Although the rules and names for restraining orders vary in every jurisdiction, there are three common types of restraining orders. of restraining order is an Emergency Protective Order, which goes into effect immediately. Emergency Protective Orders usually arise in situations of police responding to domestic violence calls. A police officer can call a judge at any time and request the Emergency Protective Order if the officer feels it is necessary to prevent imminent harm. An Emergency Protective Order only lasts a short amount of time, usually less than a week, and its purpose is to provide protection and give a victim time to apply for a restraining order. of restraining order is a Temporary Restraining Order, which also lasts only a short period of time, usually less than a month. A Temporary Restraining Order is issued when a victim applies for a restraining order. Its purpose is to provide the victim protection until a hearing can be held and a restraining order can be issued. of restraining order and is usually referred to as simply a Restraining Order. A Permanent Restraining Order can be issued once a hearing has been held, and it can be in effect for up to a set number of years (usually three). Permanent Restraining Orders can be renewed or extended if the victim is still in danger of being subjected to abusive or harassing behavior when the order expires.

The procedure for obtaining a restraining order starts with filling out the necessary paperwork.
The requisite forms can be obtained from the courthouse or online. Many shelters and domestic abuse prevention organizations have the forms accessible for the public. The forms will require the alleged victim to provide personal information, including a specific description of the abusive or harassing behavior from which the alleged victim is seeking protection and identifying information regarding the alleged abuser or harasser. A judge will review the forms and decide whether to issue a Temporary Restraining Order until a hearing can be held. After the Temporary Restraining Order decision has been made, a court date will be set for a hearing on the permanent restraining order. After the hearing date has been set, the alleged victim must arrange for service of the documents on the alleged abuser. At the hearing the alleged victim must prove the alleged abuser or alleged harasser has committed abusive or harassing acts, and the alleged victim needs protection.

If a restraining order is granted, the victim should make numerous copies of the order and keep a copy with him/her at all times. He/she should also leave a copy of the order at their place of employment, and his/her children's school or daycare. If an abuser or harasser violates the restraining order, they are violating the law and the police should be contacted immediately.

One of the most common restraining order mandates is for an individual not to make contact with another person or to stay a certain distance away from the person. Some other common mandates of restraining orders include orders not to: Restraining orders also may grant a victim control over jointly owned property, such as vehicles, bank accounts, or household appliances. They can also order an individual to continue to make loan payments, return personal belongings to the victim, pay certain bills, or attend counseling or other treatment programs. The conditions and restrictions of restraining orders vary based upon the unique circumstances of the case, and the judge can order any reasonable directives he/she feels are necessary to protect the victim.