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Legal Information: Tennessee

Restraining Orders

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Laws current as of May 7, 2025

In which county can I file for a protection order?

If the abuser lives in Tennessee, you can file the petition in:

  • the county where the abuser lives; or
  • in the county in which the domestic abuse, stalking, sexual assault, sexual exploitation of a minor,  human trafficking offense, observation without consent, or unlawful photography took place.

If the abuser does not live in Tennessee, you can file the petition in the county where you live.1

1 Tenn. Code § 36-3-602(c)

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