Georgia Petition for Temporary Protective Order (Form SC-26): Seeking Protection from Family Violence Under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3
October 2, 2026
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence in Gwinnett County, Georgia law provides a legal remedy: a Temporary Protective Order (TPO). The process begins with filing Form SC-26 — Petition for Temporary Protective Order, an official court form published by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA).
What Is Form SC-26?
Form SC-26 is the official petition used to request a Temporary Protective Order under Georgia’s Family Violence Act, codified at O.C.G.A. § 19-13-1 et seq. It is filed in the Superior Court of the county where the petitioner lives or where the abuse occurred — for Gwinnett County residents, that means filing at the Gwinnett County Superior Court.
The petition asks the court to issue an ex parte (immediate) protective order that can prohibit the respondent from contacting or approaching the petitioner, grant temporary custody of minor children, award temporary use of the family residence, and order other relief designed to stop acts of family violence.
Who Can File?
The Georgia Family Violence Act covers:
- Current or former spouses
- Parents of the same child
- Parents and children
- Stepparents and stepchildren
- Foster parents and foster children
- Persons who currently live or formerly lived in the same household
Why Does It Require Notarization?
O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 requires that a petition for a protective order be a “verified petition.” This means the petitioner must sign the petition under oath, swearing that the facts stated in the petition are true and correct.
The SC-26 form includes a separate Verification page (page 8 of the form) with the following language:
“Personally appeared [Petitioner], who being duly sworn states that she/he is the Petitioner in the above styled case and that the facts set forth in the foregoing Petition for Temporary Protective Order are true and correct.”
The Verification must be signed in the physical presence of a notary public, who then completes the notarial certificate:
“Sworn and subscribed before me this ____ day of ____________, 20___.”
The notary public confirms the petitioner’s identity, witnesses their signature, and administers the oath — ensuring that the petitioner understands they are swearing to the truth of the allegations under penalty of law. This notarization requirement exists because a TPO is a serious legal order that can restrict the respondent’s constitutional rights (such as firearm possession, freedom of movement, and parenting time). The sworn verification provides the court with a legal basis — probable cause — to issue emergency relief before a full hearing can be held.
How to Get the Form
The official SC-26 form is available from the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority. The Gwinnett County Superior Court (75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046) can also provide the form, and many local domestic violence advocacy organizations have trained advocates who can help petitioners complete it.
Emergency Assistance
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential support and help filing a TPO, contact the Georgia Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-33-HAVEN (1-800-334-2836) or the Gwinnett County Family Violence Program at 770-995-7233 (SAFE).
Download Form SC-26 from the GSCCCA
Need this document notarized? Find a trusted notary in your area on Notary of Gwinnett.