You must file your Order of Protection in the county where: 

• You live, 
• The abuser lives,
• The events happened, or
• You are temporarily staying to avoid further abuse.

If you can file in more than one county, pick the location that is safest and most convenient for you. Talk to an advocate if you need help.

Some courts prefer a specific way of filing. You may want to contact the circuit clerk where you will file before you start.

All of the options on this page use the statewide Order of Protection forms, which are accepted throughout Illinois.

Talk to an advocate

There are local advocacy agencies that can help you as you file an order of protection with free and confidential services. You can also call the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at (877) 863-6338 to talk with someone who can help you figure out your legal and safety options. 

Cook County

After hours: Cook County domestic violence courts have limited hours during nights and weekends. If you want to see a judge during these limited hours, use the Emergency Order of Protection - Cook County Easy Form. 

Cook County after-hours clerks and judges are available only:

• Monday through Friday: 9:00 PM to 3:00 AM
• Saturday and Sunday: 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Any time:

• Make and e-file your forms using the Odyssey Guide and File, or
• Make forms using the Order of protection Easy Form. You have to file or e-file these forms on your own.

Boone, DuPage, Lake, Will, and Winnebago counties

• Make and e-file your forms using the Protective Order System, or
• Make forms using the Order of protection Easy Form. You have to file or e-file these forms on your own.

DeKalb, Grundy, Kendall, LaSalle, and McHenry counties

Make and e-file your forms using:

• The Protective Order System, or
• Odyssey Guide and File.

Make forms using the Order of protection Easy Form. You have to file or e-file these forms on your own.

Tazewell County

Make forms using the Order of protection Easy Form. You have to file or e-file these forms on your own.

All other Illinois counties

• Make and e-file your forms using the Odyssey Guide and File, or
• Make forms using the Order of protection Easy Form. You have to file or e-file these forms on your own.

Easy Forms and fillable forms accepted everywhere

You can use our Order of protection Easy Form to make forms you can file or e-file anywhere in Illinois. If you prefer fillable PDFs, you can download and print them from the Illinois Courts website. 

Filing your forms

Use the above information for ways to file in each county. If you need to file the forms on your own, you have two options.

• You can file paper forms in person. You will need to fill out a simple e-filing exemption.
• You can e-file your forms online. Learn more about e-filing in Illinois.
• You can file your forms through email.