Court Forms: 209A Restraining Orders

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Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
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Important: 

Call 911 if you are in danger right now.

If you are not in immediate danger, you can call SafeLink at 877-785-2020. It is a 24-hour domestic violence hotline for Massachusetts. You can get help from a SafeLink advocate to fill out these forms.

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209A Restraining Order Application (5 Forms)

209A Restraining Order Application (5 forms) [PDF]

  1. Complaint for Protection from Abuse (G.L. c. 209A)
  2. Complaint for Protection from Abuse (G.L. c. 209A) Page 2 of 2 (only required if you have minor children)
  3. Affidavit
  4. Plaintiff Confidential Information Form
  5. Defendant Information Form

Fill out a 209A application on your phone or computer. Use the guided interview on Court Forms Online. This free online tool helps you fill out the form on your phone or computer by asking you questions. After you answer the questions, the program will generate a completed form that you can then file at court. You can also email the completed form to yourself, an advocate, or save as part of your safety plan.

See a Sample 209A Abuse Prevention Order. [PDF]
If the order is granted, the court will type up your order on this form. It is signed by a judge.

Other forms you may also need in a 209A restraining order case

See Restraining Order Court Forms on Mass.gov and see below.

For instructions on how to fill out these forms, see How to get a 209A Restraining Order.

Child support and custody

Affidavit Disclosing Care or Custody Proceeding Involving a Child [PDF]
This form asks about other family court cases that involve your child. The form tells the court if there are already any court orders about your child. It also tells the court if you are asking the judge to make decisions about your child in the 209A order.

Plaintiff’s Affidavit in Support of Request for Child Support Order [PDF]
You can ask the court to order the defendant to pay child support. This form allows you to fill out basic information about both parents' expenses and income to ask for child support. See a sample Plaintiff's Affidavit in Support of Request for a Child Support Order [PDF].

Defendant's Affidavit in Connection with Request for a Child Support Order [PDF]
This form is for the defendant to fill out basic information about their work, income and expenses, if the plaintiff asks for child support. See a sample Defendant's Affidavit in Connection with Request for a Child Support Order [PDF]. 

Motion for Impoundment

Motion for Impoundment [PDF]
Use this form to ask the court to keep any information in your application a secret from the defendant, the defendant's lawyer, prosecutor, and court staff. You must explain on the form why it is important to keep this information confidential. Your reasons to keep this information confidential must be more than simply to protect your privacy. The reasons must show that you need the court to keep the information confidential so nobody can use it to harm you.

Request for Access to Plaintiff Confidential Information Form

Request for Access to Plaintiff Confidential Information Form [PDF] 
Only certain kinds of people like a prosecutor or a domestic violence counselor can use this form to ask to see the plaintiff's confidential information. See a sample Request for Access to Plaintiff's Confidential Information [PDF].

Translation of Affidavit

Translation of Affidavit [PDF]
Use this form if you file an affidavit that is not written in English. The person who translates your affidavit writes the English translation on this form. The translator also signs and prints their name at the bottom of the page, where it says, in English “I have provided a written translation into English, complete and accurate to the best of my ability.”

Other protections

Petition Filed Pursuant to G.L. c. 209A, § 11 Relative To Domesticated Animal(s) [PDF]
Use this form if your pets need protection from abuse.

Affidavit for Filing Out-of-State Protective Order [PDF]
Use this form to get your protective order from outside Massachusetts enforced in Massachusetts. 

Sample 209A Complaint form seeking protection at school  [PDF]

Sample 209A Order providing protection at school [PDF]

Changing or ending a restraining order

Plaintiff's Motion to Modify or Terminate Abuse Prevention Order [PDF]
Fill out this form to change or end a 209A restraining order, also known as an abuse prevention order. Also see How do I change or end my 209A Restraining Order?

Defendant's Motion to Modify or Terminate Abuse Prevention Order [PDF]
Fill out this form if you are a defendant and you need to change or end a 209A restraining order, also known as an abuse prevention order. 

Resource Boxes
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Who to call for help with domestic violence
DV - Who to call for help

Call 911 if you are in danger right now.

If you are not in immediate danger, you can contact:

See Jane Doe's list of Massachusetts domestic violence programs and court resources for safety and support.

Get help applying for a 209A
DV Help applying for 209A

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