STATE OF MINNESOTA

DISTRICT COURT, [JUDICIAL DISTRICT]

FAMILY COURT DIVISION

Court File No.: [___]

ORDER FOR PROTECTION

(Domestic Violence Protection Order Template)

[// GUIDANCE: This is a fully-formatted template for a Minnesota Order for Protection (“OFP”) under Minn. Stat. § 518B.01. Insert matter-specific facts in all bracketed placeholders. Delete any bracketed options that do not apply to the case.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Document Header
2. Recitals & Jurisdictional Findings
3. Definitions
4. Operative Injunctive Provisions
5. Representations, Certifications & Findings
6. Covenants & Continuing Obligations
7. Default, Enforcement & Penalties
8. Dispute Resolution & Governing Law
9. General Provisions
10. Execution Block

1. DOCUMENT HEADER

1.1 Parties
a. Petitioner: [PETITIONER NAME], date of birth [____], residing at [CONFIDENTIAL OR PUBLIC ADDRESS].
b. Respondent: [RESPONDENT NAME], date of birth [____], residing at [ADDRESS].

1.2 Children Involved (if any)
• [NAME, DOB]
• [NAME, DOB]

1.3 Effective Date
This Order shall become effective immediately upon signing by the Court (the “Effective Date”) and shall remain in force until [EXPIRATION DATE OR “further order of the Court”], unless otherwise modified, extended, or vacated pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 518B.01.

1.4 Jurisdiction & Venue
The Court has subject-matter jurisdiction under Minn. Stat. § 518B.01 and personal jurisdiction over the parties. Venue is proper in [COUNTY] County, Minnesota.

2. RECITALS & JURISDICTIONAL FINDINGS

2.1 Relationship of the Parties
The parties are [spouses / former spouses / parents of a child in common / residing or have resided together / related by blood (specify)].

2.2 Allegations & Prima Facie Showing
The Petition alleges acts of “domestic abuse,” as that term is defined in Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 2(a), namely [brief description of alleged conduct] committed on or about [DATE] within [COUNTY] County, Minnesota.

2.3 Notice & Opportunity to Be Heard
Respondent was [served personally / appeared voluntarily] on [DATE], satisfying the due-process requirements of Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 5.

2.4 Immediate Need for Protection
The Court finds that Petitioner and/or the minor child(ren) are in need of immediate relief to prevent further domestic abuse.

[// GUIDANCE: Add or delete findings as required by the facts and local practice.]

3. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Order:

a. “Act of Domestic Abuse” means any act referenced in Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 2(a).
b. “Contact” includes but is not limited to in-person contact, telephone calls, text messages, emails, social media, or third-party communications.
c. “Excluded Residence” means the dwelling located at [ADDRESS] from which Respondent is ordered excluded herein.
d. “Firearm” is defined as in 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(3) and Minn. Stat. § 609.66, subd. 1.
e. “Order” means this Order for Protection, including any attachments, amendments, or extensions.

4. OPERATIVE INJUNCTIVE PROVISIONS

4.1 No Abuse
Respondent SHALL NOT commit any Act of Domestic Abuse against Petitioner or the minor child(ren).

4.2 No Contact
Respondent SHALL NOT have any Contact with Petitioner or the minor child(ren), except:
• [court-ordered parenting time / through counsel / as otherwise specifically permitted below].

4.3 Exclusion From Residence
Respondent is ORDERED to vacate the Excluded Residence immediately and shall remain excluded for the duration of this Order.

4.4 Temporary Custody & Parenting Time
a. Legal Custody: [SOLE TO PETITIONER / JOINT].
b. Physical Custody: [SOLE TO PETITIONER / JOINT].
c. Parenting Time: [Supervised visitation at a certified facility / reasonable phone contact / NONE].

4.5 Surrender & Prohibition on Firearms
Respondent shall surrender all Firearms, ammunition, and permits to the [COUNTY] County Sheriff within 24 hours of service of this Order and is prohibited from possessing same for the duration of the Order pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 6(g).

4.6 Support & Maintenance (Interim)
Respondent shall pay temporary child support and/or spousal maintenance in the amount of $[AMOUNT] per [week/month] commencing [DATE]. Withholding shall issue.

4.7 Counseling & Treatment
Respondent is ORDERED to enroll in and complete [domestic violence treatment program / chemical dependency assessment] within [DAYS] and provide proof of enrollment to the Court by [DATE].

4.8 Law Enforcement Assist & Property Retrieval
a. Law enforcement is directed to remove Respondent from the Excluded Residence and ensure peaceful transfer of personal effects as listed in Attachment A.
b. A one-time, time-limited retrieval of personal property shall occur on [DATE] between [TIME] and [TIME], in law-enforcement presence.

4.9 Other Relief
[Insert any additional court-authorized remedies: e.g., phone number transfer, pet protection, cost reimbursement].

5. REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS & FINDINGS

5.1 Petitioner’s Certification
Petitioner has executed the Petition and Affidavit under penalty of perjury in compliance with Minn. Stat. § 358.116.

5.2 Respondent’s Appearance or Default
Respondent [appeared and was heard / failed to appear after proper service and is in default].

5.3 Service of Process
Proof of service is filed herein showing compliance with Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 5.

5.4 Judicial Findings
a. Domestic abuse has occurred.
b. The relief granted herein is the least restrictive means necessary to protect Petitioner and/or the minor child(ren).

6. COVENANTS & CONTINUING OBLIGATIONS

6.1 Compliance Monitoring
Respondent shall keep the Court apprised of any address change within 48 hours.

6.2 Mandatory Disclosures
Respondent shall disclose, within 48 hours, the location and serial numbers of all Firearms in Respondent’s actual or constructive possession as of the Effective Date.

6.3 Notice of Other Proceedings
Each party shall immediately notify this Court of any pending or subsequently filed family- or criminal-court proceeding that may affect or conflict with this Order.

7. DEFAULT, ENFORCEMENT & PENALTIES

7.1 Criminal Enforcement
Violation of this Order is a crime punishable under Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 14, and may also constitute contempt of court.

7.2 Civil Contempt
Upon clear and convincing evidence of violation, this Court may impose fines, incarceration, or other remedial sanctions pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 588.10.

7.3 Arrest Without Warrant
Peace officers shall, without warrant, arrest Respondent upon probable cause of violation in accordance with Minn. Stat. § 629.75.

7.4 Attorney’s Fees & Costs
The Court may award reasonable attorney’s fees, costs, and disbursements to the prevailing party on any enforcement motion.

7.5 Continuing Jurisdiction
The Court retains jurisdiction to enforce, modify, or extend this Order.

8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION & GOVERNING LAW

8.1 Governing Law
This Order is governed by the Domestic Abuse Act, Minn. Stat. § 518B.01 (2024), and other applicable Minnesota and federal law.

8.2 Forum
Exclusive jurisdiction and venue for any proceeding regarding this Order shall lie in the Minnesota District Court, [JUDICIAL DISTRICT], Family Court Division.

8.3 Arbitration & Jury Waiver
Not applicable; family-court matters are non-jury under Minnesota law.

9. GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Modification or Extension
Either party may move to modify or extend this Order under Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 6a, upon proper notice and filing.

9.2 Severability
If any provision of this Order is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

9.3 Integration
This document constitutes the entire Order; any oral statements are merged herein.

9.4 Service & Proof
A certified copy of this Order shall be served on Respondent by [sheriff/other] and transmitted forthwith to local law-enforcement agencies via the Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) protection-order file.

9.5 Electronic Signatures
The Court’s electronic signature has the same force and effect as an original under Minn. Stat. § 645.44, subd. 14.

10. EXECUTION BLOCK

SO ORDERED.

Dated: [DATE]

Judge of District Court
Name: [PRINTED NAME]
Chambers: [ADDRESS | PHONE]

[// GUIDANCE: Add court seal or electronic stamp per local practice.]

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SERVICE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT

I certify that on [DATE] at [TIME], I personally served a true and correct copy of this Order on Respondent at [LOCATION].

Name & Badge No.: [____]
Agency: [____]
Date: [____]

ATTACHMENT A – PERSONAL PROPERTY RETRIEVAL LIST

1. [Item]
2. [Item]
3. [Item]

[// GUIDANCE: Enumerate only items the Court specifically authorizes Respondent to retrieve under law-enforcement supervision.]

END OF DOCUMENT