The Pennsylvania Petition for Protection from Abuse is the court document a victim of domestic violence files in the Court of Common Pleas to ask a judge for a civil order that legally restrains an abuser from contact, abuse, or shared spaces. It is filed under the Protection From Abuse Act, found at 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 6101–6122, and the petition itself follows the statewide form set by the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure 1901–1905.
Filing the petition is free. According to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Pennsylvania courts handle roughly 40,000 PFA petitions every year, and a meaningful share are dismissed because filers leave key sections blank, write vague allegations, or miss the final hearing. Getting this form right protects your safety, your children, your home, and your access to the courts.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How to complete every box, line, and signature block on the statewide AOPC PFA petition
- 🏛️ Where to file in every Pennsylvania county, including after-hours emergency filings
- 👨👩👧 Three full filer walkthroughs covering spouses, dating partners, and household members
- ⚖️ How to ask for firearms relinquishment, custody, exclusive possession, and support
- 🚨 The specific mistakes that get PFA petitions denied or weakened, and how to avoid them
What the Pennsylvania PFA Petition Is and Who Must File It
The Petition for Protection from Abuse is a civil pleading. It is not a criminal charge and it does not require police involvement. You file it yourself, in your own name, as the plaintiff. The person you are filing against is the defendant. The judge can issue a temporary order the same day you file and a final order after a hearing held within ten business days, as required by 23 Pa.C.S. § 6107.
You may file a PFA petition if you have been abused by a family or household member, a sexual or intimate partner, or a person with whom you share biological parenthood. The statute defines abuse broadly under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6102. Abuse includes bodily injury, attempted bodily injury, sexual assault, false imprisonment, stalking under 18 Pa.C.S. § 2709.1, and placing another in reasonable fear of imminent serious bodily injury.
Adults file on their own behalf. A parent or guardian may file on behalf of a minor child. The form is the same statewide, although counties such as Philadelphia Family Court and the Allegheny County PFA Department add intake sheets and local cover pages. Always confirm the current revision printed in the lower-right corner of the AOPC form before you file.
The petition triggers three possible orders: an ex parte temporary order the same day, a final order after the hearing, and, in true emergencies after court hours, an Emergency PFA issued by a Magisterial District Judge under Pa.R.C.P. 1903. Knowing which order you need shapes how you fill out the form.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Walk into the Prothonotary’s office prepared. Missing a single date, address, or identifier can stall an ex parte order until the next morning, leaving you unprotected for another night. The petition asks for facts about you, the defendant, your relationship, your children, and the abuse. Gather everything below before you open the form.
- Government-issued photo ID — your driver’s license, state ID, passport, or matricula consular. The clerk uses it to verify the filer.
- The defendant’s full legal name, aliases, date of birth, and physical description — needed for the sheriff to serve the order and for the State Police PFA Database to flag firearms checks.
- The defendant’s home and work addresses — service fails without a current address, and a failed service delays your final hearing.
- A recent photo of the defendant — many counties attach it to the service packet so deputies can identify the right person.
- Vehicle make, model, color, and license plate — useful for the “stay-away” relief and for sheriff service in the field.
- Names, dates of birth, and schools of any minor children — required if you ask for temporary custody or a school stay-away order.
- Dates, locations, and details of the most recent abuse and the worst abuse — the judge needs specifics to issue the temporary order.
- Any police report numbers, hospital records, or prior PFA case numbers — not required, but they sharpen your “Allegations” section.
- Firearms information — types, serial numbers if known, and where the defendant keeps them, so the court can order relinquishment under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105.
- A safe mailing address — a P.O. Box, advocate’s address, or a confidential address through the Pennsylvania Address Confidentiality Program keeps your home address out of the file.
The filing fee is zero. Pennsylvania law forbids charging a victim to file a PFA, per 23 Pa.C.S. § 6106(b). If a court tries to charge you, point to the statute and ask to see a supervisor.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official statewide petition is published by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. You can also obtain the form at any county Prothonotary or Court of Common Pleas office, at hospital-based victim advocacy programs, and at member shelters listed by PCADV’s Find Help directory.
Print the form on plain white paper, single-sided, with no shrinking. Most counties accept handwritten petitions in blue or black ink. A growing number of counties accept fillable PDFs uploaded through their portals, including Philadelphia’s PFA Online filing and Allegheny County’s e-filing system. The statewide AOPC version is the safe default if you are filing in a county you do not know well.
Free legal help is available. The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network connects filers to pro bono attorneys, and the statewide hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (National Domestic Violence Hotline) routes callers to local advocates who walk you through the petition. Many advocates sit with filers in the courthouse and help them write the Allegations of Abuse section.
If safety is your immediate concern, dial 911 first and ask the responding officer about an Emergency PFA through the on-call Magisterial District Judge. That emergency order lasts only until the next business day, when you must file the standard petition at the Court of Common Pleas.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Pennsylvania PFA Petition Line by Line
The statewide AOPC petition runs roughly nine pages. It is divided into a caption, a section about you, a section about the defendant, your relationship to the defendant, household members and children, the allegations, the relief requested, the verification, and any attached affidavits. Fill out every section. If something does not apply, write N/A — never leave a box blank.
Caption: Court of Common Pleas Header and County Name
The caption sits at the very top of page one and identifies the court. The petition asks for the county, the docket number, and the names of the plaintiff and defendant.
Write the county where you live, where the defendant lives, or where the abuse happened. Maria Lopez writes “Lehigh” because she lives in Allentown. Leave the docket number blank — the Prothonotary stamps it after you file. Print your full legal name on the Plaintiff line and the defendant’s full legal name on the Defendant line in CAPITAL LETTERS.
A nuance comes up when you live in one county but the defendant lives in another. You can choose either county, but pick the one where your safety, transportation, and children’s school are easiest to manage. Filing in the wrong county is not fatal — the court can transfer venue under Pa.R.C.P. 1006 — but a transfer can delay your hearing.
A common mistake is using a nickname in the caption. Mike instead of Michael Anthony Rivera causes service problems and makes it harder for police to enforce the order at a traffic stop. The most common misconception is that the docket number is something you create. It is not. The clerk assigns it.
Plaintiff Information: Your Name, Address, and Date of Birth
This section asks who you are. The boxes ask for your full legal name, date of birth, and a mailing address where the court can reach you.
Write your name exactly as it appears on your government ID. Format your date of birth as MM/DD/YYYY. Maria Lopez writes 03/14/1985. For your address, use a safe mailing address — a P.O. Box, an advocate’s office, or your enrolled Address Confidentiality Program substitute address. Do not write your home address if the defendant does not already know it.
The form lets you check a box requesting that your address be kept confidential under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6112. Always check this box if there is any chance the defendant could harm you by knowing where you live or work. Once you check it, the court redacts your address from the public file.
The most common mistake is writing the shared home address you just fled. Doing so puts the address into a public docket the defendant can later request. The misconception filers carry is that if the defendant already knows the address, the box does not matter. It still matters — it controls future disclosure to anyone, including data brokers.
Defendant Information: Identifying the Abuser
This section is the heart of service. The sheriff cannot enforce or deliver the order without precise identifiers. The form asks for the defendant’s full legal name, aliases, date of birth, Social Security number if known, race, sex, height, weight, eye color, hair color, and home and work addresses.
Fill every line you can. If you do not know the SSN, write Unknown — never leave it blank. Maria writes that her husband Carlos Mendoza, also known as “Los,” is 5‘10”, 190 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, born 07/22/1982, and works second shift at a warehouse on Hanover Avenue. Add the defendant’s vehicle and license plate at the bottom of the page if the form provides a line.
A nuance: if the defendant is a current or former member of the military, write that on the form. It triggers the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protections and also affects firearms relinquishment because military firearms are handled separately from civilian ones.
The most common mistake is using a single nickname or only a first name. The sheriff cannot serve “Los” — they need Carlos Mendoza. The misconception is that the court will look the defendant up. It will not. You are the source of every identifier.
Relationship to Defendant: Why You Qualify Under the PFA Act
The court can only grant a PFA if you fall within one of the relationships listed in 23 Pa.C.S. § 6102. The form lists the qualifying categories as checkboxes: spouse or former spouse, parent of a shared child, current or former sexual or intimate partner, family member by blood or marriage, sibling, or current or former household member.
Check every box that applies, not just one. Aisha Carter checks both “current sexual or intimate partner” and “current household member” because she lives with her boyfriend Jamal. If your relationship is a former dating relationship, write the dates the relationship started and ended on the line provided.
A nuance: same-sex partners qualify under “sexual or intimate partner” exactly the same as opposite-sex partners. Adult children abused by a parent qualify under “family member.” Roommates with no romantic relationship usually qualify under “current or former household member.” A first-date acquaintance with no sexual or intimate history does not qualify — that filer needs a Sexual Violence or Intimidation petition instead.
The most common mistake is checking only “spouse” when you are also a co-parent. Checking both strengthens jurisdiction if a divorce later changes your marital status. The misconception is that you must still live with the defendant. You do not — former household members and former partners qualify.
Minor Children and Household Members
This section asks the court to know who else lives in the home and who else may need protection. The form lists lines for each child’s full name, date of birth, school or daycare, and relationship to both parties.
List every minor child in the household, even the defendant’s children from another relationship if they live with you. Maria writes Sofia Lopez-Mendoza, 04/10/2017, Cleveland Elementary, daughter of plaintiff and defendant. If you want the children listed as protected parties on the order, check the box requesting that the order cover them.
A nuance arises when there is an existing custody order. The PFA judge can modify custody on a temporary basis under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108(a)(4), but you must attach a copy of the existing order or list the case number. The PFA temporary custody award lasts only as long as the PFA itself unless extended.
A common mistake is leaving stepchildren or the defendant’s children off the form because they are “not yours.” If a child lives in the household and witnesses abuse, the judge can include them as protected parties. The misconception is that asking for custody on the PFA replaces a Family Court custody case. It does not — you still need a separate custody filing for long-term arrangements.
Allegations of Abuse: The Narrative That Wins or Loses Your Case
This is the single most important section of the petition. Judges read it first. A vague paragraph leads to a denied temporary order. A specific, dated, detailed paragraph leads to a granted one.
Use the most recent incident and the worst incident as your two anchor stories. For each, write the date, the location, who else was present, exactly what the defendant did, what was said, what injuries you suffered, and whether police, EMS, or a hospital responded. Aisha writes: “On 05/18/2026 at approximately 10:30 p.m., at 412 Maple Street, Apt. 3B, Jamal grabbed my throat with both hands, slammed me into the bathroom door, and said ‘I’ll kill you if you leave.’ I could not breathe for several seconds. Officer Reyes, badge 4421, responded and took photos of bruising on my neck. Report number 26-04412.”
A nuance: if there is a long history, list at least three to five separate incidents in reverse chronological order with dates. Pennsylvania judges weigh the pattern of abuse, not just the latest event. Stalking, threats, and coercive control all qualify even without physical injury, per 23 Pa.C.S. § 6102(a)(5).
The most common mistake is writing “he abuses me” with no specifics. The judge cannot grant relief on a conclusion. Write what happened, when, and how. Another misconception is that you need a police report. You do not — your sworn allegations alone are enough for an ex parte order if they describe abuse as defined by statute.
Relief Requested: The Checkboxes That Build Your Order
The form lists every type of relief a PFA judge can grant. You must check every box you want. The judge usually will not grant relief you did not ask for.
The checkboxes track 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108. They include: no abuse, no contact, eviction from a shared residence, exclusive possession of the residence, temporary custody of the children, supervised visitation, child support and spousal support, payment of out-of-pocket losses, firearms relinquishment, prohibition on acquiring firearms, and “other appropriate relief.”
Marcus Bell, filing against his abusive father in their shared home, checks “no abuse,” “no contact,” “evict the defendant from 88 Larch Lane,” “exclusive possession of the residence,” and “firearms relinquishment” because his father owns three rifles. If you want the defendant to pay your medical bills or replace a broken phone, check “out-of-pocket losses” and attach receipts.
A nuance: firearms relinquishment is mandatory in some cases under federal law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8), once a final order is entered. Always check the firearms boxes if the defendant has guns or threatens to get one. The order also forces the defendant to surrender any concealed-carry permit.
The most common mistake is checking only “no contact” and forgetting “evict from the residence.” Without the eviction box, the defendant can legally come back home. The misconception is that firearms relief is automatic. It is not — you must request it and identify the firearms when possible.
Verification and Signature
At the end of the petition you sign a verification under Pa.R.C.P. 1024, swearing the facts are true to the best of your knowledge. Lying on a verification is a misdemeanor under 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904.
Sign and date the line in the presence of the Prothonotary clerk or a notary, depending on the county. Print your name beneath your signature. Maria signs “Maria E. Lopez” and prints “MARIA ELENA LOPEZ” on 05/22/2026. Use blue ink so the original is easy to tell from copies.
A nuance: minors filing on their own behalf usually need a parent or guardian to co-sign. A parent filing for a child signs as the parent and natural guardian of [child’s name], a minor. Always write that exact phrase if you are filing for a child.
The most common mistake is signing the verification at home before reaching the courthouse. Counties differ — some accept pre-signed petitions, others require you to sign in front of the clerk. Call ahead. The misconception is that the verification is just a formality. It is sworn testimony, and exaggerating is grounds for dismissal and possible criminal charges.
Confidential Information Form and Address Confidentiality
Under Pa.R.A.P. 1.75 and the statewide Public Access Policy, you must attach a Confidential Information Form listing your full address, SSNs, financial account numbers, and children’s identifying information so they stay out of the public docket.
Fill in every box on the Confidential Information Form. Aisha writes her real home address there, her bank account number for the support request, and her child’s full SSN. Keep this form physically separate from the petition itself — courts file it under seal.
A nuance: if you are enrolled in the Address Confidentiality Program, use your ACP substitute address on the petition and your real address only on the Confidential Information Form. Show your ACP card to the clerk.
The most common mistake is putting confidential data on the petition itself, which then becomes public. The misconception is that the seal is automatic. It is not — you must use the right form and label it correctly.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Maria, a Spouse Fleeing Physical Abuse with Two Children
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| County of Filing | Lehigh |
| Plaintiff Name and DOB | MARIA ELENA LOPEZ, 03/14/1985 |
| Plaintiff Address | Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley, 801 Hamilton St., Allentown, PA 18101 (confidential) |
| Defendant Name and Identifiers | CARLOS MENDOZA, aka “Los,” DOB 07/22/1982, 5‘10”, 190 lbs, brown eyes, black hair |
| Relationship | Spouse and parent of shared children — checked |
| Children to Be Protected | Sofia Lopez-Mendoza 04/10/2017; Diego Lopez-Mendoza 11/02/2019 |
| Allegations of Abuse | On 05/20/2026 at our home, Carlos punched me in the jaw and threatened to kill me with his Glock 19 if I left. Police report 26-09812. Prior incidents 03/14/2026 and 12/24/2025. |
| Relief Requested | No abuse, no contact, eviction, exclusive possession, temporary custody, child support, firearms relinquishment |
| Verification Signature | Maria E. Lopez, 05/22/2026 |
Scenario 2: Aisha, a Dating Partner Facing Stalking and Strangulation
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| County of Filing | Philadelphia |
| Plaintiff Name and DOB | AISHA RENEE CARTER, 09/01/1996 |
| Plaintiff Address | Women Against Abuse, P.O. Box 13758, Philadelphia, PA 19101 |
| Defendant Name and Identifiers | JAMAL DEWAYNE PIERCE, DOB 06/14/1994, 6‘1”, 215 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, drives black 2019 Dodge Charger PA tag LRX-4421 |
| Relationship | Current sexual or intimate partner; current household member — both checked |
| Children to Be Protected | N/A |
| Allegations of Abuse | On 05/18/2026 at 412 Maple St., Jamal grabbed my throat, slammed me into the door, and said “I’ll kill you if you leave.” Officer Reyes, badge 4421, responded. Stalking via 47 calls in 24 hours documented on 05/19/2026. |
| Relief Requested | No abuse, no contact, eviction, exclusive possession of 412 Maple St., firearms relinquishment, no acquisition of firearms |
| Verification Signature | Aisha R. Carter, 05/22/2026 |
Scenario 3: Marcus, an Adult Son Filing Against an Abusive Parent
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| County of Filing | Allegheny |
| Plaintiff Name and DOB | MARCUS LEE BELL, 02/27/2003 |
| Plaintiff Address | Center for Victims, 5916 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206 |
| Defendant Name and Identifiers | RAYMOND BELL SR., DOB 11/30/1968, 6‘0”, 240 lbs, hazel eyes, gray hair, owns 3 long guns |
| Relationship | Family member by blood — parent — checked |
| Children to Be Protected | N/A |
| Allegations of Abuse | On 05/15/2026 at 88 Larch Lane, my father struck me with a closed fist twice and threatened me with a hunting rifle. EMS treated facial swelling. Pattern of physical abuse since 2019. |
| Relief Requested | No abuse, no contact, eviction from 88 Larch Lane, exclusive possession, firearms relinquishment, other relief: prohibit defendant from coming within 500 feet of my workplace at UPMC Shadyside |
| Verification Signature | Marcus L. Bell, 05/22/2026 |
A fourth named example threads through the article: Janet Walker, a 58-year-old former spouse who files in Dauphin County after her ex-husband resumes harassing phone calls. A fifth filer, Linh Nguyen, files in Montgomery County with a court-certified Vietnamese interpreter and uses the Language Access Plan to complete every section.
How to File the Completed Form
In-Person at the Court of Common Pleas
Bring the petition, the Confidential Information Form, your ID, and any supporting documents to the Prothonotary or Family Court Intake in your county between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. There is no filing fee. The clerk time-stamps the petition, assigns a docket number, and walks you to the duty judge for an ex parte hearing the same day. Keep the time-stamped copy as your proof of filing.
After-Hours Emergency PFA Through a Magisterial District Judge
If the courthouse is closed and you face an immediate danger, call 911 or your local police. The officer contacts the on-call Magisterial District Judge who can grant an Emergency PFA by phone or in person under Pa.R.C.P. 1903. The emergency order is free and lasts only until the next business day. You must then file a standard PFA petition at the Court of Common Pleas the next morning.
Online and E-Filing in Select Counties
A handful of counties accept e-filed PFA petitions. Philadelphia’s PFA Online and Allegheny County’s portal allow filers to submit through advocate organizations. Upload the completed PDF, the Confidential Information Form, and your ID. Processing time is typically same-day, and you receive an email confirmation that serves as proof of filing.
Mail and Fax
Pennsylvania does not generally permit mailed or faxed PFA petitions because the ex parte hearing requires the filer’s appearance before a judge. If you cannot travel, contact a local PCADV-member shelter to arrange transportation or remote filing assistance.
In every channel, keep two copies for yourself and bring three copies to the hearing — one for you, one for the court, and one for the sheriff to serve.
What Happens After You File
Within minutes to hours of filing, you stand before a judge for an ex parte hearing. The judge reads the petition, may ask a few questions, and decides whether to grant a Temporary Order under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6107(b). The temporary order takes effect once the sheriff serves it on the defendant.
The court schedules a Final Hearing within ten business days. At that hearing, both you and the defendant may present evidence, witnesses, and police reports. The judge decides by a preponderance of the evidence whether to issue a Final PFA, which can last up to three years and may be extended.
The sheriff serves the temporary order at no cost to you. Once served, the order goes into the Pennsylvania State Police PFA Database, which alerts officers nationwide and flags federal firearms checks. If the defendant violates any term, call 911 — indirect criminal contempt under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6114 carries up to six months in jail and a fine.
Bring witnesses, photos, texts, voicemails, and medical records to the final hearing. If you do not appear, the judge dismisses your petition and the temporary order ends. If only the defendant fails to appear, the judge can grant the final order by default.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Leaving the defendant’s date of birth blank. The sheriff cannot identify the right person, delaying service and your protection.
- Writing vague allegations like “he hits me.” Judges deny temporary orders when the petition lacks dates, places, and details.
- Forgetting to check the firearms relinquishment boxes. The defendant keeps every gun until the final hearing, leaving you exposed.
- Putting your real home address on the petition. It becomes public record and reaches the defendant and data brokers.
- Skipping the eviction and exclusive-possession boxes. Without them, the defendant can legally return to the shared home.
- Listing only one child when more live in the household. Unlisted children lose protection and may stay in the abuser’s reach.
- Signing the verification in the wrong place or before the clerk. Some counties reject pre-signed petitions, sending you home to redo it.
- Filing in the wrong county without checking venue. A transfer under Pa.R.C.P. 1006 can push your hearing back days.
- Mixing confidential information into the public petition. Your SSN, account numbers, and children’s data leak into the docket.
- Missing the final hearing date. The judge dismisses the petition and the temporary order dies on the spot.
- Asking for relief you can’t justify. Requesting child support without listing the children or income shows the judge you did not read the form.
- Using a nickname for the defendant. The order becomes hard to enforce when the legal name is missing.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do call 1-800-799-7233 before filing — advocates help with safety planning and can come to court with you.
- Do write specific dates, times, and locations for every incident, because judges need facts not feelings.
- Do check every relief box that fits your situation, because judges rarely grant relief you did not request.
- Do bring a friend, advocate, or attorney to the hearing, because emotional support steadies your testimony.
- Do keep three copies of every document, because courts, sheriffs, and you each need one.
- Do update your address with the court if you move, because missed mail can mean a missed hearing.
- Don’t confront the defendant before or after filing, because contact undermines your “fear of imminent harm” claim.
- Don’t share petition contents on social media, because screenshots become defense exhibits.
- Don’t invite the defendant back even briefly, because a single visit can void the order.
- Don’t exaggerate or fabricate facts, because the verification is sworn testimony with criminal penalties.
- Don’t ignore the final hearing date, because nonappearance dismisses your case.
- Don’t leave any field blank — write N/A if it does not apply, because blanks invite clerical rejections.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Filing pro se is fast, free, and possible — but a trained advocate or attorney makes the petition stronger, especially when children, firearms, or contested custody enter the picture.
Pros of filing pro se:
- It is free and you do not wait for an attorney’s calendar.
- You control every word in the allegations.
- You can file the same day the abuse happens.
- You learn the system, which helps if a final hearing turns contested.
- You keep your story private from a third party until you choose to share it.
Cons of filing pro se:
- You may miss relief options buried in the checkboxes.
- You may write allegations the judge finds too vague.
- You may struggle with cross-examination at the final hearing.
- You may misjudge venue and lose days to a transfer.
- You may not know how to subpoena witnesses or text records.
A free advocate from a PCADV member shelter sits with you, helps draft the allegations, and accompanies you to court at no cost. Free attorneys are available through the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Women Against Abuse, and the Pennsylvania Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service.
Temporary PFA vs. Final PFA at a Glance
| Feature | Temporary vs. Final |
|---|---|
| When issued | Temporary on the day of filing, Final after the hearing within ten business days |
| Standard of proof | Temporary requires immediate danger; Final requires preponderance of the evidence |
| Defendant’s role | Temporary is ex parte with no defendant input; Final is a full hearing with both sides |
| Maximum duration | Temporary until the final hearing; Final up to three years, extendable |
| Firearms surrender | Temporary may include 24-hour relinquishment; Final mandates full surrender per 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) |
| Cost to plaintiff | Both are free under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6106(b) |
| Appeal rights | Temporary not appealable on its own; Final appealable to the Superior Court within 30 days |
FAQs
Do I need to pay any filing fee for a Pennsylvania PFA petition?
No. Pennsylvania law forbids any court from charging a victim to file a PFA, per 23 Pa.C.S. § 6106(b). Sheriff service is also free.
Can I file a PFA against someone I never lived with?
Yes. Current or former sexual or intimate partners qualify even without cohabitation, under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6102. A first-date stranger does not qualify and needs a Sexual Violence petition instead.
Do I write my full home address in the Plaintiff Address box?
No. Use a confidential or substitute address through the Address Confidentiality Program or an advocate’s office. Put your real address only on the Confidential Information Form.
Should I use my legal name or a nickname for the defendant in the caption?
No to nicknames. Always use the defendant’s full legal name in the caption, with aliases listed in the Defendant Information section so the sheriff can serve and police can enforce the order.
Do I need a police report to get a PFA?
No. Your sworn allegations alone meet the standard for a temporary order if the facts describe abuse under the statute. A police report strengthens but does not replace your petition.
Can I ask for child support and custody on the same petition?
Yes. 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108 lets the PFA judge order temporary custody and support. A separate Family Court case is still needed for long-term arrangements.
Will the defendant lose firearms automatically?
No. You must check the firearms relinquishment boxes and identify guns when possible. Federal law under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) then prohibits possession once the final order is entered.
Should I leave a box blank if I do not know the answer?
No. Write Unknown or N/A in any box you cannot answer. Blanks cause clerical rejections and look like missing information to the judge.
Can a parent file a PFA on behalf of a minor child?
Yes. A parent or legal guardian signs as the child’s representative and writes “as parent and natural guardian of [child’s name], a minor” on the verification line.
Do same-sex partners and unmarried couples qualify?
Yes. Pennsylvania’s PFA law applies equally to same-sex and opposite-sex sexual or intimate partners and to current or former household members, per 23 Pa.C.S. § 6102.
Will the defendant see my Allegations of Abuse before the hearing?
Yes. The sheriff serves the petition with the temporary order. Write only true facts and avoid private information you do not want disclosed during the hearing.
Can I get an interpreter at the courthouse?
Yes. Every Pennsylvania court provides a free certified interpreter under the Language Access Plan. Tell the clerk your language when you file.
What happens if I miss the final hearing?
No order survives. The judge dismisses your petition and the temporary order ends immediately. You may refile, but you lose the protection in place.
Can the defendant get the order dropped if I take them back?
Yes. Only the court can modify or dismiss the order. Even if you reconcile, contact must wait for a judge’s signed dismissal — otherwise the defendant still risks arrest for contempt.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.980(c)(1) (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Order of Protection + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Pennsylvania Civil Cover Sheet (Common Pleas) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Pennsylvania Final Protection from Abuse Order + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Pennsylvania Temporary Protection from Abuse Order + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Ohio Petition for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form DV-100 (w/Examples) + FAQs