How To Get A Restraining Order In Iowa

A restraining order (also called a protective order or no-contact order) is a document the judge signs to keep someone from hurting, threatening, or bothering another person. When someone feels unsafe, they can file a petition in court asking for one. If the judge believes there is a real danger, they can issue an emergency order right away. A hearing is then scheduled—usually within 5 to 15 days—to decide whether the order should remain in effect for longer.

People usually ask for a restraining order when they are being physically hurt, threatened, followed without their permission, or harassed in a way that makes them feel afraid or unsafe. The judge can order the other person to stay away, stop contacting the victim, move out of a shared home, or give up any weapons. If the person breaks the order, they can be arrested or charged with a crime. Anyone who wants to learn more about how to get a restraining order, find court forms, or check case information can visit Iowa civil court records.

Types Of Restraining Orders in Iowa

Each type of protective order is based on a different part of the Iowa Code, and they are:

Domestic Abuse Protective Order (Iowa Code Chapter 236): This type of order protects people who are being abused, threatened, or harassed by someone they have a close or family relationship with—such as a current or former spouse, someone they live or used to live with, a family member, or an intimate partner. It is one of the most common protective orders in Iowa and includes both short-term and long-term options.

Sexual Abuse Protective Order (Iowa Code § 236A): This order is for victims of sexual abuse who do not have a domestic relationship with the abuser. It provides protection against further contact or harm, regardless of whether criminal charges have been filed.

Elder Abuse Protective Order (Iowa Code § 235F): This order is specifically for Iowans aged 60 or older who are experiencing abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. It helps protect older adults from individuals who may be taking advantage of them or causing harm.

No-Contact Order in Criminal Cases (Iowa Code Chapter 664A): This type of order is issued after someone is charged with a crime—such as domestic abuse, assault, or harassment—and it prevents the accused person from contacting or approaching the victim. It stays in place throughout the criminal case and may be extended if the person is convicted.

Emergency (Ex Parte) Protective Order (Iowa Code § 236.6): This is a fast, short-term order that a judge can issue the same day without the other person being in court. It is used when someone is in immediate danger and needs quick protection before a full hearing can take place.

Are Restraining Orders Public Records In Iowa?

Yes—restraining orders in Iowa are public records under the Iowa Court Rule 16.501, meaning anyone, including employers, landlords, or other members of the general public, may request and examine or copy them.

Under Iowa Code § 236.10, a petitioner in a domestic abuse case may ask the court to designate their address confidentially, and the clerk must seal the entire file or portions of it to protect privacy and safety. Also, the Open Records Law itself lists categories of records that "shall be kept confidential, unless otherwise ordered by a court" (Iowa Code § 22.7), which can include medical, personnel, or other sensitive documents attached to a protective order.

How To Lookup Restraining Orders In Iowa

One can access restraining order information by visiting the Clerk of District Court in the county where the case was filed—for example, the Polk County Courthouse—or by using the Iowa Courts Online Search system. They may request to view or copy case records unless the court has sealed part or all of the file. However, under Iowa Code § 236.10 and court rules, certain details, such as the petitioner's address or other sensitive information—may be kept confidential and not available to the public.

Can You Lookup A Restraining Order Online?

Yes. Anyone can view restraining orders online through the Iowa Courts Online Search portal, which provides public access to case dockets and filings statewide, but any documents or data sealed under Iowa's confidentiality rules (e.g., petitioner addresses under Iowa Code § 236.10 or protected personal identifiers under Iowa Code Chapter 22) will be redacted or omitted from the public view.

Also, while various third-party public records websites provide access to restraining order information, they are often incomplete, outdated, or unreliable, since they do not receive real-time updates from the Iowa courts and may miss sealed or recent filings.

How To File A Restraining Order In Iowa

Petitioners begin by identifying which protective order fits their situation—be it a domestic abuse protective order under Iowa Code Chapter 236, a sexual or elder abuse protective order under Iowa Code § 236A, or a criminal no-contact order under Iowa Code Chapter 664A.

After identifying the correct order type, the petitioner completes the Judicial Council's required forms (e.g. rule 17.10—form 11 for domestic abuse, rule 17.20—form 11 for elder abuse, and rule 17.30—form 11 for sexual abuse), carefully describing each abusive or threatening incident. Once signed, those documents are filed with the District Court Clerk in the county where the respondent lives or where the incidents occurred. At that time, the clerk sets a hearing date—usually within 5 to 15 days—and issues the necessary service documents.

To officially notify the respondent, personal service of both the petition and the hearing notice must be arranged, typically carried out by the sheriff's office or a licensed process server.

When urgent protection is needed, the petitioner can also request an emergency temporary (ex parte) order on the same day, which remains in effect until the full hearing can be held.

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

No. Per Iowa Code § 236.3 a petitioner must file a verified petition stating the nature of the alleged abuse, and the court may only issue a protective order if it finds domestic abuse by a preponderance of the evidence under § 236.5.

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

Petitioners should collect any evidence that shows the abuse or threats, such as police reports, medical records documenting injuries, photographs of harm or property damage, printed text messages or emails, sworn eyewitness statements, and written notes or voicemails containing threats. At the protection-order hearing, Iowa Code § 236.4(1) requires the petitioner to prove the abuse by a "preponderance of the evidence", meaning the court must find it more likely than not that the abuse occurred.

For an emergency (ex parte) order, the court need only find a prima facie case of domestic abuse—that is, sufficient initial evidence to justify immediate, short-term protection (Iowa Code § 236.3(2)).

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

A temporary (ex parte) protective order can usually be granted on the same day the petition is filed if the court finds immediate danger (Iowa Code § 236.6), and the full hearing to decide on a longer-term order is then set for not less than five and not more than fifteen days after filing (Iowa Code § 236.4(1)).

How Long Does A Restraining Order Last In Iowa?

Under Iowa law, duration varies by type and stage: an emergency restraining order, also called an ex parte order, usually lasts 5 to 7 days and is meant to give quick protection until a judge can hold a hearing. If the court then issues a temporary protective order, it will typically remain in effect for about two to three weeks or through the hearing date; following the hearing, a final protective order can extend protection up to five years—unless the court specifies a shorter time frame—and petitioners can renew prior to their expiration in order to maintain the order without re-proving the initial grounds, though new evidence of ongoing risk might be required.

How Much Does A Restraining Order Cost in Iowa?

Many petitioners pay nothing out of pocket because Iowa law waives all filing fees and court costs for protective orders in domestic abuse cases (Iowa Code § 236.3(3)(a)) and sexual- or elder-abuse cases (Iowa Code § 236A.3(3)(a)), and requires the sheriff or other law enforcement to serve papers at no charge to the petitioner (Iowa Code § 236.3(3)(b)). If certified copies of the order are needed, the clerk charges $30 per copy under Iowa Code § 602.8105(2)(b). Petitioners who opt to use private process servers should expect to pay additional fees—often between $20 and $100 per service—but the court may order the respondent to reimburse those costs if they have the ability to pay.

Can You Cancel A Restraining Order In Iowa?

Both the petitioner and respondent in Iowa can request changes or cancellation of a restraining order by filing the appropriate motion with the court that issued the order. The process works like this:

Choose the correct form: Either party must complete and submit the "Request to Modify, Cancel, or Extend Protective Order" form available from the Clerk of Court or the Iowa Judicial Branch website.

Give notice: The person who wants to change or cancel the order has to make sure the other person gets a copy of the papers in person so they know about the court date.

Go to court: A judge will hold a hearing where both people can come, talk about what happened, and show any proof they have. The judge considers whether circumstances have changed—such as reduced risk or mutual agreement—before modifying, extending, or canceling the order.

Court approval: Any change—whether it is ending the order early, adjusting its terms, or extending its duration—must be approved by the judge before taking effect. The court's final decision is then officially entered into court records.