Go to Court Administration
Begin on the first floor of One Montgomery Plaza, 425 Swede Street, Norristown. The county lists PFA intake hours as Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–noon. Check the county website for closures or changes.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Protection From Abuse.
A place to start.
Practical information about requesting a PFA order and finding local support.
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If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
For help after court hours, call the county’s listed domestic violence hotline: 1-800-773-2424.
Montgomery County official emergency and PFA information ↗What is a PFA?
A Protection From Abuse order is a civil court order that can provide protection from qualifying abuse involving family or intimate relationships. The judge determines whether an order is appropriate and what relief to grant.
If the relationship does not qualify, a Sexual Violence Protection order or Protection From Intimidation order may be relevant. An advocate or attorney can explain which process may fit.
Pennsylvania protection-order information ↗HOW TO BEGIN
Filing in Montgomery County
Complete the petition
You may start online, but the county requires an in-person appearance to finish. If you begin online, go to Court Administration within four days to collect the packet. An online packet alone does not create a PFA.
Speak with the court
The court considers a temporary order and schedules a final hearing. Bring your original packet and any police report or emergency order you have; neither of those additional documents is required to start. You may bring a support person.
Follow the court’s directions
Confirm the final hearing date and how service will be handled with court staff or an advocate. For PFA filing questions, call 610-278-1191. Do not use this website’s insurance form for a PFA or urgent help.
Sources: county PFA page and county filing guide. General information, not legal advice. Confirm current procedures before traveling.
THE HISTORY OF PFA PROTECTION
How the framework developed.
A civil protection law
Pennsylvania enacted its Protection From Abuse Act, creating a civil route to seek protection from domestic abuse alongside the criminal legal system.
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights historical report ↗A statewide registry mandate
Act 85 amended Pennsylvania’s PFA law and required a statewide protection-order registry operated by the Pennsylvania State Police.
Pennsylvania Protection From Abuse Database history ↗Changes to firearm relinquishment
Act 79 changed Pennsylvania’s firearms and PFA laws. Consult the State Police guidance for the current requirements that apply to a specific order.
Pennsylvania State Police · Act 79 ↗This page explains statewide legal history and Montgomery County’s local filing process. Information reviewed September 9, 2026. Beyond the Insurance is not a court, law firm, or crisis-response service.