A 209A complaint may be filed in the Massachusetts court departments authorized by Chapter 209A. Many people begin in District Court or the Boston Municipal Court, depending on where they live and where the events occurred. Juvenile Court and Superior Court may also be involved in the situations covered by the statute.
Use official court forms. The Trial Court form packet generally includes instructions, the complaint, the affidavit, plaintiff confidential information, and defendant information. Do not email forms to a court unless the court has told you that email filing is accepted for your situation.
| Court department | Coverage | 209A note |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Municipal Court | Boston neighborhoods | BMC divisions may hear 209A matters. |
| District Court | Cities and towns across Massachusetts | Common filing location for many 209A cases. |
| Juvenile Court | Cases involving minors | May be required when both parties are under 17. |
| Superior Court | County-based sessions | May hear 209A matters where appropriate. |
Official links
- Restraining order / abuse prevention order court forms
- G.L. c. 209A complaint packet (application forms PDF)
- How to request an abuse prevention order
- Find District Court locations
📍 Find your specific court
We have a directory of every Massachusetts District Court and Boston Municipal Court that handles 209A hearings — with clerk phone numbers, addresses, parking, and what to expect on your hearing day.
Find your court →If you are unsure which court serves your city or town, use the Trial Court location pages or call the clerk's office. Court staff can often explain where forms are filed and what the local schedule is, but they cannot give legal advice about what you should write or whether your evidence is enough.
Before going to court, review the form packet and think about what information each form asks for. The complaint identifies the parties and the protection requested. The affidavit is where the plaintiff explains the events. Confidential information forms are handled differently from public-facing allegations, so follow the court's instructions carefully.
Bring identification if you have it, copies of relevant records, and enough time for security, paperwork, waiting, and the hearing itself. If you need an interpreter, accessibility help, or information about remote participation, contact the clerk's office as early as possible.