Restraining Orders

You can file a petition for a harassment restraining order in any of the following counties:

• where you live;
• where you are temporarily living;
• where the abuser (respondent) lives; or
• where an incident of abuse took place (where the “cause of action arose”).¹

Note: There are certain situations in which you can file in any county within a 100-mile radius of the county seat of the county in which you live (or where you are temporarily living). This applies only if you (the petitioner) are any of the following:

1. a victim advocate;
2. an employee of the county court system;
3. a legal professional practicing law;
4. a current or former law enforcement officer;
5. the spouse of a person listed above in numbers 1 - 4;
6. a person who is/was in a dating relationship with or has a child in common with a person listed above in numbers 1 - 4;
7. an immediate family member of a person listed above in numbers 1 - 4; or
8. a household member of a person listed above in numbers 1 - 4.¹

^​1 Wis. Stat. § 801.50(5s)