Apply for a domestic abuse protection order in a family court
How to apply to a family court for an order protecting you or someone else from domestic abuse, or the risk of domestic abuse.
Applies to England
Domestic abuse protection orders
A domestic abuse protection order (DAPO) can:
- stop someone coming to or near your home
- decide who can stay or return to your home
- order the person to attend a behavioural change programme
- order the person to wear an electronic tag to check they’re keeping to the conditions of the order
There are no court fees for applying.
If you have an ongoing civil case in a county court with the person you need protection from, you must apply to a county court instead.
Who can apply
You can only apply for a DAPO if the person you need protection from either lives in:
- Greater Manchester
- the London boroughs of Croydon, Bromley or Sutton
If the person you need protection from does not live in one of these areas, you can apply for a non-molestation or occupation order instead.
Where to apply
You can only apply in the following family courts:
If the person you need protection from lives in Sutton, you can apply either in Croydon or Bromley.
You may have to travel to one of these areas to attend a hearing, even if you do not live there.
If you cannot travel to one of these areas, you can apply for a non-molestation or occupation order at your local family court instead.
How to apply
You’ll need to complete:
If you’re applying on behalf of someone else, you’ll also need to complete form DA2.
Keeping your information confidential
If you do not want your or your child’s contact details shared with the person you need protection from, you must not include them in your application.
You’ll need to complete form C8 and send it to the court with your application.
Completing a supporting witness statement
You can use the supporting witness statement template available on form DA1.
The template helps you to provide the information needed by the court.
You do not need to use the template if you would prefer to write your own statement. However, you must read the guidance in the template.
If you choose to write your own supporting witness statement, it must include the following statement of truth, your signature and the date:
I understand that proceedings for contempt of court may be brought against anyone who makes, or causes to be made, a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth without an honest belief in its truth. I believe that the facts stated in this form and any continuation sheets are true.
Serve the application or order
After the court has accepted your application, a copy must be given to the person you need protection from (unless the court has agreed to hear your case without them being told). This is called “serving the application”.
If the court grants an order, the order must be served on the person you need protection from.
You must not serve the application or order yourself. If you do not have legal representation, you must also complete form D89 to ask for a court official to serve the application or order. You must send it to the court with your application.
Once the application or order has been served, you must complete form DA415 to tell the court:
- who has been served
- what they have been served with
Vary or discharge an order
You can only apply to vary or discharge a DAPO if it is still in force.
You must complete form DA3 and send it to the family court that made the order.
There are no court fees for applying.
Where to send the forms
Send by email
You can send your completed forms and any supporting documents to the court by email.
You must email one copy of each form you send.
Find the court’s contact details
Send by post or deliver in person
You can send your completed forms and any supporting documents to the court by post or deliver them in person.
If you do not have legal representation, you must post or deliver one copy of each form you send.
If you do have legal representation, you must post or deliver 3 copies of each form you send. If you’re asking the court to order something to do with a property, then you must post or deliver 4 copies. You can ask your legal representative to make copies.
Find the court’s contact details
Get help
Royal Courts of Justice (RCJ) Advice offers support for victims of domestic abuse. They can help you find legal advisors to:
- discuss your options with you
- help you with your application
Find out more about how RCJ Advice can help you
List of all family court DAPO forms
- Apply for a domestic abuse protection order in a family court: Form DA1
- Ask for permission to apply for a domestic abuse protection order on behalf of someone else: Form DA2
- Apply to vary or discharge a domestic abuse protection order made in a family court: Form DA3
- Certificate of service for domestic abuse protection orders in a family court: Form DA415