If you run out of space on the form, write extra details on a separate sheet and attach it to your form.
Sign the statutory declaration in front of a Justice of the Peace (JP) or Commissioner for Declarations (CDec).
Most Magistrates Courts have JPs available, so you can often do this step at the court.
If you urgently need a temporary protection order and can’t find an authorised witness, you may not need to complete the statutory declaration before filing.
Submit your completed application at a Magistrates Court. You can file it:
- in person
- by post
- by email (in limited circumstances—read more).
What to include in your application
Details
- answer all questions on the form and provide as much information as possible
- describe what domestic violence has happened or been threatened, and when and where it occurred
- attach extra pages if needed.
Additional information on what information to include and how to apply is included here .
Children’s names
- list any children you want included in the protection order, such as:
- children who regularly stay at your home
- unborn children
- even if you don’t include your children, the magistrate may decide to add them if they believe the respondent has committed domestic violence against you.
Need help with your application?
If you need assistance, you can:
Note: The court can provide general information but cannot give legal advice or help you decide what to write in your application.
No fee
There is no cost to apply for a DVO.
Protection while in court
If you apply for a DVO or other type of family order, you will go to court at the same time as the respondent. The courtroom will be a closed court, meaning the only people in the courtroom will be you, the respondent, your lawyers and usually the prosecutor.
As a ‘protected witness’, the court must consider options to help you feel safe in the courtroom. For example, the court can organise for you to speak from another room via video link or, a screen can be positioned to block the respondent from your view.
If you have concerns about your safety when arriving at, being in and leaving the court, complete a domestic and family violence safety form (PDF, 455.8 KB) before going to court.
A registrar will show the details on the form to court staff, security officers, and the domestic violence protection worker who will arrange for your safety, such as safe rooms and security.
We’ll put the form on your court file, but it won’t be part of your domestic violence application and won’t be shown to the respondent.
The domestic and family violence safety form can be submitted when you lodge your order application, or any time after.
After you apply
Once you’ve lodged your application:
- police will serve the respondent a copy so they can prepare their response
- you’ll receive a date for your first appearance at court, which you must attend.
Read more about going to court as an applicant.
If both parties apply for DVOs
Sometimes, both people involved apply for a DVO against each other—this is called a cross application.
If the other person applies for a DVO against you (or is planning to), let the court know.
The court will usually hear both applications at the same time to ensure they identify the person who needs protection the most.
Orders from another states or territories
Under the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme, any DVO issued in one state or territory is automatically recognised and enforceable in all others.
This is as long as the DVO was made on or after 25 November 2017.
DVOs have different names across Australia, including protection order, apprehended domestic violence order, and family violence intervention order.
Older interstate orders
If your interstate DVO was issued before 25 November 2017, you must apply to have it recognised and enforceable in Queensland and the rest of Australia.
To do this:
- Complete Form 35 – Application to declare a DVO to be a recognised interstate order (DOCX, 363.9 KB).
- Have your signature witnessed by a JP or CDec.
- File the completed form at any Magistrates Court.
The respondent won’t be notified unless you agree in writing.
Registering a New Zealand order
If you have a DVO from New Zealand, you must register it in Queensland for it to be recognised and enforceable here. To register your order:
- Complete Form DV14A – Application to register New Zealand order in Queensland.
- Have your signature witnessed by a JP or CDec.
- File the completed form at any Magistrates Court.
The respondent won’t be notified unless you agree in writing.
Making changes to a DVO
If you’re named on a Queensland or interstate DVO, you can apply to change it if your circumstances change.
This process, called an application to vary an order, can be started by anyone named on the order, including the aggrieved, the respondent, or a named person.
Read more about making changes to a domestic violence order.
