Guide to Injunctions and Domestic Protection Orders
What to Expect when Your Case Goes to Court
Remote Hearings and Motions

There are five different types of Injunctions. They differ according to your relationship with the individual you are filing against. It is important that you file the correct one, otherwise your Injunction can be denied by the Judge.

• Domestic Violence Injunction: This petition is used for individuals who are currently married, formerly married, related by blood or marriage, living with you now or has lived with you in the past (living as family), or have children in common.
• Stalking Injunction: This petition is used for repeated following, harassment or cyberstalking of one person by another.
• Repeat Violence Injunction: This petition is used when two incidents of violence have been committed against you or a member of your immediate family, one of which must have been within 6 month of filing this petition.
• Sexual Violence: This petition is for victims of sexual violence.  Sexual violence includes sexual battery, lewd or lascivious acts, luring or enticing a child, sexual performance by a child or any other forcible felony where a sexual act is committed.  You must have reported the sexual violence to a law enforcement agency and cooperate in the criminal proceeding.
• Dating Violence: This petition is for violence between individuals who have or have had a continuing and significant relationship of a romantic or intimate nature.  The relationship must have existed within the past six months.

If you are under the age of 18 your parent or guardian must file on your behalf. If you are filing against someone under the age of 18, you must provide the name of the minor you are filing against as well as the name of their parent or legal guardian.

You may file your Petition along with additional documents online by visiting the Florida Court’s E-filing Portal at eFile Court Documents or you can file them in person with the Clerk’s Office at 91 Eslinger Way, Sanford Florida 32773.

After the Petition has been filed, the Clerk’s Office will forward to a Judge for review. The Judge will decide, based on the information you have provided, to do one of the following:

• Issue an Order Setting Hearing without the issuance of a Temporary Injunction. At the hearing, the Judge will determine whether to issue an Order of Protection.
• Grant the Petition and sign a Temporary Injunction for Protection. All Temporary Injunction for Protection Orders are set for a hearing to hear from the parties before the Judge will issue a Permanent Injunction for Protection Order.
• Dismiss the Petition.

The Petitioner will be notified of the Court’s decision.

• If the Court grants the Petition (temporary or permanent) or sets the matter for a hearing, the Clerk will send copies to the Sheriff’s Office to be served on the respondent.

• If you have received a Final Injunction for Protection Order, you are eligible to request a HOPE CARD, through the HOPE CARD PROGRAM:
  • The Hope Card Program provides individuals with a digital or wallet-sized card that serves as a crucial tool that presents important information about final injunctions for protection against:
    • Domestic Violence
    • Stalking
    • Repeat Violence
    • Sexual Violence
    • Dating Violence
    • Abuse or exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult (Vulnerable Adult)
  • Having a Hope Card offers several significant benefits:
    • Immediate Verification
    • Enhanced Safety
    • Accessible Support
  • How to Obtain a Hope Card: If you have a final injunction for protection, obtaining a Hope Card is straightforward and free of charge. To receive a Hope Card, simply visit or contact your local Clerk’s Office in the county where your petition for protection was originally filed and request either a physical or electronic version. A Hope Card will then be issued by your Clerk of Court in three (3) business days.
  • To request a Hope Card from Seminole County Clerk of Court you may email injunctions@seminoleclerk.org, call 407-665-4300, or visit 91 Eslinger Way, Sanford, FL 32773. Be sure to specify if you would like a digital or wallet sized card.
  • Hope Cards are valid for two years after the issuance date of a final order or the expiration date of the injunction, whichever comes first.
  • For more information on the Hope Card Program, click here.

After an Injunction has been entered by the Judge, you may find it necessary to have other matters addressed by the Court. Below is a list of forms the Court has made available for your use as they may apply:

• Motion for Extension of Injunction
• Motion for Modification of Injunction
• Motion to Modify or Dissolve
• Notice of Related Cases
• Petition by Affidavit for Order to Show Cause for Violation of Final Judgement of Injunction
• Request for Confidential Filing of Address
• Supplemental Affidavit in Support of Petition for Injunction