Protection for adults from abuse, stalking and sexual assault
For crisis lines, shelters and where to file in the St. Louis area, see our Domestic Violence Corner.
An adult order of protection is a Missouri court order that protects an adult from abuse or stalking by a family or household member, or from stalking or sexual assault by anyone.
The short answer. Any adult, meaning anyone 17 or older or a younger person who has been emancipated, can file. The court sets a hearing, and at that hearing the person who filed presents their case to the judge. If the judge grants a full order, the person it is entered against is restrained from abusing, stalking or contacting the victim, and the order lasts from 180 days to one year in most cases.
This page covers who can file, how an adult order differs from a child order, what a full order can do, and how long it lasts. For a deeper look at what the judge must find at the hearing, see our St. Louis domestic violence and order of protection guide.
Who Can File an Adult Order of Protection?
Missouri’s Adult Abuse Act defines an adult as any person 17 years of age or older, or otherwise emancipated (RSMo 455.010). An adult can file in either of two situations (RSMo 455.020).
Domestic violence by a family or household member
Abuse or stalking by a spouse or former spouse, a relative by blood or marriage, someone you live with or have lived with, someone you have a child with, or someone you are or were in a continuing romantic or intimate relationship with.
Stalking or sexual assault by anyone
No family or relationship connection is required. A coworker, a neighbor, an acquaintance or a stranger who stalks or sexually assaults you can be the subject of an order.
Leaving your home to get away from the abuse does not affect your right to ask for an order (RSMo 455.020.2).
Missouri domestic violence programs served more than 2,000 people on a single day in 2025, and our domestic violence statistics page explains the numbers.
Being hurt, threatened or stalked? Find out what an adult order of protection can do for you.
Spend a full hour with an experienced Bardol Law Firm attorney going through the details of your case, understanding your rights, and leaving with clear next steps. It is personalized guidance you can use whether or not you hire us afterward.
$300 · One full hour with an attorney · No obligation to retain our firm
Adult Order vs. Child Order of Protection
Adult order of protection
Filed by the adult who needs protection, under the Adult Abuse Act. The petitioner speaks for themselves at the hearing.
Child order of protection
For a child under 17 who is not emancipated. It is filed on the child’s behalf by a parent, guardian, guardian ad litem, court-appointed special advocate or the juvenile officer, under a separate part of Chapter 455.
If the person you need protection from is under 17, an adult order can still be sought, but once an ex parte order is entered the case is transferred to juvenile court for the full hearing, and the court appoints a guardian ad litem for the respondent if no parent or guardian represents them (RSMo 455.035).
How the Process Works
File the petition
You file a verified Petition for Order of Protection describing what happened, with dates and details. There is no filing fee for the petitioner.
Ask for an ex parte order if you are in danger now
If the petition shows an immediate and present danger, a judge can enter a temporary ex parte order right away, before the respondent is heard.
Present your case at the hearing
The court sets a full hearing, generally within 15 days of filing. You must attend and present your case to the judge, and you must prove the allegations by a preponderance of the evidence (RSMo 455.040). The respondent can present evidence too.
The full order
If the judge grants the petition, the court enters a full order of protection and sends it to law enforcement so it can be enforced.
What a Full Adult Order of Protection Can Do
Once the order is granted, the person it was filed against is restrained from harming or harassing the victim. Depending on the facts, a full order can include these terms (RSMo 455.050).
A violation is a class A misdemeanor, and a class E felony if the person has pleaded guilty to or been found guilty of violating an order of protection within the previous five years (RSMo 455.085).
Nobody should face abuse or stalking without understanding their options.
That is why Bardol Law Firm handles family law and nothing else. We spend every day in these courts, and we explain things in plain English. So we built a one-hour strategy session with you, an experienced attorney, and your actual case, with clear next steps by the end.
$300 · One full hour with an attorney · No obligation to retain our firm
How Long an Adult Order of Protection Lasts
Ask for renewal before the order runs out. A full order can be renewed on your motion, and no new incident of abuse is required. But once an order has expired there is nothing left to renew, so the motion has to be filed before the expiration date. See our page on renewing an order of protection.
How Bardol Law Firm Helps With an Adult Order of Protection
Our St. Louis order of protection lawyers handle these situations with compassion and take them very seriously. We pursue the best legal protection available for you moving forward. We work efficiently to bring your case before the judge, present your evidence clearly, and have an order put in place as quickly as the law allows when it is appropriate.
We also represent people who have been served with a petition they believe is unfounded. If that is your situation, read Can I Fight the Order of Protection Against Me? and talk with us before the hearing. Either way, contact Bardol Law Firm to talk through your adult order of protection.
Not sure how this applies to your situation?
Bardol Law Firm handles family law and nothing else, in St. Louis County, St. Louis City, St. Charles County and Jefferson County. We return calls from potential clients as quickly as possible, and usually within minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adult Orders of Protection
Who can file for an adult order of protection in Missouri?
Anyone 17 or older, or a younger person who has been emancipated, can file. The petitioner must have been the victim of abuse or stalking by a family or household member, or of stalking or sexual assault by anyone.
Do I have to go to court to get an adult order of protection?
Yes, a full order is entered only after a hearing where you present your case to the judge. An ex parte order can be entered before the hearing when there is an immediate danger, but it lasts only until the hearing.
How long does an adult order of protection last?
A standard full order lasts at least 180 days and no more than one year. If the court finds the respondent poses a serious danger, it can last two to ten years, and orders can be renewed if you file before they expire.
Can I get an adult order of protection against someone I am not related to?
Yes, if that person has stalked or sexually assaulted you. For abuse other than stalking or sexual assault, the person must be a family or household member, which includes current and former dating partners in a continuing romantic or intimate relationship.
This page provides general information about Missouri order of protection law and is not legal advice. Every situation is different, and outcomes depend on the specific facts. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
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