Process Overview
This website presents a list of questions, and then at the end generates the paperwork for the Antiharassment Protection (Restraining) Order (AHPO)
HOW THIS WEBSITE WORKS
This website provides a guided experience to people who are working themselves on preparing the court forms for a Antiharassment Protection Order (AHPO).
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 for Restraining Order
Prepare the main set of your court documents by covering one topic at a time presented in simple language, and from any device. Then digitally sign without the need to print or re-scan the documents.
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 File for Restraining Order Online
This website simplifies the filing with your local court across Washington state to a couple of clicks, and get follow up messages notifications from the court. You also have the option to download and print the PDF files and file in person with the court.
How to get a restraining order? How to apply for a restraining order? How to Obtain a Restraining Order?
How to get a restraining order ? How to apply for a restraining order? Or more precisely how to get an Anti-harassment Protection Order (AHPO) in Washington? Getting an AHPO (restraining 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 (proof of harassment) to get a restraining order
Gather evidence to support your case though your personal testimony alone is also evidence.
The fallowing are considered as evidence of harassment
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 restraining order.
When a judge sees that there’s a criminal case happening, they might think it means the police or the district attorney 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 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: Print outs 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. While in most cases you cannot submit digital files such as
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 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 answer 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, print outs 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 abuser for harassment.
Evidence Type 7: Testimony
A testimony from a witness. The witness can be anyone such as a family member, neighbor a co-worker or a bystander. The testimony is just an essay written 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 an Antiharassment Protection (Restraining) Order by taking a screening. You can being by entering your zip code in the top right corner.
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 file for a Antiharassment Protection Order (AHPO), you need to fill and submit a standardized set of official Washington court forms. These have questions aimed at understanding your situation and the people involved.
Example: The form which gathers the main information is PO 001 Petition for Protection Order.
Step 4
You: File the restraining order online with the court
To formally request the court, you need to submit the documents with the clerk at the court. This step is called filing, and there are two ways of doing this step, and both have the same effect:
- Online (Called E-file)
- In person
This website offers both filing options.
You can digitally sign and e-file with the court. E-filing is convenient and you can do it anytime. The date of filing is the when you file, or the next day if you file after hours. The restraining order case documents is filed at your county's Superior Courts. Example: Snohomish County Superior Court or King County Superior Court
You can also download the PDF files and then walk in to the court and submit in person
Once the filling is successful a case number is assigned.
Step 5
Judge Issues a Temporary Restraining Order
Depending on the facts and evidence presented, a Judge can issue a Anti Harassment Protection (restraining) Order the same day until the hearing, called an Emergency Temporary Order.
In relatively less risky situations, a temporary order is issued in a few days.
If there are no grounds or if the application is incomplete or the jurisdiction is incorrect the request for an order may be denied.
A hearing may be set for the parties to present their case.
The temporary order is only valid for about 3 weeks which is the amount of time until the hearing. If the hearing is delayed for any reason, you need to check with the court to ensure the temporary order is re-issued until the hearing.
Step 6
Law Enforcement: Delivers Temporary Antiharassment Protection (restraining) Order 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 restraining order is issued. At this point it becomes a crime for the abuser to break the conditions of the restraining 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 restraining order may be issued. You can take a paper copy of the order with you for your record, and which can be crucial if you have to call the police for a future incident. The order is typically valid for 1 year.
Washington Antiharassment Protection (Restraining) order Laws
What are the requirements of getting a restraining order? That question is answered by the definition. It is important because a restraining order will be issued if the abuser's behavior is shown to meet the definition.
- (i) A malicious and intentional threat as described in RCW 9A.36.080(1)(c); or
- (ii) the presence of a firearm or other weapon.
WHO CAN START A CASE
This website provides a guided experience to people who are working themselves on preparing the court forms for a Antiharassment Protection (Restraining) Order.
1. Victim 15+ years
Anyone 15 years or older, and without a parent's permission can create the paperwork and file to start a case.
2. On behalf of a minor (under 18)
A minor's parent, legal guardian or custodian can file the petition on behalf of that minor. The parent, legal guardian or custodian must be 15 years or older.
3. On behalf of a senior or disabled person
An adult can file on behalf of a vulnerable adult
WHAT RESTRICTIONS CAN YOU ASK THE JUDGE FOR
Here are the typical restrictions places on the abuser via the restraining order.
Stay Away From You
Abuser would have to stay at least 100 yards away from you, your children and locations you request such as your work
Hand over a car
Get access to cars held by the abuser
Don't post intimate images
Take down, delete, and do not distribute intimate images of a protected person, as defined in RCW 9A.86.010.
Not to contact you
Not to contact you via phone or text or mutual friends
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.
Restrict Abusive Litigation
This is to prevent the misuse of the legal system to harass, intimidate, or burden you.
Not stalk you
Not stalk you or your loved ones, including your accounts on facebook or other social media
Handover Passport, Cell phone, Medications etc.
You an ask for your personal items such as passport, medications, clothes. This would be applicable if you were living together up to now.
Get Drugs, Mental health and Sex Offender Treatment
You can request the abuser to seek treatment for alcoholism, or drug use
Filed at Superior and District Courts in Washington
Your case documents are filed at a Superior or District Court in your county. Here are examples of some.
Snohomish Superior Court
King County Superior Court
Spokane County Superior Court
Okanogan County Superior Court
Chelan County Superior Court
Clark County Superior Court
Cowlitz County Superior Court
Lewis County Historic Courthouse
Skagit County Superior Court
Benton County Superior Court
Yakima County Superior Court
Grant County Courthouse in Ephrata, Washington
Franklin County Superior Court
Skamania County Superior Court
Garfield County Superior Court
Columbia County Superior Court
Wahkiakum County Superior Court
Ferry County Superior Court
Pend Oreille County Superior Court
San Juan County Superior Court
Pacific County Superior Court
Jefferson County Courthouse
Douglas County Superior Court
Stevens County Superior Court
Whitman County Superior Court
Mason County Superior Court
Grays Harbor County Superior Court
Clallam County Superior Court
Franklin County Superior Court
Skamania County Superior Court
Klickitat County Superior Court
FAQs
After a court issues you a restraining order, and the abuser is informed about it, then if the abuser violates it you can call 9-1-1 and the law enforcement will arrest /or charge the abuser.
You can get a temporary restraining 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. Regular (non emergency) orders may be issued in a few days. While some cases may be decided only at a hearing in a few weeks.
The forms are free. The filing fee is $53
The filing fee is automatically waived if the case involves
- Stalking
- Hate crime
- Single act/threat of violence including malicious and intentional threat or presence of firearm/weapon causing substantial emotional distress
- Family or household member engaged in domestic violence
- Nonconsensual sexual conduct or penetration or a sex offense
A petitioner can also request the filling fees to be waived if one i.e. the petitioner can request a fee waiver due to inability to afford to pay the fees by any of the following:
- They got certain public benefits (TANF, HEN, SSI, Food Stamps, or federal poverty-related veteran's benefits)
- Their income is under 125% of the federal poverty guidelines
- They have large regular basic living expenses keep you from paying the filing fee and other required charges. "Basic living expenses" means the average monthly amount you spend for living costs such as shelter, food, utilities, health care, transportation, clothing, loan payments, support payments, and court-imposed obligations.
- They have other compelling circumstances exist that demonstrate an applicant’s inability to pay
fees and/or surcharges
The sources of these information are
- RCW 7.105.105(9)(b) which states: No filing fee may be charged to a petitioner seeking an antiharassment protection order against a person who has engaged in acts of stalking as defined in RCW 9A.46.110, a hate crime under RCW 9A.36.080(1)(c), or a single act of violence or threat of violence under RCW 7.105.010(36)(b), or from a person who has engaged in nonconsensual sexual conduct or penetration or conduct that would constitute a sex offense as defined in RCW 9A.44.128, or from a person who is a family or household member or intimate partner who has engaged in conduct that would constitute domestic violence; and (ii) The court shall waive the filing fee if the court determines the petitioner is not able to pay the costs of filing.
- Washington Courts General Rule 34 (GR34).
All restraining orders including a Anti-harassment Protection (restraining) Order (AHPO) is typically issued for one year.
Yes it is possible but it depends on the order type and job.
As a legal warning, restraining orders forces 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 it can reduce the risk of fatality for the victim.
No, a lawyer is not required. However, having a lawyer in any legal situation can benefit you.
If criminal charges are filed, then a restraining order is typically also filed as it provides protection for a set time frame just in case the criminal charges are dropped. Restraining orders are also important when no crime as been committed e.g. coercive control and therefore they are the only option in many situations.
How can a restraining order affect my relationship?
A restraining order can have several effects particularly if you run into the same person but overall it can be a positive thing that avoids bigger problems.
Do Restraining Orders Help?
Here the outcome of a research on restraining orders from University of New Hampshire
1. Reduce Violence
Restraining Orders are effective in reducing violence and harassment. For half the subjects in the sample studied, a restraining order stopped the violence. For the other half, the orders significantly reduced violence and abuse.
2. Cost Effective
Restraining orders are relatively low cost for victims and for the government, particularly when compared with the social and personal costs of 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 abuse or 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.
RISKS
The abuser may react to your filing for a restraining order
The abuser particularly in proximity situations (e.g. co-worker, neighbor) may react with anger due to the perceived loss of control over you and your household.
The respondent make cause damage to shared fence e.g. neighbors, or any other shared item to cause harm to you.
A particular risk is 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
The abuser may report you or your loved ones undocumented US immigration status to the U.S authorities, or cancel health insurance.
Fearing restrictions the abuser may cause harm e.g. with neighbors report you to HOA or in case of workplaces, report you to HR.
The abuser may spread false information particularly on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or other social media.
Court Forms (Templates) 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 the Judicial Council of California.
Core Forms
Depending on Situation
TYPES OF CIVIL PROTECTION (RESTRAINING) ORDERS in Washington
In Washington there are six types of civil protection orders, with Antiharassment Protection (Restraining) Order (AHPO) being one of them.
Domestic violence is abuse from a romantic partner, or a family or a household member. The abuse can involve physical or sexual violence, or a pattern of harassment or controlling behavior or merely threats to harm.
Vulnerable adults means senior citizens or other persons who have physical or mental disabilities. This protection order is aimed at protection them from someone who is mistreating them or exploiting them financially.
For harassment, stalking, abuse, or threats by neighbor, co-worker, roommate, distant relative or a total stranger and not a current or former romantic partner or a close family or household member.
May be filed by someone who is experiencing stalking conduct by someone who is not a romantic partner or, a family or household member.
Domestic violence is abuse from a romantic partner, or a family or a household member. The abuse can involve physical or sexual violence, or a pattern of harassment or controlling behavior or merely threats to harm.
This is aimed at restricting access to firearms from someone who poses significant danger to self or others. This protection order must be requested by a family or household member or a law enforcement agency.