1. Determine which protection order is right for you. Visit our Protection Order one pager for guidance.
2. Complete your forms. See tool section below help with completing forms and filing.
3. File your forms. While you can file forms in person with your local county court, some counties allow for online filing. Learn more about your county’s rules here.
4. Protection Order service. Law enforcement will serve the respondent a protection order packet. Electronic service is valid statewide. If not done correctly, here are actions you can take. Help them feel control with info in this section.
5. Go to “Ex Parte” hearing for temporary orders. Once you have filed your forms, you will go to an initial hearing for a temporary protection order (TPO). These are held either online or in person. After a temporary protection order is either granted or denied, a follow up hearing will be scheduled, usually within 14 days. In some cases, the judicial officer may deny the petition without scheduling another hearing. If this happens, the court allows two weeks for an amended petition to be filed under the same case number. If you do not refile within the two week window, you will have to refile a new case.
6. Paperwork processing. During this step, the court will process the paperwork. Additionally, the clerk will send out a service packet to the law enforcement agency identified on the temporary protection order or notice of hearing. The respondent will be served the protection order packet.
7. Attend hearing(s) and provide testimony. It’s important to be prepared for testimony, both emotionally and physically. You may need to attend multiple hearings, and the respondent may be present in the courtroom. Remote hearings are available in many jurisdictions, and courts are required to grant a request for a remote appearance unless the court finds good cause to require in-person attendance or attendance through a specific means (RCW 7.105.205 section (2)) Talk to a lawyer or advocate for more information. Additionally, the court may appoint an attorney to represent the petitioner if the respondent retains counsel. See below for hearing preparation tips.
8. Judicial officer ruling. After considering all evidence and testimony, the full protection order will be granted or denied. Before issuing a ruling, the court must have proof that the respondent was served.
