Texas Judicial

Branch

Rules & Forms

Standardized Protective Order Forms 

Overview

The 88th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 48 which requires the Office of Court Administration (OCA) to create standardized forms for the application and issuance of protective orders (Chapters 71- 85, Family Code; Chapter 7B, Subchapter A, Code of Criminal Procedure); magistrate’s orders for emergency protection (Article 17.292, Code of Criminal Procedure); and temporary ex parte orders (Chapter 83, Family Code; Article 7B.002, Code of Criminal Procedure). The deadline for the creation and posting of the forms on the OCA website is June 1, 2024 (SB 48, Section 9).

OCA created the standardized forms after receiving input from over 65 stakeholders, including:

  • the Texas Council on Family Violence;
  • the Department of Public Safety;
  • nonprofit organizations that advocate for the survivors of sexual assault or family violence;
  • individuals, organizations, and state agencies that provide training to judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers;
  • the judges or justices of courts of varying jurisdictions;
  • law enforcement agencies;
  • prosecutors; and
  • organizations that receive federal funding under the legal assistance for victims grant program and that have expertise in issues related to family violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

The forms are divided into two groups. The first group includes mandatory forms. Applicants and courts are required by law to use these forms. The second group includes discretionary forms. These forms are available, but users are not required to use them. Users are free to create their own discretionary forms to fit their particular needs. More forms will be added to the discretionary group as they become available.

All users are encouraged to review the instructions, documents, and the FAQs for more information.

If you need further assistance, please contact our Domestic Violence Training Attorney, Kimberly Piechowiak, at kim.piechowiak@txcourts.gov or (512) 936-6390.

Mandated Forms

Temporary Ex Parte and Final Protective Orders

Magistrate Order for Emergency Protection (MOEP)

Other Forms (Discretionary)