What to gather before you file
A printable from Restraining Order and Immigration. Fill it in by hand. Nothing you write is collected by this website.
What to gather before you file
About the other person
- Full name and any other names they use
- Date of birth, or best guess of age
- Home address, work address, or places they can be found for service
- Description: height, weight, hair, eyes, car and license plate
- Whether they have guns
About what happened (copies only, keep the originals safe)
- The most recent abuse: date, place, what was said and done
- The worst abuse, and other times it happened
- Texts, emails, voicemails, social media messages, photos of injuries or damage
- Police reports, medical records, any criminal protective order
- Names of people who saw or heard the abuse
- Any threats about immigration, written down with the date and exact words
If you have children together
- Children's names and birth dates
- What custody and visits you want
- Proof of income for the last two months, if you want support
Before you file
- I talked with an advocate about my safety plan for the day of service
- I have a safe address or way for the court to reach me
- I know my nearest self help center
- I asked a lawyer or accredited representative about anything I plan to write about my immigration status
Keep this list somewhere safe, or keep it only in your memory.
From Restraining Order and Immigration. Facts checked October 21, 2026. Free information, not legal or medical advice.