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Please Be Advised: All persons entering the Courthouse must do so through the new building entrance on Monroe Street.

Protection From Abuse (PFA)

A PFA is a civil order of the Court available to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. It prohibits the offender from abusing, stalking, harassing, threatening or attempting to use physical force that would reasonably cause bodily injury to the victim.


Filing of petitions for temporary PFA

Monday - Friday, 8:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. *** 
(excluding all major holidays and any day the Courthouse is closed) 

Monroe County Courthouse 
Monroe County Prothonotary 
610 Monroe Street, Suite 323 
Stroudsburg, PA 18360

Tel:(570) 517-3370

Additional Sources of Information  

Women's Resources of Monroe County, Inc. 
P.O. Box 645 
Delaware Water Gap, PA 18327

Tel: (570) 421-4200

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR)
PCAR Locations  
Support Services & Resources:

Tel: (800) 799-7233

Monroe County Victim/Witness Program
Office of the District Attorney 
701 Main Street, Suite 200 
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 18360

Tel: (570) 517-3052

How and Where Do I File for a PFA Order?

Appear in person to file a petition for relief (see the videos in English or en Español, both of which are located on this webpage)

Monday - Friday,  8:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. *** 
(excluding all  major holidays and any day the Courthouse is closed)

Monroe County Courthouse 
Monroe County Prothonotary 
610 Monroe Street, Suite 323 
Stroudsburg, PA 18360      

Tel: (570) 517-3370   

***To file a petition outside of the hours listed above, contact your local police department for referral to the Court-designated Duty Magisterial District Judge.  An Emergency PFA may be issued by the Court-designated Duty Magisterial District Judge. 

When issued, the Emergency PFA is valid until the end of the next business day or until the end of business the next day that the Court of Common Pleas is available.

How Long Does a PFA Order Last?

  •  An Emergency PFA Order is effective from the time of issuance until the end of business the next day the court of common pleas is available. 
  •  A Temporary PFA Order is effective for 7-10 days.
  • The Final PFA Order can be in effect for up to 3 years.

Additional information and forms (in English and en Español), are also available through the Pennsylvania Courts Website - For the Public

Under ”For the Public”, scroll to “Civil Protection Orders” OR “Órdenes de Protección Civiles”.  Applicable forms are found under each of these headings.

Videos