Home > I Need Help > Self-Help > Domestic Violence >

Orders of Protection

An Order of Protection is a legal document issued by a court and signed by a judge. An Order of Protection can help keep you safe by ordering your abuser to stay away from you.

You can file a Petition to get an Order of Protection from New York City Family Court if your abuser is:

  • your spouse or your former spouse
  • someone related to you by blood or marriage
  • someone with whom you have a child

New York City Family Court locations are listed below. If your abuser is someone else, you have to get an Order of Protection from New York City Criminal Court.

An Order of Protection cannot guarantee your safety, but if your abuser violates an Order of Protection:

  • your abuser can be arrested
  • your abuser can be charged with a crime and go to jail
  • you can have the judge extend the time for which your Order of Protection remains in effect

To get an Order of Protection from New York City Family Court, go to the Petition Room in one of the Courthouses listed below. The Clerk will help you fill out a Petition for an Order of Protection.


New York City Family Court Locations

  • Brooklyn—Kings County Family Court
    283 Adams Street, 1st Floor
    Brooklyn, New York 11201 (map)
    Petition Room: 318 (3rd Floor)
    (718) 643-2650, (718) 643-2652

    Hours:
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday & Friday
    9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Wednesday
    9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Tuesday & Thursday
  • Bronx—Bronx County Family Court
    900 Sheridan Avenue
    Bronx, NY 10451 (map)
    Petition Room: 770 (7th Floor)
    (718) 590-3318, (718) 590-3321

    Hours:
    9:00 AM–5:00 PM Monday & Friday
    9:00 AM–7:00 PM Wednesday
    9:00 AM–9:00 PM Tuesday & Thursday
  • Manhattan—New York County Family Court
    60 Lafayette Street, 1st Floor
    New York, NY 10013 (map)
    Petition Room:
    (212) 385-8218

    Hours:
    9:00 AM–5:00 PM Monday–Friday
  • Queens—Queens County Family Court
    151-20 Jamaica Avenue, 4th Floor
    Jamaica, NY 11432 (map)
    Petition Room: Lobby (Ask Court Officer)
    (718) 298-0197

    Hours:
    9:00 AM–5:00 PM Monday–Friday
  • Staten Island—Richmond County Family Court
    100 Richmond Terrace
    Staten Island, NY 10103 (map)
    Petition Room:
    (718) 720-2495

    Hours:
    9:00 AM–5:00 PM Monday–Friday