File for a Protection Order

Community organizations can help! If you’ve experienced domestic violence, harassment, stalking, or sexual assault, or the threat of any of these, get help from your local domestic violence shelter or sexual assault center. Shelters provide safety planning, temporary shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, and other services. 

Visit Washington State Domestic Violence Information & Referral to search for local programs by county, or for culturally/community specific or Tribal programs. 

You can call, text, or chat online with advocates 24/7 at any of these: 

• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233
• National Sexual Assault Hotline, 1-800-656-4673
• StrongHearts Native Helpline (a peer support service of the National DV Hotline), 1-844-762-8483

Decide if a protection order is right for you. Protection orders are effective for many people, but they’re not a good option for everyone. 

Decide where to file. You can file for a protection order in the Washington county where you live now, or where you used to live if you fled to avoid abuse, or the county with the court that’s closest to you. If you live on the edge of a county, you may be closer to the neighboring county courthouse. It’s okay to file there if that’s more convenient.

Some courts may offer their own online forms or ways to ask for a protection order online. Ask the court clerk for availability. 

Are you a Tribal Member or living in a Tribal Community or on a Reservation? You may have the choice of filing for a protection order in a State Court or a Tribal Court. Each Tribe's code and/or process may differ. Contact the appropriate Tribal Court to learn more. State Court forms may not work in Tribal Court. 

Decide if you’re going to put your home address in your court papers. The protection order is a public document that anyone can see. Listing your home address can help law enforcement enforce the order because there’s no question what address the other party must stay away from. But it also means your address is public knowledge, and it can cause confusion if you move. If you’re unsure, talk to an advocate. The restrained person can still be ordered to stay away from your home if your address is confidential.

Decide if you want or need immediate protection. You can ask for immediate protection. You must explain how you or someone else may be seriously harmed if you don’t get protection now, before the restrained person gets notice that you’re asking for a protection order. 

Gather any supporting evidence, such as written statements, printed photos, or documents that help prove what you’re saying is true. It’s helpful, but not required. If you can get it later, you can still file it before your hearing date. Try not to wait until the actual hearing to present evidence for the first time. 

Try to get access to a safe device for filling out the paperwork online, if you’re not going to fill out the forms by hand. That should be a computer or phone that the abuser cannot get to, even remotely (like a library computer). Techsafety.org has tips for staying safe online.

Be ready to explain in writing why you need a protection order. The judge doesn’t research police records or other cases to know your history. The judge will only know what happened if you put it in your written statement. If you don’t include a particular incident in your statement, you may not have a chance to tell the judge at the hearing.

“Judge” here refers to judges and court commissioners.

You might be able to get help filling out the forms. Ask the court clerk about local victim services organizations with advocates who can help with forms. 

Firearms alert! If you’re worried about firearms, you can ask the judge to order the restrained person to surrender weapons. You can ask for this when you first file for a protection order, or restraining order, or later if your protection or restraining order doesn't include a weapons order. If law enforcement returns the restrained person’s weapons, they must notify you before they do so. Give law enforcement your contact information so they can do this. Email is best.