Finding Legal Help
You are not required to hire an attorney, but legal matters can be complicated. Consider talking to an attorney to go over your options. See the Finding Legal Help page for information about free and low cost ways to get legal help.
Como encontrar ayuda legal
Usted no está obligado a contratar un abogado, pero los asuntos legales pueden ser complicados. Considere la posibilidad de hablar con un abogado para hablar de sus opciones. Para información sobre cómo obtener ayuda legal vea nuestra página Como encontrar ayuda legal.
Filing Documents by Email
You can email documents for filing if you represent yourself. "Filing" means to give your documents to the court. Email filing is available due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The instructions for filing depend on your circumstances. This page has instructions for email filing only. General information about filing is available on our Filing Procedures page. If you have questions about completing forms or what you need to file, review our self-help resources for more information and guidance.
Email is not secure. If you choose to send private information (such as dates of birth, account numbers or contact information) to the court via email, we cannot guarantee that your information will be safe as it travels from your email service to the court. If you are concerned about sending private information via email you may contact the court and request an encrypted email service, or you can send your documents via US mail or by filing them in-person.
Filing a Protective Order or Stalking Injunction by Email
You might be able to get help applying for a protective order
If you want to ask the court for a protective order and…
Then…
If you want to ask the court for a protective order and…
you live in Salt Lake County.
Then…
contact Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake to see if you qualify for free representation.
If you want to ask the court for a protective order and…
you live outside Salt Lake County.
Then…
contact Utah Legal Services to see if you qualify for free legal representation.
Call 800-662-4545
Monday through Friday
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
or
contact Timpanogos Legal Center for help with preparing your documents.
Call their Hotline 801-649-8895
Monday through Friday
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
After hours leave a message
If you have been served with a protective order or stalking injunction
These web pages provide information about protective orders and stalking injunctions:
- Child Protective Order
- Cohabitant Protective Order
- Dating Violence Protective Order
- Sexual Violence Protective Order
- Civil Stalking Injunction
See the Finding Legal Help web page for information about free and low cost ways to get the help of an attorney.
When you file a request for a protective order or stalking injunction by email your email address will not be shared with the other party. The court will use your email to contact you with questions about your filing and to notify you when the protective order is signed. A signed copy of the protective order will be sent to you by email.
Your email must include the following:
- A subject line that says "Protective Order or Stalking Injunction Filing for ____ (your name)"
- Your contact information in your email, including the best way to contact you such as your phone number and email address). The court will not share this with the other party, but might use it to contact you if there are questions about your filing
- Attached documents:
- Request for Protective Order or Petition for Protective Order or Request for Civil Stalking Injunction
-
You can prepare a request for a protective order or stalking injunction by working with your local victim advocate, using OCAP or with self-help forms available on our website
- Service Assistance Form
- Any supporting documents (police reports, text messages, etc.)
Make sure your documents are:
- Filled out completely
- Type your name in the signature line, swearing the information in your petition or request is true
- Filled out clearly so court staff can read them, if you are filling out the forms by hand, please use a pen and not pencil so the court can read your papers
- Filled out in English
- If you speak another language and need help, contact the Self-Help Center
- Scanned in PDF format clearly so the entire page can be read
- If you are using a smartphone, you can use an app that will let you take pictures with your phone of each page of your documents and convert them to PDFs
- If you have problems making a PDF review these tips on how to scan documents from your phone or tablet or contact your local court.
Email addresses for filing a protective order or stalking injunction
If you need help, contact:
- The court where you are filing for your protective order
- Your local victim advocates
- The Self-Help Center
More information on filing for protection from abuse is available on our Protection from Abuse page.
Filing a New Case by Email
Follow these guidelines when emailing documents to begin the process of opening a new case.
Your email must include the following:
- A subject line that says "New filing for ____ (your name)"
- Your contact information in your email, including the best way to contact you, such as your phone number or email address.
- Attached case initiating documents. Usually this is just a complaint or petition and a civil coversheet, but could include other documents, depending on your case type.
- Please submit only black and white documents
There may be a filing fee to open a new case. If you must pay a fee the court will contact you with instructions on how to pay. If you do not pay your case could be dismissed. If you cannot afford the fee you can request a fee waiver.
Make sure your documents are:
- Filled out completely
- Type your name in the signature line, swearing the information in your form is true
- Filled out clearly so court staff can read them, if you are filling out the forms by hand, please use a pen and not pencil so the court can read your papers
- Filled out in English
- If you speak another language and need help, contact the Self-Help Center
- Scanned in PDF format clearly so the entire page can be read
- If you are using a smartphone, you can use an app that will let you take pictures with your phone of each page of your documents and convert them to PDFs. Please be sure to include every page of your document
- If you have problems making a PDF review these tips on how to scan documents from your phone or tablet or contact your local court.
Remember to serve other parties in the case copies of all documents you send to the court.
Email addresses for filing a new case in district and juvenile court
If you need help, contact:
- The court where you are filing your forms
- The Utah State Law Library
- The Self-Help Center
Filing in an Existing Case by Email
Follow these guidelines when emailing documents to be filed in your existing case.
Your email must include the following:
- A subject line that says "Filing in case # (include your case number)"
- If you do not know your case number contact your court or the Web Navigator. The Navigator is Out
- Your contact information in your email - including the best way to contact you (phone number, email address.)
- Attached documents you want to file
- Please submit only black and white documents
Make sure your documents are:
- Filled out completely
- Type your name in the signature line, swearing the information in your form is true
- Filled out clearly so court staff can read them, if you are filling out the forms by hand, please use a pen and not pencil so the court can read your papers
- Filled out in English
- If you speak another language and need help, contact the Self-Help Center
- Scanned in PDF format clearly (as individual PDF documents) so the entire page can be read
- If you are using a smartphone, you can use an app that will let you take pictures with your phone of each page of your documents and convert them to PDFs. Please be sure to include every page of your document
- If you have problems making a PDF review these tips on how to scan documents from your phone or tablet or contact your local court.
Remember to serve other parties in the case copies of all documents you send to the court.
Email addresses for filing in an existing case in district and juvenile court
If you need help, contact:
- The court where you are filing your forms
- The Utah State Law Library
- The Self-Help Center
The Utah State Courts mission is to provide the people an open, fair, efficient, and independent system for the advancement of justice under the law.