Recently updated on October 12th, 2026 at 09:17 pm
File a Protection (Restraining) Order
Create Forms and File for a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (DV-CPO) in Ohio
This website is sponsored by courts to help you prepare and e-file legal forms for a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (DV-CPO) across Ohio. These are also called “Civil Protection Orders” and “Domestic Violence Protection Orders.”
The website leads you through friendly online questionnaires, with helpful tips directly from courts. Once you complete the questionnaires, you can download the latest official version of court documents (PDF) or e-file these with the court. You can also just explore your options, as your privacy is kept and your case is visible only to you until you file with the court.
Start
What is a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order?
In Ohio, restraining orders are called civil protection orders (CPOs), which require an abuser to stay away from and not contact their victim or else face criminal charges.
Process Overview
This website presents a list of questions, and then at the end generates the paperwork for your case.
HOW THIS WEBSITE WORKS
This website provides a guided experience to people who are working themselves on preparing the court forms for a Domestic Violence Civil Protection 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 Case Documents
Prepare the main set of your court documents by covering one topic at a time. Each topic is covered in simple and non-legal language. Your responses are then used to populate a fresh copy of the official court forms.
3. Consult Advocate (Optional)
Depending on your situation, we can suggest trusted free victim advocacy nonprofits. These are court departments or advocates who assist victims with documentation and safety planning.
4. E-File Civil Protection Order Documents
This website simplifies filing to a couple of clicks, and you get follow-up notifications from the court.
How to Get a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (DV-CPO)
How to get a restraining order, or more precisely, how to get a Civil Protection Order? Getting a civil protection order typically involves filing the case and attending a hearing, which can take anywhere from one day (emergency situations) to up to three weeks.
Step 1
You: Gather evidence. What do you need to get a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order?
Gather evidence to support your case, though your personal testimony alone is also evidence.
The following are considered evidence of domestic violence:
Evidence Type 1: Pending Criminal Case
Judges are also more likely to issue an order if there is an ongoing criminal case; therefore, it’s important to call such cases out when seeking a temporary (ex parte) protection order.
When a judge sees that there’s a criminal case happening, they might think it means the police or the prosecutor are pretty sure they can prove the crime happened.
Evidence Type 2: Photos of violence, injuries, damage
These are the most common types of evidence submitted. These can be photos of the victim’s injuries inflicted by the abuser. It is helpful to add photos next to the related incident description to help create a complete picture for the judge.
Evidence Type 3: Printouts of messages, emails or transcripts of voicemail
You can take screenshots of text messages and attach them. Similarly, you can print emails and attach them as pictures or PDF files.
Evidence Type 4: 911 Calls
Rather than just saying you called 911 or any specific hotline, you can make your case stronger by listing the following items:
- The number dialed in case of the domestic violence hotline
- The date and time (or approximate date and time) when the call was made
- Who made the call
- What was reported on the call
- Any specific details of the person who answered the 911 call, e.g. male/female voice
Evidence Type 5: Medical Records
You can attach documentation of previous medical emergencies or injuries that resulted from the actions of the abuser. These could be hospital visit records or printouts from your hospital portal (e.g. MyChart) showing details of your visit.
Evidence Type 6: Police reports
You can attach a copy of the police reports filed against the abuser for domestic violence.
Evidence Type 7: Testimony
A testimony from a witness. The witness can be anyone, such as a family member, a neighbor, a co-worker or a bystander. The testimony is just an essay describing the incidents witnessed, with as many specifics as possible.
Step 2
You: Take Online Screening
Determine if your situation is roughly suitable for applying for a domestic violence civil protection order by taking a screening. You can begin by entering your ZIP code in the Start box at the top of this page.
Step 3
You: Create Case Documents (“Packet”)
After the screening, this website will guide you through the rest of the steps to creating the case documents.
Just for your knowledge: In order to apply for a domestic violence civil protection order (DV-CPO), you need to fill out and submit a predefined set of official Ohio court forms. These have questions aimed at understanding your situation and the people involved.
The most important form is the petition, called the Petition for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order.
Step 4
You: E-file with the court. How to file a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order in Ohio
This website also allows you to digitally sign and e-file with the court.
There are other options, including court forms online, but these don’t allow you to officially file with the court.
To formally make your request to the court, you need to submit the documents to the clerk at the court. This step is called filing. There are two ways of doing this step, and both have the same effect:
- Online (called e-filing)
- In person
E-filing is convenient and you can do it anytime. The date of filing is the date you file, or the next day if you file after hours.
In Ohio, the case documents are filed with the court of common pleas in your county, in its domestic relations division where the county has one. If the respondent is under 18, the documents are filed with the juvenile division.
Once the filing is successful, a case number is assigned.
Step 5
Judge Issues a Temporary (Ex Parte) Protection Order
If you ask for an ex parte order, the court holds an ex parte hearing on the same day you file. Depending on the facts and evidence presented, a judge can issue a temporary protection order that day, called an ex parte order, which lasts until the full hearing.
If there are no grounds, or if the application is incomplete or the jurisdiction is incorrect, the request for an order may be denied. If you do not ask for an ex parte order, or the judge does not issue one, the court still schedules a full hearing.
The full hearing is scheduled within seven or ten court days after the ex parte hearing. If the hearing is postponed, for example because the abuser has not been served yet, the ex parte order does not expire.
Step 6
Law Enforcement: Delivers the Temporary Protection Order to the Abuser
This would be done in one of the following ways, after which you are legally protected, i.e. a violation will cause arrest or criminal charges for the abuser:
- Clerk would have the abuser served by law enforcement. You don’t need to do anything in this case.
- Clerk would give you a packet of the temporary order and other documents, and you will have it formally served on the abuser by another adult or a legal courier.
- In some cases, such as when the respondent’s address is unknown, a complete set of the temporary order and supporting documents, called the “911 packet,” is handed to you. This is handy, e.g. in case there is a confrontation with the abuser and the police get called: they can physically hand the 911 packet to the abuser.
Step 7
You, Abuser: Attend Court Hearing
Attend a hearing: The court holds a hearing within a couple of weeks where the evidence is examined. If there is sufficient supporting evidence as determined by a judge, a full civil protection order is issued. It is a crime for the abuser to break the conditions of the order.
If the abuser misses this hearing even though they were served the court order on time (about 1 week before the hearing), then you might get the court order automatically, i.e. without discussion and further evidence.
Step 8
You: Collect Final Order
After the hearing, a final order may be issued. You can take a paper copy of the order with you for your records, which can be crucial if you have to call the police for a future incident. In Ohio, a civil protection order can remain in effect for up to five years.
Legal Definition
Ohio Domestic Violence Civil Protection Orders Are in Ohio Revised Code § 3113.31
What are the requirements of a restraining order? That question is answered by the definition. It is important because a protection (restraining) order will be issued if the abuser’s behavior is shown to meet the definition.
As per Ohio Revised Code, R.C. § 3113.31
(A)(1) “Domestic violence” means any of the following:
(a) The occurrence of one or more of the following acts against a family or household member:
(i) Attempting to cause or recklessly causing bodily injury;
(ii) Placing another person by the threat of force in fear of imminent serious physical harm or committing a violation of section 2903.211 or 2911.211 of the Revised Code;
(iii) Committing any act with respect to a child that would result in the child being an abused child, as defined in section 2151.031 of the Revised Code;
(iv) Committing a sexually oriented offense.
(b) The occurrence of one or more of the acts identified in divisions (A)(1)(a)(i) to (iv) of this section against a person with whom the respondent is or was in a dating relationship.
(A)(3) “Family or household member” means any of the following:
(a) Any of the following who is residing with or has resided with the respondent:
(i) A spouse, a person living as a spouse, or a former spouse of the respondent;
(ii) A parent, a foster parent, or a child of the respondent, or another person related by consanguinity or affinity to the respondent;
(iii) A parent or a child of a spouse, person living as a spouse, or former spouse of the respondent, or another person related by consanguinity or affinity to a spouse, person living as a spouse, or former spouse of the respondent.
(b) The natural parent of any child of whom the respondent is the other natural parent or is the putative other natural parent.
(A)(4) “Person living as a spouse” means a person who is living or has lived with the respondent in a common law marital relationship, who otherwise is cohabiting with the respondent, or who otherwise has cohabited with the respondent within five years prior to the date of the alleged occurrence of the act in question.
WHO CAN START A CASE
This website provides a guided experience to people who are working themselves on preparing the court forms for a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order.
1. Victim
You can create the paperwork and file to start a case on your own behalf.
2. On behalf of a minor (under 18)
A parent or adult household member can petition on behalf of a minor who is a family or household member.
3. On behalf of a senior or disabled person
An adult household member can file on behalf of a senior or disabled person who is a family or household member.
WHAT PROTECTIONS CAN YOU ASK THE JUDGE FOR
Here are the typical restrictions placed on the abuser via the protection order.
Stay Away From You
Abuser would have to stay away from you, your children and locations you request, such as your work.
Not to contact you
Not to contact you via phone or text or mutual friends.
Not stalk you
Not stalk you or your loved ones, including your accounts on Facebook or other social media.
Hand over a car
Get access to cars held by the abuser.
Vacate the shared residence
The respondent can be asked to vacate the shared residence. You can also request help from police to kick them out.
Hand over Passport, Cell phone, Medications etc.
You can ask for your personal items such as passport, medications, clothes. This would be applicable if you were living together up to now.
Get Counseling
You can request that the abuser be required to seek counseling.
FAQs
How do protection (restraining) orders work?
After a court issues you a protection order, and the abuser is informed about it, then if the abuser violates it you can call 911 and law enforcement will arrest and/or charge the abuser.
How long does it take to get a protection order?
You can get a temporary (ex parte) protection order the same day as you file in case of an emergency, as long as you apply on a business day and typically by noon. Other cases are decided at the full hearing, which is usually held within seven to ten court days.
What’s the immediate benefit to the victim?
As a legal warning, protection orders force the abuser to stay away from the victim and comply with other conditions, or else they will be charged with a crime and face prison time. Furthermore, by taking guns away from the abuser, they can reduce the risk of fatality for the victim.
How much does it cost?
It’s free.
How long does a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order last in Ohio?
A Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order can last up to five years. It can be renewed as well.
Can a protection order get the abuser fired from their job?
Yes, it is possible, but it depends on the order type and job.
Do I need a lawyer to get a DV-CPO?
No, a lawyer is not required. However, having a lawyer in any legal situation can benefit you.
When should I get a protection (restraining) order vs. file a criminal charge?
If criminal charges are filed, a protection (restraining) order is also filed, as it provides protection for a set time frame just in case the criminal charges are dropped. The bar for protection orders is lower than for criminal charges, and they can address more subtle behaviors, so in such situations they are the only option.
Do Protection Orders Help?
Here are the outcomes of research on domestic violence from the University of New Hampshire.
1. Reduce Violence
Domestic violence protection (restraining) orders and restraining orders in general are effective in reducing violence and harassment. For half the women in the sample studied, a protective (restraining) order stopped the violence. For the other half, the orders significantly reduced violence and abuse.
2. Cost Effective
Domestic violence protection (restraining) orders are free for the victims. They are a relatively low-cost solution for the government, 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 (countryside) 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 enforcing civil protective orders exist for women in rural areas.
RISKS
The abuser may react to your filing for a protection order.
Anger
The abuser, particularly in domestic violence situations, may react with anger due to the perceived loss of control over you and your household.
Murder or Physical Harm
A particular risk is that if the respondent has access to guns or other firearms, they might actually kill you. Here’s an example from 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Harming or taking away children
Fearing restrictions on custody or visitation, the abuser may preemptively take the children away or just call Child Protective Services against you.
Damaging jointly owned property
The respondent may drain bank accounts, max out credit cards, damage cars or houses, or do other damage to jointly owned property.
Weaponize Immigration Status or Health Insurance
The abuser may report your or your loved ones’ undocumented immigration status to U.S. authorities, or cancel health insurance.
Spreading false information about you
The abuser may spread false information, particularly on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or other social media.
Calculating the Risk Level
The Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) is a questionnaire used by law enforcement and other professionals, often in the context of domestic violence situations, to assess the risk of murder in cases involving intimate partner violence.
The questionnaire has about 20 questions designed to evaluate the severity and potential danger of a situation. These questions may cover aspects such as the presence of weapons, history of violence, threats of harm, and other factors that could indicate an increased risk of lethal violence.
- Has the physical violence increased in severity or frequency over the past year?
- Does the abuser own a gun? Or has he ever used a weapon against you or threatened you with a lethal weapon, particularly a gun?
- Have you ever lived together? And if yes, have you left the abuser after living together during the past year?
- Is he unemployed?
- Has the abuser threatened to kill you? Do you believe he is capable of killing you?
- Does he threaten to harm your children?
- Does he ever try to choke/strangle you or cut off your breathing? If yes, has he done it more than once, or did it make you pass out or black out or make you dizzy?
- Has he avoided being arrested for domestic violence?
- Do you have a child that is not his?
- Has he ever forced you to have sex when you did not wish to do so?
- Does he use illegal drugs? By drugs, I mean “uppers” or amphetamines, “meth”, speed, angel dust, cocaine, “crack”, street drugs or mixtures. Is he an alcoholic or problem drinker?
- Does he control most or all of your daily activities? For instance, does he tell you who you can be friends with, when you can see your family, how much money you can use, or when you can take the car? In reference to the previous question, do you let him control most or all of your activities?
- Is he violently and constantly jealous of you? (For instance, does he say: “If I can’t have you, no one can.”)
- Have you ever been pregnant by him? Have you ever been beaten by him while you were pregnant?
- Has he ever threatened or tried to commit suicide?
- Have you ever threatened or tried to commit suicide?
- Does he follow or spy on you, leave threatening notes or messages, destroy your property, or call you when you don’t want him to?
Court Forms Created
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 Supreme Court of Ohio.
Core Forms
- CPO Form 4: Petition for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order
- CPO Form 6: Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order Ex Parte
- CPO Form 8: Consent Agreement and Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order
- CPO Form 5: Information for Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (if needed)
- Attachments for additional protected persons (if needed)
- CPO Form 29: Wireless Service Transfer Order in Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (if requested)
TYPES OF PROTECTION (RESTRAINING) ORDERS IN OHIO
Civil Protection Order
An Ohio Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (DVCPO), under Ohio Revised Code § 3113.31, protects individuals from abuse, threats, or violence by family or household members such as spouses, former spouses, cohabitants, relatives, or those with whom the petitioner shares a child. It may include no-contact provisions, removal from shared residence, temporary custody or support orders, and can remain in effect for up to five years, even without a criminal conviction.
Dating Violence Civil Protection Order
An Ohio Dating Violence Civil Protection Order (DTCPO), under Ohio Revised Code § 3113.31(A)(8), protects individuals from abuse or threats by a current or recent intimate dating partner. The relationship must have existed within the past 12 months. The order can include no-contact provisions, removal from shared housing, and may last up to five years, even without criminal charges.
Stalking or Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order
An Ohio Stalking or Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order (SSOOPO), established under Ohio Revised Code § 2903.214, protects individuals from menacing by stalking or sexually oriented offenses committed by someone who is not a family or household member. It can be requested without a criminal charge and may include no-contact provisions, stay-away orders, and restrictions on firearms. The order can remain in effect for up to five years and is available to both adults and minors.
Juvenile Civil Protection Orders
An Ohio Juvenile Civil Protection Order (JCPO), under Ohio Revised Code § 2151.34, protects minors from violence, stalking, or sexually oriented offenses committed by another minor. It can include no-contact provisions, school or residence restrictions, and may stay in effect until the respondent turns 19 or for up to five years.
Criminal Protection Orders
Ohio criminal protection orders are issued during a pending criminal case to protect victims from threats, harassment, or harm. There are two main types: the Domestic Violence Temporary Protection Order (DVTPO) under Ohio Revised Code § 2919.26, used in domestic violence cases involving family or household members; and the Criminal Protection Order (CRPO) under § 2903.213, used in cases like assault, stalking, or sexually oriented offenses when the parties are not related. These orders prohibit contact and remain in effect until the criminal case is resolved.