Protection Orders
As a victim of domestic violence, you have the right to file a petition requesting a Domestic Violence Protection Order. An arrest, police report, or criminal charge are not necessary to request a Domestic Violence Protection Order. A Protection Order is different from a No-Contact Order.
A Domestic Violence Protection Order Can:
- Prohibit the respondent (the abusive person) from harassing and/or contacting the petitioner (the person seeking protection). The respondent may be ordered to have no contact with the petitioner, including in person, by mail, by telephone, or through third parties.
- Exclude the respondent from the petitioner's residence (even if shared), school, business, or place of employment, or from coming to the school or daycare of minor children.
- Restrain the respondent from cyberstalking or keeping someone under physical or electronic surveillance.
- Award temporary custody of minor children to one parent, establish temporary visitation, and restrain one parent from interfering with custody.
- Order the respondent to participate in treatment or counseling.
- Prohibit the respondent from removing the children from the state.
- Restrain the respondent from committing further acts of abuse.
Who Can Be Protected:
- Spouse or former spouse.
- Persons having a child in common.
- Adult persons related by blood or marriage.
- Adult persons who currently reside together or formerly resided together.
- Persons 13 years old and older who have a dating relationship or have had a dating relationship with someone 16 years old or older. (Note: those under 16 years old must seek relief by parent or guardian.)
- Persons who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship.
Please note: A Domestic Violence Protection Order is not considered enforceable until it has been personally served on (given to) the respondent.
A Domestic Violence Protection Order Cannot:
- Order child support.
- Order maintenance income.
- Establish permanent child custody or "ownership" of a family home.
- Guarantee your safety. An Order for Protection works best if it is part of a comprehensive personal safety plan.
Process for Filing:
The forms necessary to obtain a Domestic Violence Protection Order are available in most Municipal, District, or Superior Courts (addresses below). They are also available online at:
www.protectionorder.org or www.kingcounty.gov/Prosecutor/protectionorders.aspx.
* A Protection Order Advocate can help you file a Temporary Order for Protection, which can be done online at any time. It will be reviewed by an advocate or a judge during business hours.
* A Temporary Order is in place for 14 days, at which time the court holds a "full order hearing."
* The respondent (the abusive person) may respond to your allegations by appearing at the full order hearing.
* At this hearing, the court hears from the petitioner and the respondent, and decides whether to extend the order for a year, or longer in some cases.
* A petitioner must attend the full order hearing to continue the Domestic Violence Protection Order beyond the initial 14-day temporary period.
King County Courthouse
Room C213 • 516 Third Avenue • Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 477-1103
King County Maleng Regional Justice Center
Room 2B • 401 Fourth Ave N • Kent, WA 98032
(206) 205-7406
SAVIN Protective Order Notification Service
A free, 24-hour service for accessing information on your protection order and registering to be notified when your order has been served. (877) 242-4055 or www.registervpo.com