Recently updated on April 9th, 2024 at 12:19 am
Create Forms and File for Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) in WA
This website provides a complete experience to victims of domestic violence in preparing and e-filing legal forms to petition for a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) with the District and the Superior Courts in Washington state. This website is sponsored by courts in Washington and there is no charge for this service.
A DVPO is a type of a protection order that makes it a crime if the conditions of the order are broken.
The website leads you through a series of questions in plain language, with helpful explanations from lawyers and court officials. Once you complete the questionnaires, you can download your documents as WORD and PDF files.
The case is sent to the court only when you file the forms. So stepping through the questionnaires without filing is also helpful if you're just learning about the process and your options.
Process Overview
This website presents a list of questions, and then at the end generates the paperwork for DVPO.
This website provides a guided experience to people who are working themselves on preparing the court forms for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order.
1. Take Screening
Select the specific protection order you want to file for. Then answer a few questions to determine your eligibility.
2. Prepare Documents
Prepare the main set of your court documents by covering one topic at a time. Each topic offers questions in simple and non-legal language. Just do your best and in case you need help you can get reach out for help just with a few clicks.
3. Consult Advocate (Optional)
Depending on your situation, we can suggest any trusted free victim advocacy non profits. The advocate can assist you with certain aspects of the case and safety planning. They can review your case documents, and talk to you directly to discuss your case.
4. Submit to Court
Submit the paperwork to begin the legal process. You can do online depending on your local court or by printing and visiting the court in person.
The Protection Order such can require any number of the following items from your abuser:
- To not contact you and stay away from you (including move out)
- Not have access to a gun
- In case you share children, then follow child custody and visitation orders, pay child support,
- In case you were married or a formal domestic union, then pay spousal support
- Help in acquiring your common household items such as
- Passport or other IDs
- Cell phone
- Pets
A protection order cannot:
- End your marriage or domestic partnership. It is not a divorce.
- Establish parentage (paternity) of your children with the restrained person (if you are not married to, or in a domestic partnership with, him or her)
Under the Washington State law, its a crime of misdemeanor for a person to violate the terms or conditions of a court-issued restraining order, protective order, or stay-away order. This offense is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of up to one year in jail.
But a second-offense violation of a restraining order, or a violation that involves an act of violence, can be charged as a felony and punished by up to 3 years in jail or prison.
Domestic Violence Protection Order is always free.
No, a lawyer is not required. However, having a lawyer in any legal situation can benefit you.
You can get a temporary protection order the same day as you file in case of an emergency. The specific cut off time varies from court to court. For example, the cut off time for Snohomish County Superior Court is 10:30 a.m. Many courts can close as early as 12:30 p.m. so you need to definitely file before then. Otherwise, the order would be issued the following day when courts open.
Courts are generally open Monday-Friday and closed on Saturday-Sunday.
The temporary order is valid until a formal hearing is held in which both parties need to be present. Typically a hearing is scheduled within 3 weeks of filing.
At the hearing a formal order may be issued.
A DVPO is typically issued for one year, though it can be requested for a different period.
Thousands of Washingtonians file for a DVPO every year
Enter your zip code in the top right area, and hit "Start"
Answer all questions on LegalAtoms.
With a single click you can generate the correct set of official court forms
Submit your documents to the office of the clerk
The clerk forwards your documents to the Judge (or commissioner) who decides whether to
- Issue a Temporary Order until a hearing is set
- Ask for for more information
- Reject your case
Judicial officer signs an order granting a Temporary Order. If the request is dismissed then the process ends there.
The respondent is informed about the case, ,and the need to attend the hearing. The court is responsible for this step, which asks the law enforcement agency to serve the respondent.
A formal hearing is held where the judge reviews all the evidence and determines to issue a full order or not. If the order is issued it lasts for about a year
Washington Courts
Official website of the Washington Courts which provides court forms and instructions.
Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs
WCSAP unites agencies engaged in eliminating sexual violence and provides information and training to members
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
WSCADV is a resource for programs that assist domestic violence survivors and their families
Victim Information and Notification Everyday
The VINE system is a free service that allows petitioners to register for notification when a protective order of any type that has been served or is about to expire.
Do Protection Orders Help?
Here the outcome of a research on domestic violence from University of New Hampshire
1. Reduce Violence
Civil protective orders (such as a Domestic Violence Protection Order, an Anti-harassment Protection Order, a Sexual Assault Protection Order) are effective in reducing violence and harassment. For example, for half the women in the sample studied, a protective order stopped the violence. For the other half, the orders significantly reduced violence and abuse.
2. Cost Effective
They are a relatively low-cost solution, particularly when compared with the social and personal costs of partner violence.
3. Cities vs. Countryside
The impact of civil protective orders on reducing violence and abuse did not differ for rural (country side) and urban (cities) women. In rural areas, where resources and services for partner violence may be more limited, it is critical to reduce barriers to obtaining protective orders as research indicates they may be an effective resource. Community-level barriers to enforce civil protective orders exist for women in rural areas.
When you pass the screening and complete the questionnaires, you can then download the following standard court forms filled correctly with your information. These court forms are provided by the Washington Courts.
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PO 001 Petition for Protection Order
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PO 003 Law Enforcement and Confidential Information Form
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PO 030 Temporary Protection Order and Hearing Notice
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PO 004 Proof of Service
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WS 001 Order to Surrender and Prohibit Weapons Without Notice
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PO 036 Order Transferring Case and Setting Hearing
