Domestic Violence Protection Order - Wyoming

IMPORTANT: THIS IS A PREPARATION GUIDE — NOT THE OFFICIAL COURT FORM

Wyoming requires the use of official court form PO-DV-03 (Petition for Order of
Protection for Domestic Violence) for domestic violence protection order petitions. This
template provides the substantive legal content to help you prepare — but you must transfer
your content to the official form before filing. The official form is available at
https://www.wyocourts.gov/legal-help-by-topic/domestic-violence/.
Do not file this document directly with the court.

ORDER OF PROTECTION

(Domestic Violence – Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-21-101 et seq.)

[IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF __________ COUNTY, STATE OF WYOMING]

Civil Action No.: [___]

I. DOCUMENT HEADER

1. Parties
   a. Petitioner/Protected Party: [FULL LEGAL NAME] (“Petitioner”)
   b. Respondent/Restrained Party: [FULL LEGAL NAME] (“Respondent”)

2. Recitals
   WHEREAS, Petitioner has filed a verified Petition pursuant to the Wyoming Protection from Domestic Abuse Act, Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-21-103, alleging acts of domestic violence by Respondent; and
   WHEREAS, this Court has jurisdiction over the parties and subject matter, and venue is proper in __________ County, Wyoming;

3. Effective Date & Term
   This Order of Protection (“Order”) is effective immediately upon entry on [DATE] and shall remain in full force until [EXPIRATION DATE — NOT TO EXCEED THREE (3) YEARS, UNLESS EXTENDED], unless modified or terminated by further order of this Court. An order of protection may be granted for a fixed period not to exceed three (3) years and may be extended repetitively upon a showing of good cause for additional periods not to exceed three (3) years each. Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-21-106(b).

4. Governing Law & Forum
   This Order is governed by the laws of the State of Wyoming and is enforceable in any state or tribal court that accords full faith and credit to protection orders pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 2265.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Document Header
II. Definitions
III. Operative Provisions
IV. Findings of Fact & Legal Authority
V. Covenants & Restrictions (Conduct Provisions)
VI. Enforcement, Violation, & Remedies
VII. Risk Allocation & Disclaimer
VIII. Modification, Termination, and Renewal
IX. General Provisions
X. Execution Block

II. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Order, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

1. “Court” – The Circuit Court of __________ County, Wyoming (or the District Court if the county has no circuit court). Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-21-102(a)(ii).
2. “Domestic Abuse” (referred to in this Order as “Domestic Violence”) – The occurrence of one or more of the following acts by a household member, not including acts of self-defense: physically abusing, threatening to physically abuse, attempting to cause or causing physical harm, or acts unreasonably restraining the personal liberty of a household member; placing a household member in reasonable fear of imminent physical harm; or causing a household member to engage involuntarily in sexual activity by force, threat of force, or duress. Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-21-102(a)(iii).
3. “Minor Child(ren)” – Any child(ren) under eighteen (18) years of age listed in Schedule A attached hereto.
4. “No-Contact Provision” – The injunction prohibiting Respondent from any direct or indirect contact with Petitioner or other Protected Persons.
5. “Prohibited Conduct” – Any act that violates the specific restrictions set forth in Section V.
6. “Protected Address” – The residential, school, or employment address(es) designated in Schedule B.
7. “Protected Persons” – Petitioner, the Minor Child(ren), and any other individuals expressly identified in Schedule C.
8. “Service” – Personal service of this Order on Respondent through the county sheriff as provided in Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-21-106(a).
9. “Temporary Order” – Any ex parte order previously entered in this matter under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-21-104.

III. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

1. Immediate Injunctive Relief
   a. Respondent is enjoined from engaging in Prohibited Conduct as detailed in Section V.
   b. Law enforcement shall serve and enforce this Order forthwith.

2. Firearms (Federal Prohibition Only)
   The Wyoming Domestic Violence Protection Act (Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-21-105) does not authorize or require a respondent subject to an order of protection to surrender firearms, and Wyoming imposes no state firearm-surrender procedure in these proceedings. However, if this Order qualifies under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) (issued after notice and a hearing, restraining Respondent from harassing/stalking/threatening an intimate partner, and containing the requisite finding or explicit terms), it is a federal crime for Respondent to possess or receive any firearm or ammunition while this Order is in effect. Any firearm relinquishment is governed by federal law, not by this Order.

3. Custody & Visitation (if applicable)
   Temporary legal and physical custody of the Minor Child(ren) is awarded to Petitioner. Custody and visitation shall be governed by Schedule D.

4. Support (if applicable)
   Respondent shall pay temporary child and/or spousal support in the amount of [$____] per [week/month], commencing [DATE], subject to modification.

5. Property & Residence
   a. Exclusive Use: Petitioner is awarded exclusive use and possession of the residence located at [ADDRESS].
   b. Personal Property Retrieval: Respondent may retrieve personal belongings only once, on [DATE/TIME], in the presence of a peace officer.

IV. FINDINGS OF FACT & LEGAL AUTHORITY

1. Jurisdiction & Notice
   The Court finds that it has subject-matter jurisdiction, personal jurisdiction over Respondent, and that Respondent was provided with proper notice and an opportunity to be heard.

2. Occurrence of Domestic Violence
   Based on the evidence presented, the Court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that Respondent committed acts of Domestic Violence against Petitioner as defined in Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-21-102.

3. Necessity of Protection
   The Court further finds that issuance of this Order is necessary to prevent further abuse, protect the physical safety of Petitioner and the Minor Child(ren), and promote the public interest.

4. Statutory Authority
   This Order is issued pursuant to Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-21-104 and § 35-21-105. If it qualifies, the federal firearm prohibition of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) applies as a matter of federal law.

V. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS (CONDUCT PROVISIONS)

Respondent SHALL:

1. Keep a minimum distance of [____] feet from each Protected Person at all times.
2. Immediately vacate the Protected Address and remain away for the duration of this Order.
3. Comply with any federal firearm prohibition that applies under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) (see Section III.2).
4. Pay support and comply with custody terms herein.

Respondent SHALL NOT:

1. Initiate any contact, direct or indirect, with any Protected Person, including but not limited to phone calls, texts, e-mails, social media, third-party communications, gifts, or surveillance.
2. Harass, stalk, threaten, or commit any further act of Domestic Violence.
3. Enter or come within [____] feet of the Protected Address, Petitioner’s place of employment, or the Minor Child(ren)’s school/day-care facilities.
4. Possess or receive any firearm or ammunition if prohibited from doing so under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8).

VI. ENFORCEMENT, VIOLATION, & REMEDIES

1. Criminal Penalties
   Willful violation of this Order is a crime as defined by Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-4-404 (see Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-21-106(c)), a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, a fine of not more than $750, or both. A violation that constitutes the offense of stalking under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-506(b) may subject Respondent to enhanced penalties for felony stalking under § 6-2-506(e). A criminal prosecution may be commenced in any county in which Respondent commits an act in violation of this Order.

2. Civil Contempt
   The Court retains jurisdiction to enforce this Order through civil contempt, including incarceration and monetary sanctions, upon notice and hearing.

3. Peace Officer Assistance
   Any Wyoming peace officer, or peace officer in another jurisdiction acting under the Violence Against Women Act, shall enforce this Order and may arrest Respondent without a warrant upon probable cause that a violation has occurred, even if the violation did not take place in the officer’s presence.

4. Fees & Costs
   Respondent may be ordered to pay Petitioner’s court costs, service fees, and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred in enforcing this Order.

VII. RISK ALLOCATION & DISCLAIMER

1. Duty to Comply
   Respondent bears sole responsibility for strict compliance with all terms herein.

2. Disclaimer of Court Liability
   The Court and its officers assume no civil liability for any harm resulting from enforcement or non-enforcement of this Order, consistent with sovereign immunity principles.

3. No Indemnification or Liability Caps
   Indemnification and liability limitation provisions are inapplicable to this judicial Order.

VIII. MODIFICATION, TERMINATION, AND RENEWAL

1. Modification
   Either party may move to modify, terminate, or extend this Order pursuant to Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-21-106(b).

2. Termination
   This Order remains in effect until the expiration date stated in Section I.3, unless terminated earlier by Court order.

3. Renewal / Extension
   The Order may be extended repetitively upon a showing of good cause for additional periods not to exceed three (3) years each. Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-21-106(b)(i). Petitioner should file any motion to extend before the Order expires; any extension must be served on Respondent by certified and first-class mail to Respondent’s last known address on file with the clerk.

IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Severability
   If any provision of this Order is adjudged unenforceable, the remainder shall remain in full force and effect.

2. Full Faith & Credit
   This Order shall be accorded full faith and credit pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 2265 and is valid and enforceable in all jurisdictions within and outside the State of Wyoming.

3. Service & Notice
   a. This Order shall be filed with the clerk of court, who shall send a copy to the county sheriff; the sheriff shall, after service, notify the local law enforcement agency in the county where Petitioner resides. The Order shall be personally served on Respondent unless Respondent or Respondent’s attorney was present when it was granted. Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-21-106(a).
   b. This Order shall be entered into the statewide protection order registry. Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-21-110.

4. Copies to Law Enforcement
   Copies of this Order shall be forwarded to the __________ County Sheriff’s Office, __________ City Police Department, and any other relevant law-enforcement entities.

5. Electronic Signatures & Counterparts
   This Order may be signed electronically and issued in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

X. EXECUTION BLOCK

ENTERED AND DATED this ____ day of __________, 20____, at __________ o’clock __.m.

____________________________________
Hon. [JUDGE’S FULL NAME]
Circuit Court Judge (or District Court Judge if the county has no circuit court), __________ County
State of Wyoming

Acknowledgment of Receipt

Respondent hereby acknowledges personal receipt of this Order on the date and time indicated below and understands that violation of any provision herein may result in immediate arrest, criminal prosecution, and/or civil contempt.

____________________________________ _____________________
Respondent (Signature) Date & Time

NOTARY (If Required for Service Affidavit)

State of Wyoming )
County of _______ ) ss.

On this ____ day of __________, 20____, before me, the undersigned authority, personally appeared ____________, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed herein, and acknowledged executing this instrument.

____________________________________
Notary Public
My commission expires: __________

SCHEDULES (attach as needed)

• Schedule A – Minor Child(ren) Information
• Schedule B – Protected Address(es)
• Schedule C – Additional Protected Persons
• Schedule D – Custody & Visitation Terms
• Schedule E – Support Calculation Worksheet

[END OF ORDER]