Orders of Protection
If you believe you need immediate assistance, contact your local police department or dial 911.
The Order of Protection (OP) case category includes:
- Order of Protection
- Civil No Contact Order
- Stalking No Contact Order
- Firearm Restraining Order
The McHenry County Circuit Clerk provides customized forms with a guided interview at www.illinoisprotectionorder.org to assist with requesting a protection order from the Court. Answering a series of questions will assist you in determining the type of protection order you might qualify for based on your situation and Illinois law, completing the necessary forms for you. There are no fees charged for obtaining a protection order, or for service of the order on the other party involved.
Turning Point advocates are available in the Courthouse on the third floor in Room 356. Turning Point provides legal advocacy to victims of domestic violence. All services are free and Spanish speaking advocates are available.
Steps For Obtaining A Protection Order - In Person
- Go to illinoisprotectionorder.org and follow the steps for completing your request. You will receive a Receipt Number which will allow you to save your petition and return to it as many times as necessary.
- Print your confirmation from the website, or make note of your Receipt Number, which will assist staff in locating your petition.
- Complete the following additional forms where applicable to bring with you to the Courthouse:
- LEADS Entry Guide [PDF] – Required to be completed for all protection orders, used to provide information to law enforcement if your protection order is granted.
- Certificate: Child Custody Proceeding [PDF] – Required by the Court to be completed if there are any children to be protected by the protection order
- Request for Notice to Schools and/or Daycare Facilities [PDF] – Required if you will be requesting that your children’s school and/or daycare facility be notified of the protection order
- Go to the McHenry County Courthouse, where Turning Point advocates are located on the third floor in Room 356 and may be able to assist you. With your Receipt Number advocates can access your petition and help you complete it. They can also assist you through the entire process of obtaining a protection order.
- If you do not need Turning Point’s assistance, once your petition is complete, go to the McHenry County Circuit Clerk in Room 353 on the third floor of the McHenry County Courthouse. You will be asked to sign your name on a signature pad and the petition will be filed, a case number assigned, and the information forwarded to a judge for review. If the judge approves your request, at that point you will be granted a protection order.
Remote Appearance Available to Obtain Emergency Protective Order
Remote appearances are available to obtain any type of emergency protective order. For Emergency Orders of Protection call Turning Point at (815) 334-4624 to receive assistance completing your petition. After your paperwork is complete, call the Circuit Clerk at (815) 334-4190 to arrange a time for a remote appearance before a judge. At your scheduled appearance time, use the Zoom court appearance link below.
- Link: https://zoom.us/my/orderofprotection
- Meeting ID: 474-340-0259
- Personal Link Name: orderofprotection
- Password: no password required
Steps For Obtaining A Protection Order - Remotely
- Go to illinoisprotectionorder.org and follow the steps for completing your petition for a protection order. You will receive a Receipt Number which will allow you to save your petition and return to it as many times as necessary.
- For Emergency Orders of Protection call Turning Point at (815) 334-4624 to receive assistance completing the paperwork.
- Call the Circuit Clerk at (815) 334-4190 to arrange a time for a remote appearance by Zoom to meet with the judge.
- At your scheduled appearance time, go to the Order of Protection Zoom courtroom to speak with a judge by clicking the link below:
- Link: https://zoom.us/my/orderofprotection
- Meeting ID: 474-340-0259
- Personal Link Name: orderofprotection
- Password: no password required
- If the judge approves your request, at that point you will be granted a protection order.