Protective Orders

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. A law enforcement officer can assist you with obtaining an emergency protective order.

• You may also request an emergency protective order from the Magistrate’s Office located at 42035 Loudoun Center Place, Leesburg, VA 20175. Contact the office at 703-777-0383.  

For information about safety planning and local resources, call the 24-hour hotline for Victims of Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault at 703-777-6552.

About Protective Orders

A protective order is a court order that tells the person who has hurt you or has threatened to hurt you to stop. It can also tell that person not to contact you and your family or household members. The order can also tell the abusive person (respondent) not to go where you (petitioner) live or work.

There is no fee for filing a family abuse protective order. Learn more about protective orders. 

How to File a Protective Order

Complete the Required Paperwork

There are different types of protective orders and associated forms depending on your age and your relationship to the abusive person. 

• Family abuse protective orders may be filed by spouses, relatives, persons that have been residing with you during the previous 12 months, or persons that have children in common with you. Family Abuse Protective Orders are filed with the Juvenile Court Service Unit.
  • Download, print, and complete the Family Abuse Protective Order Intake Form (English | Spanish) and Affidavit or pick up these documents from the Loudoun County Courthouse (address and hours below). 
• Juvenile protective orders may be filed by individuals under age 18. Juvenile Protective Order are filed with the Juvenile Court Service Unit.
  • Download, print, and complete the Juvenile Protective Order Intake Form (English | Spanish) and Affidavit or pick up these documents from the Loudoun County Courthouse (address and hours below). 
• Non-family member protective orders may be filed by adults who do not meet the definition of a family member. Non-family Member Protective Order are filed with the General District Court. I-CAN! Virginia is a free online program that provides assistance with the preparation of court forms required to file for a protective order. I-CAN! Virginia is also available in Spanish.

File your Protective Order

All protective orders must be filed in person at the Loudoun County Courthouse:

• The Loudoun County Courthouse is located at 18 E. Market Street in Leesburg, Virginia. 
• The court is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for holidays. 
• In the case of bad weather, call the Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court at 703-777-0300 (for family abuse protective orders or juvenile protective orders) or the General District Court at 703-777-0312 (for non-family member protective orders).

There is no fee to file a protective order. 

Same Day Protective Orders

For family abuse protective orders or juvenile protective orders the same day, you (the petitioner/victim) must arrive before 11:00 a.m. to file a formal written request asking the court to take action (this is called a petition). These requests will be considered at a scheduled court hearing later that same day. 

• Be prepared to complete paperwork. 
• All documents must be signed under oath with an Intake Officer at the court. 
• There is no fee to file a protective order. 

For non-family member protective orders the same day, contact the General District Court at 703-777-0312.