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How to File for an Order of Protection in Pima County Using AZPOINT: A Step-by-Step Guide

Arizona now makes it easier than every to file for an order of protection. For Pima County residents, you can use AZPOINT to file your request. This is a statewide online portal which can let you prepare your petition before you go to court. It helps to streamline the process and reduce the time you spend at the courthouse.

At JNH Legal Services, PLLC, our legal paraprofessional can help. He can help you with AZPOINT and in filing your protection order request. Handling these cases in court alone can be confusing and scary, but you don’t have to face it alone.       

What AZPOINT Does (and Doesn’t Do)

AZPOINT is short for Arizona Protective Order Initiation & Notification Tool. It is an online system that helps you:

  • Create your petition for an Order of Protection
  • Answer required questions in a guided format
  • Save your progress for up to 90 days
  • Receive a confirmation code to take to court
  • Reduce the time you spend waiting at the courthouse

AZPOINT does not issue the order. You must still appear before a judge to have your petition reviewed.

Step 1: Gather Information Before You Begin

AZPOINT will ask for detailed information about the person you want protection from and about the incidents that led you to seek an order. Before you start, gather:

  • The defendant’s full name, address, and physical description
  • Dates and descriptions of incidents
  • Any police report numbers (if applicable)
  • Information about shared children
  • Details about firearms, threats, or prior protective orders

You do not need evidence to file, but having accurate information helps the court issue and serve the order more quickly.

Step 2: Create Your Petition in AZPOINT

Visit azpoint.azcourts.gov and create an account. The system will guide you through a series of questions about your situation. You can save your progress and return later if needed.

AZPOINT will ask about:

  • The relationship between you and the defendant
  • The type of protective order you need
  • Specific acts of domestic violence or harassment
  • Whether firearms were involved
  • Whether children need protection

Answer as accurately as possible. Your responses become part of your official petition.

When you finish, AZPOINT will generate a confirmation code. You must bring this code to court.

Step 3: Appear Before a Judge

After arriving at the courthouse, provide your AZPOINT confirmation code. Court staff will retrieve your petition and direct you to a judge.

The judge will:

  • Review your petition
  • Ask clarifying questions if needed
  • Decide whether to issue the Order of Protection

Most hearings are brief. If the judge grants the order, you will receive a signed copy before leaving.

Step 4: Service of the Order

An Order of Protection is not enforceable until it is served on the defendant. In Pima County, service is typically handled by:

  • Law enforcement
  • A process server
  • The sheriff’s civil division

You do not have to serve the defendant yourself. Once served, the order becomes active and enforceable statewide.

Step 5: After the Order Is Issued

Once served, the Order of Protection lasts one year. During that time:

  • The defendant must follow all restrictions
  • You may request changes or extensions
  • Violations should be reported to law enforcement immediately

If the defendant requests a hearing to challenge the order, the court will schedule a date. You must attend, but you do not lose protection automatically. Only a judge can modify or dismiss the order.

When to Consult an Arizona Legal Paraprofessional

A legal paraprofessional (LP) can help you analyze your case and determine the best path forward. Jason Halper, the founder of JNH Legal Services, PLLC, is a dedicated LP with years of experience helping clients find cost-effective and efficient solutions. He is an accomplished paraprofessional and author, writing “Licensed to Lead: A Comprehensive Guide to Emerging as a Legal Paraprofessional.”

A legal paraprofessional can help you file your request and seek the protection order throughout the court process.  

Person in white shirt and black tie holding black notebook with "PROTECTIVE ORDER" text.

Get Help Filing for an Order of Protection in Pima County

Jason Halper has years of experience as a legal paraprofessional. He helps clients seek the order of protection they need to feel safe.        

Consult an experienced legal paraprofessional at JNH Legal Services, PLLC to learn more about how we can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.