order: This order is automatically put in place when someone files for divorce or custody. It helps prevent fighting, hiding children, or selling important property until the court makes a final decision.

Are Restraining Orders Public Records In Arkansas?

Yes. In Arkansas, restraining orders—also called Orders of Protection—are normally part of the public record, so unless a judge seals the file, anyone —including employers, landlords, or other members of the public—can review the documents by asking the court that issued the order.

Under Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 19, though, certain private details must be kept out of the public record to protect people's safety. This includes Social Security numbers, bank account information, and, in some cases, the petitioner's home address. Victims can even ask the court to withhold their address from everyone except court staff, ensuring they stay safer after filing for protection.

How To Lookup Restraining Orders In Arkansas

People can look for restraining orders in Arkansas through court records online or in person:

At the courthouse: Petitioners can ask to see the case by visiting the circuit clerk's office in the county where the order was filed.

Online: The Search ARCourts website (formerly called CourtConnect) lets people search by name or case number to find public case information.

Some details are kept private for safety. For instance, Social Security numbers, bank account information, and home addresses can be hidden. Some courts also restrict remote access to particular documents on a case-by-case basis via protective orders.

Can You Lookup A Restraining Order Online?

Yes. Individuals can find restraining order records online for free using the Search ARCourts website in Arkansas. A person can search by name or case number to view case summaries, court dates, and available documents, even if they are not involved in the case. Some other websites, called public record databases, gather and share these court files, but they may charge money or show less information. Even though most records are public, the court's rules keep private details—like Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and home addresses—hidden under Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 19, and a judge can seal part or all of a case to keep it from being seen.

How To File A Restraining Order In Arkansas

Filing a restraining order in Arkansas takes a few steps, and the process can be a little different depending on the kind of help a person needs to stay safe.

Order of Protection (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-201 et seq.)

Fill out the correct paperwork: The person asking for help must complete a few important forms:

• Petition for Order of Protection (Form AOC-275): This form explains who the order is against and why the person is asking for protection.
• Affidavit in Support of Petition: This is a sworn statement where the person tells the court what happened in their own words.
• Confidential Information Sheet (Form AOC-274): This form includes private details like addresses and birthdates, which the court uses but may keep hidden for safety.

Some counties might ask for extra forms, such as a case cover sheet or a notice of hearing, which can be picked up from the circuit court clerk's office.

File with the Circuit Court: These forms are filed in the circuit court of the county where either person lives or where the incident took place. The Domestic Relations or Civil Division usually handles these cases. There is no fee to file.

Ask for a Temporary Order (Ex Parte): If someone is in danger right away, they can ask the judge for a temporary order the same day. The judge does not have to tell the other person first, and this order stays in place until the full court hearing.

Get a Hearing Date: The court picks a date for a hearing, usually within 30 days. At the hearing, both the person asking for help and the person the order is against speak to the judge.

Make Sure the Other Person Gets the Papers: The person the order is against must get a copy of the papers. This is called personal service and is done by the sheriff or a process server. The judge will not go on with the case until the papers are delivered.

Injunction Against Workplace Violence (Ark. Code Ann. § 11-5-115)

Complete the Petition: The person asking for help must fill out a form that explains what happened and why they need protection. This form can be different in each county.

File in the Right Court: The petition is filed in the Civil Division of the circuit court where the job is located.

Ask for Temporary Protection: If the person is in danger right now, they can ask the judge for a temporary order that helps keep them safe until the court hearing.

Get Ready for the Hearing and Tell the Other Person: The court will set a hearing in a few weeks. The person the order is against must be given a copy of the papers so they know when to come to court. The person the order is against must get an official copy of the papers before that day.

No Contact Order (Ark. Code Ann. § 16-85-714)

Filed by the Prosecutor or Ordered by the Judge: The person seeking protection does not have to fill out a petition. The prosecutor includes the request in the criminal case, or the judge adds it as a condition of bail, bond, or probation.

Handled in Criminal Court: These are not civil orders and are issued in the Criminal Division of the circuit court.

Takes Effect Immediately: The order starts right away, and the defendant is told during their first court appearance. No additional hearing or paperwork from the victim is needed.

Can You File A Restraining Order For No Reason In Arkansas?

No. Arkansas law requires that a petitioner allege "the existence of domestic abuse" and submit an affidavit under oath setting out the "specific facts and circumstances of the domestic abuse" (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-201(e)(1)(A)–(2)), and a judge will issue even a temporary ex parte order only upon finding "sufficient evidence to support the petition" (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-206(a)).

What Proof Do You Need For A Restraining Order In Arkansas?

People who are asking for a restraining order should gather any evidence that helps show what happened. This might include police reports from past incidents, text messages or emails that show threats or harassment, medical records or photos of injuries, written statements from friends or neighbors who saw what happened, and any written threats or voicemails left by the other person. All of this can help the judge understand the situation and decide whether protection is needed. While no single item is mandatory, presenting multiple types of evidence can help the court understand the pattern and severity of the abuse.

At an ex parte (temporary) hearing, the court must find "sufficient evidence to support the petition" before issuing immediate protection (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-206(a)). For the full (final) order, the petitioner bears the civil burden of proof "by a preponderance of the evidence"—meaning the judge must be convinced it is more likely than not that domestic abuse occurred and that protection is needed.

How Long Does It Take To Get A Restraining Order In Arkansas?

A judge may grant an ex parte temporary order on the same day the petition is filed if there is immediate danger, and that order remains in effect until the full hearing. State law requires the court to schedule the hearing no later than 30 days after filing (and often at the next available docket), though many counties set the date within 7–21 days—some even within 10 to 30 days of the petition.

How Long Does A Restraining Order Last In Arkansas?

An emergency restraining order, called an ex parte order, can be given by a judge on the same day if someone is in danger. This order stays in place until a court hearing, which must happen within 30 days (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-204(a)(1), § 9-15-206(c)). After the hearing, if the judge believes protection is still needed, they can give a final order that lasts anywhere from 90 days to 10 years. If the danger continues, the person can ask the court to renew the order before it expires (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-207).

How Much Does A Restraining Order Cost in Arkansas?

There is no filing fee or service fee for Orders of Protection related to domestic abuse (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-202(a)(1)). Certified copies may cost around $5 each, and private process servers—if used—may charge about $140. Fee waivers are widely available for victims.

Can You Cancel A Restraining Order In Arkansas?

Yes, a restraining order in Arkansas can be changed or canceled by either the person who requested it or the person it is against. It involves the steps explained below:

File a Motion

• Ask the circuit court clerk for a "Motion to Modify or Terminate Order of Protection". Some counties post these on their websites.
• File the motion in the same court that issued the order.

Notify the Other Party

• Legally serve a copy of the motion to the other person, usually through the sheriff or a process server.

Attend a Hearing

• The court will set a hearing date. Both sides can explain their reasons.

Judge Decides

• The judge reviews the case and decides whether to keep, change, or cancel the order under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-209.