The Protection From Abuse Office serves as a provider of information for those who may find themselves living in an abusive situation. This office assists in the coordination of various services provided to the public including providing assistance with the intake of forms, the processing and presentation of PFA petitions, the scheduling of hearings and other aspects of administering the Protection from Abuse Act.

Filing a Protection Order

In order to file a PFA, PFI (Protection of Victims from Intimidation) and SVP (Protection of Victims from Sexual Violence) appropriate forms must be completed and presented in person. Forms are available in the Forms and Related Documents sections and in the PFA office. Staff will be available to assist in the completion.  

In order to file a protective order you must be 18 years of age or older. Anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian complete the petition on their behalf. There is no fee for someone to file a Protection petition. The PFA Office is located on the second floor of the Main Courthouse on River Street in Wilkes Barre. No identification is needed to obtain a protective order.

Once a petition is complete, a hearing will be held with a Common Pleas Judge to determine if the protective order will be signed. The hearings are held twice a day.  In order to be scheduled for a hearing in front of a Judge, a completed petition should be presented in person at the PFA Office.  

Emergency Protection From Abuse Orders

Emergency PFA's may be filed after 4:00 p.m. or when the Courthouse is closed (evenings, weekends, and holidays) by contacting the Domestic Violence Service Center at 1-800-424-5600.

Bilingual Forms

Please see the AOPC website for bilingual forms.