Domestic Violence/Civil Protection Orders

Obtaining a Civil Protection Order

If you are in imminent danger or know someone in imminent danger from domestic violence, dial 9-1-1 immediately!

Who is eligible for a Civil Protection Order?

Civil Protection Orders

Washington State law allows a person (called the Petitioner) to file a civil case asking the court to grant an order to protect them from another person (called the Respondent) whose behavior is abusive, threatening, exploitative, or harassing. Washington State law on civil protection orders can be found here: RCW 7.105.

A single petition is used when filing for a protection order that includes the following types of requests:

domestic violence protection order,
anti-harassment protection order,
sexual assault protection order,
stalking,
and vulnerable adult protection order.

What is the process to obtain an order?

The paperwork to apply for a Protection Order can be obtained from the Washington State Courts website, the Clerk's Office or Hope Alliance. Once the paperwork is completed, the forms are submitted to the Clerk's office prior to seeing a judicial officer. An applicant may be seen at Superior Court's ex-parte times which are at 1:00 pm Monday - Thursday, and 1:30 pm on Fridays.
The Clerk's Office will check you in and arrange for you to meet with a judicial officer. If the judicial officer determines you meet the eligibility requirements, a temporary protection order will be entered. A court date will then be set for both parties to be present and, if eligible, a longer-term protection order may be entered.
Starting January 1, 2023 you can also submit your Petition for Protection Order and related documents electronically (only for cases being filed in Superior Court). To file electronically go to the following site: https://legalatoms.com/lewis/
You will need to create an account and then the site will help guide you through the process to create all of the necessary forms related to your Petition for Protection Order.
After creating the forms, you will submit them for filing by clicking the button at the bottom of the page.

What is the cost to obtain an order?

The petitioner is not responsible for any costs associated with getting the order, except that a filing fee may be required for certain Anti-Harassment Protection Orders.

What are the consequences if an order is knowingly violated?

If the police are made aware of a violation, the violator may subject to mandatory arrest. They will face possible criminal charges or contempt of court. If an assault or reckless endangerment occurs in the process of the violation, the violator is subject to a Class C Felony charge.

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