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Protection Orders
Apply online now!
Click “Start Now” to begin.
Our online Protection Order filing system, LegalAtoms, will do the following:
- Help you determine what type of protection order is best for you.
- Ask questions about your situation.
- Formulate narrative declarations based on your responses.
- Generate court forms that comply with state and local court rules.
- Electronically file paperwork with the Clerk.
Don’t have access to the internet or a smartphone? We have public kiosks available at the courthouse for your convenience.
Washington State Hope Card Program
The Hope Card Program makes it easier for individuals with full/final civil protection orders to carry important details about their orders. The Hope Card Program offers wallet-sized, durable cards with the information law enforcement needs to verify a protection order if a violation occurs. Hope Cards are a simpler way to inform police, employers, schools, or landlords about your protection order and are free.
For information or to request a Hope Card, please visit the Washington Courts website here.
What is Domestic Violence?
Per RCW 26.50, "Domestic Violence" means: (a) Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault, between family or household members; (b) sexual assault of one family or household member by another; or (c) stalking as defined in RCW 9A.46.110 of one family or household member by another family or household member.
Who May Obtain The Order?
Any person who is a victim of domestic violence or fears violence by a "family or household member." Family or Household Members means spouses, domestic partners, former spouses, former domestic partners, persons who have a child in common, persons sixteen years of age or older who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past, persons sixteen years of age or older who have or have had a dating relationship, and persons who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship, including stepparents and stepchildren and grandparents and grandchildren.
What Can An Order Do?
Prohibit contact of any kind. Remove abuser from shared residence and prohibit from entering. Give temporary custody of children and set visitation schedule. Can be tailored to individual needs.
How Is An Order Obtained?
Can be obtained in Superior Court Clerk's Office. The judge will review the paperwork and grant or deny a temporary emergency order effective for up to 14 days. The other party is served with the petition, notice of hearing and temporary order. A hearing is scheduled within 2 weeks at which time the judge may deny or grant an order which could be entered as permanent. Forms provided by Clerk.
Victims of Domestic Violence are encouraged to contact the Emergency Support.
File online at Legalatoms. You must create an account in order to process your protection order online.
What Is The Cost?
There is no cost to the petitioner.
What Happens If The Order Is Knowingly Violated?
Mandatory arrest if abuser violates "restraint" provisions or enters a residence where prohibited from entering. Possible criminal or contempt charges.
What is Unlawful Harassment?
Per RCW 10.14.020 "Unlawful Harassment" means a knowing and willful course of conduct directed at a specific person which seriously alarms, annoys, harasses, or is detrimental to such person, and which serves no legitimate or lawful purpose. Personal harassment through repeated invasions of a person's privacy by acts and words showing a pattern of harassment designed to coerce, intimidate or humiliate the victim.
Who May Obtain The Order?
Parties over the age of 18 who have no relationship with the person harassing them and children are not involved, should apply for an anti-harassment order through District Court. If the parties are under age 18, or if there is a family law case existing between the parties, the application should be through Superior Court. If there are acts of domestic violence, please review the previous section titled Domestic Violence.
File online at Legalatoms. You must create an account in order to process your protection order online.
How Is An Order Obtained?
The party requesting the protection (petitioner) should go to the proper court and fill out a petition. After reviewing your petition, the court may grant or deny a temporary emergency order effective up to 14 days. The other party is served w/petition, notice of hearing and temporary order. A hearing is held within 14 days at which time the court may deny or grant an order effective for up to one year.
What Is The Cost?
Filing fee is $53 in Superior Court, but may be waived if you qualify for indigency.
What Happens If The Order Is Knowingly Violated?
Violator may be arrested. Possible criminal or contempt charges may be filed.
Who May Obtain The Order?
Per RCW 10.99.050, a person who has reported an incident to the police. Criminal charges must be pending or filed against the respondent; may be a condition of sentencing.
Who May Obtain The Order?
Per RCW 10.99.050, a person who has reported an incident to the police. Criminal charges must be pending or filed against the respondent; may be a condition of sentencing.
How Is An Order Obtained?
A crime must first be reported to the police. If the abuser has been arrested or issued a citation, the victim may ask the prosecutor to request a no contact order. (Arresting officers can get orders done immediately)
What is the Cost?
There is no cost to file.
What Happens If The Order Is Knowingly Violated?
Violator shall be arrested.
Who May Obtain The Order?
Married persons or persons w/a child in common who are filing for divorce, separation, custody or paternity. To qualify, a person does not need to be assaulted or threatened previously.
What Can An Order Do?
It can do all that a Protection Order does. May also order child support, order maintenance income, assign property to either party, and establish permanent custody or use of family home.
How Is An Order Obtained?
The order can be obtained in Superior Court as part of a Family Law Action such as divorce, separation, custody or paternity. A temporary restraining order can be filed at the filing of the civil petition and signed by the judge effective until heard in court. Many persons obtain attorneys to represent them through this process. The prosecutor or attorney general, when involved in paternity actions, may request a restraining order on behalf of the child.
What is the Cost?
Filing fee is $240.00 for case initiation. There is no additional fee for restraining order.
What Happens If The Order Is Knowingly Violated?
Violator may be arrested. Possible criminal or contempt charges.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES IN COWLITZ COUNTY | |
360-425-1176 | |
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES | |
360-274-4711 | |
360-577-3092 | |
360-673-2165 | |
360-423-1270 | |
360-577-3157 | |
360-225-8281 | |
LEGAL SYSTEM | |
360-577-3074 | |
360-577-3016 | |
360-577-3073 | |
360-577-2195 | |
360-577-3094 | |
360-577-3100 | |
360-577-3118 | |
360-577-3077 | |
360-577-3080 | |
360-577-3095 | |
360-577-3085 | |