How to File a No Contact Order in Indiana: Petition and Hearing

To file a no-contact order in Indiana, you actually file a civil protection order under Indiana Code 34-26-5. There is no filing fee. You can start online through the Indiana Protection Order Registry or in person at your county clerk’s office, and if a judge finds you are in immediate danger from domestic or family violence, temporary protection can take effect the same day you file, before the other person is notified.¹²

One boundary to note before you start. A civil protection order is different from a criminal no-contact order. A criminal no-contact order is issued by a judge in a criminal case at a prosecutor’s request, and the victim does not control it. The petition described here is something you initiate yourself, whether or not criminal charges have been filed. You can pursue both at the same time.

Who Can File

Indiana law opens the process to two groups.

If you have experienced domestic or family violence, you can file against a family or household member: a current or former spouse, someone you live with or used to live with, someone you share a child with, or someone you have been in a dating relationship with.³

If you have been the victim of stalking or a sex offense, you can file against anyone. No family or household connection is required.³ Many people assume protection orders only cover spouses or relatives. If a stranger or acquaintance has been stalking you, you still qualify.

What to Gather Before You File

Collect as much identifying information about the respondent (the person you want the order against) as you can. The court needs enough detail to locate and serve them. Useful items include full legal name, home address, workplace, and a physical description covering height, weight, and hair and eye color. Vehicle make, model, and license plate help law enforcement find them.

Write a clear account of what happened. Go incident by incident, in order: date, time, location, and what the person did or said. Stick to facts. “On March 12, he showed up at my workplace and threatened to hurt me” is stronger than “he has been threatening me for months.” Pull together the evidence you have too: text messages, voicemails, photos of injuries, medical records, police reports. You will need it at the hearing.

Filing the Petition

Indiana uses a standardized Petition for Order of Protection along with a Confidential Information Sheet that keeps your home address hidden from the respondent. You can fill these out online through the Indiana Protection Order Registry or pick up paper copies at your county clerk’s office.¹

The petition asks you to describe the threatening or violent behavior in a narrative section. Use the chronological account you prepared. It also asks what relief you want: no-contact provisions, exclusive possession of a shared residence, custody of pets, or other specific protections. Ask for everything you may need up front.

There is no fee to file.² After you submit, the clerk assigns a case number and sends the petition to a judge for review.

Same-Day Emergency Protection

For petitions based on domestic or family violence, stalking, or a sex offense, a judge can issue a temporary protection order right away, without the respondent being present or notified. This is called an ex parte order, and it can take effect the same day if the judge sees evidence of an immediate threat.⁴

There is one important exception. If your petition is based only on harassment, the court cannot issue an ex parte order. Instead, a hearing must be scheduled within 30 days of filing.⁵ If harassment is your only basis, plan for the wait.

An ex parte order is temporary. It keeps you safe while the court arranges to notify the respondent and schedule a full hearing. Some kinds of relief granted ex parte, such as exclusive pet custody or removing the respondent from a shared home, automatically require a hearing within 30 days.⁵

How the Respondent Gets Served

The order is not enforceable until the respondent has been officially served, meaning handed the court documents in person. The county sheriff typically delivers them at the respondent’s home or workplace, and proof of service is filed with the court.⁴

If the sheriff cannot locate the respondent because they have moved, are hiding, or have left the state, Indiana’s trial rules provide alternatives. You or your attorney can request service by publication after filing an affidavit showing a diligent search was made. A court can also issue a special order allowing service through email, social media, or other technology if prior attempts have failed.⁶ An unserved respondent can stall the whole process. If the sheriff reports they couldn’t make contact, ask the court about alternative service right away.

The Hearing

After the respondent is served, a full hearing gives both sides a chance to be heard. The respondent can contest an ex parte order by requesting a hearing, and for harassment-only petitions the court must hold one within 30 days of filing.⁴ You have to show up. If you don’t, the court can dismiss your case.

Evidence to Bring

Bring everything that documents the abuse or threat. Text messages and voicemails are admissible, but you need to be able to show they are authentic, meaning you can identify who sent them and confirm they haven’t been altered. Printed screenshots of texts should include the phone number and timestamps. Photos of injuries, medical records, and police reports all help. If you have a large volume of messages or records, Indiana’s rules let you present a summary as long as you make the originals available for inspection.⁷

Witnesses help too. If a friend, neighbor, or family member saw the abuse or its aftermath, ask them to attend. The hearing is less formal than a full trial, but the judge still needs enough evidence to justify keeping the order in place.

Remote Appearances

Indiana courts allow remote appearances by phone or video in some situations. For non-testimonial matters like scheduling, the court can order a remote proceeding on its own. For testimonial proceedings where witnesses give sworn statements, remote participation requires either good cause or agreement from both parties.⁸ If appearing in person feels unsafe or isn’t feasible, raise it with the court as early as possible.

What the Order Can Include

If the judge grants the order after the hearing, it typically lasts two years, though the court can set a different duration.⁴ Relief can be tailored to your situation:

No-contact provisions. The respondent is prohibited from contacting you directly or through third parties, and from coming to your home, workplace, or school.
Exclusive possession of shared property. The court can order the respondent out of a shared residence and give you possession of a vehicle or essential personal property, regardless of who owns it.
Pet custody. A judge can grant you exclusive care and custody of any animal belonging to either party or to a child or household member, and can prohibit the respondent from harming, threatening, hiding, or getting rid of the animal.⁴
Other safety provisions. The court has broad authority to order additional relief needed to protect you and your household.

People often overlook the pet custody piece when preparing their petition. If you have pets, request their protection in the initial filing.

Firearm Consequences

A full protection order can trigger a federal firearm prohibition. Under 18 U.S.C. 922, a person subject to a qualifying domestic violence protection order cannot possess, buy, or receive firearms or ammunition. The order qualifies if it was issued after a hearing where the respondent had notice and a chance to participate, and it either includes a finding that the respondent poses a credible threat to an intimate partner or child, or explicitly prohibits the use or threatened use of physical force.⁹ An ex parte order issued before the hearing does not trigger the federal ban, because the respondent hasn’t yet had a chance to participate. Indiana law separately restricts firearm possession by people convicted of domestic violence crimes.¹⁰

If the Respondent Violates the Order

Violating a protection order in Indiana is a criminal offense called invasion of privacy, charged as a Class A misdemeanor. That carries up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.¹¹¹² With a prior unrelated conviction for invasion of privacy or stalking, the charge becomes a Level 6 felony.¹³

If the respondent violates the order, call 911. Document the violation however you can: save texts, take screenshots, note the date and time. Indiana law authorizes officers to arrest someone they have probable cause to believe violated a protection order, but arrest is not mandatory. Follow up with the prosecutor’s office if you believe law enforcement didn’t act.

Extending or Dismissing the Order

A standard protection order lasts two years. If you still feel threatened as that date approaches, file a petition to extend. The Indiana Protection Order Committee recommends filing for an extension at least 30 days before expiration so there is time to serve the respondent and hold a hearing. Miss that window and you’ll likely need to file a brand-new petition. To justify the extension, show the order is still necessary because of a continuing threat. An extension is presumed to last two years unless the court orders otherwise.¹⁴

If you no longer want the order, you can dismiss it by filing a written request with the court or making an oral request on the record during a court appearance. Once you do either, the court must dismiss the case promptly, without conditions.¹⁵ The dismissal is without prejudice, so you can file again later if the situation changes. Think carefully first. If you need protection again, you’ll start the process over from the beginning.

Where to Get Help

You don’t need an attorney to file a protection order in Indiana, and many people navigate the process on their own. Court intake specialists at your local courthouse can walk you through the paperwork. If your situation is complex or the respondent has hired a lawyer, having your own attorney at the hearing can make a real difference.

The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence connects victims with local service programs across the state, including organizations that offer legal advocacy and safety planning. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For ongoing support, contact a local domestic violence program: they can help you prepare your petition, plan for safety, and know what to expect at each stage.

1
IN.gov. Office of Judicial Administration: Protection Order Registry
2
indy.gov. File a Protective Order
3
Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 34-26-5-2
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Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 34-26-5-9
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IN.gov. Protection Orders
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Indiana Court Rules. Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure
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Indiana Court Rules. Indiana Rules of Evidence
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Indiana Court Rules. Interim Rule 14 – Remote Proceedings
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Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S. Code 922 – Unlawful Acts
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Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 35-47-4-7 – Persons Prohibited From Possessing a Firearm
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Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 35-46-1-15.1 – Invasion of Privacy; Offense; Penalties
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Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 35-50-3-2 – Class A Misdemeanor
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Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 35-50-2-7 – Level 6 Felony
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Indiana Office of Court Services. Protection Order Deskbook
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Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 34-26-5-12 – Dismissal