How to Get a Civil Protection Order in Ohio
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Ohio · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Ohio, a domestic violence civil protection order (CPO) is a civil court order that tells an abuser to stop the abuse, stay away from you, and have no contact with you, issued under Ohio Revised Code 3113.31. You seek one when a family or household member, such as a spouse, former spouse, someone you live with or have lived with, or a co-parent, has harmed you, threatened you, or made you fear imminent serious physical harm. You start by filing a Petition for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (Supreme Court Form 10.01-D) with the domestic relations division of the court of common pleas in the county where you live or where the abuse happened. No court may charge you a fee, cost, deposit, or bond to file (R.C. 3113.31(J)). If you ask for immediate protection, a judge can hold an ex parte hearing the same day and issue a temporary CPO if you show immediate and present danger of domestic violence. The court then sets a full hearing within seven court days if the order removes the respondent from your home, or within ten court days otherwise (R.C. 3113.31(D)(2)). At that hearing a judge decides whether to grant a final CPO, which can last up to five years and can be renewed (R.C. 3113.31(E)(3)). If you are in immediate danger, call 911; the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Find out where you stand in Ohio
Where are you in getting a restraining order?
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How do I get a civil protection order in Ohio?
File a Petition for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (Supreme Court Form 10.01-D) with the domestic relations division of the court of common pleas in your county. No court may charge a filing fee, cost, deposit, or bond (R.C. 3113.31(J)). A judge can grant a same-day temporary order if you show immediate danger.
How long does a temporary protection order last in Ohio?
A temporary ex parte CPO takes effect the day the judge signs it and lasts until your full hearing. The court sets that hearing within seven court days if the order removes the respondent from your home, or within ten court days in other cases (R.C. 3113.31(D)(2)).
How long does a civil protection order last in Ohio?
After a full hearing, a judge can issue a final civil protection order that stays valid until a set date, but no later than five years from the date it is issued (R.C. 3113.31(E)(3)). You can move to renew it in the same manner as the original order.
Which court handles civil protection orders in Ohio?
You file in the domestic relations division of the court of common pleas, in the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse occurred. The Ohio Supreme Court publishes the standardized domestic violence protection order forms that courts across the state use.
Ohio civil protection order law at a glance
In Ohio, a domestic violence civil protection order (CPO) protects you from abuse by a family or household member, such as a spouse, former spouse, live-in partner, or co-parent, under Ohio Revised Code 3113.31. You ask for one by filing a Petition for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (Supreme Court Form 10.01-D) with the domestic relations division of the court of common pleas, and no court may charge a fee, deposit, or bond (R.C. 3113.31(J)). A judge can hold an ex parte hearing the same day and issue a temporary CPO if you show an immediate and present danger of domestic violence. The court sets a full hearing within seven court days if the order removes the respondent from your home, or within ten court days otherwise (R.C. 3113.31(D)(2)). A final CPO can last up to five years and can be renewed (R.C. 3113.31(E)(3)).
Getting an Ohio civil protection order after threats from a former partner
Suppose a former live-in partner in Ohio keeps coming to your home and sending threatening messages. You complete the Petition for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (Form 10.01-D), describing each incident with dates, and file it with the domestic relations division of the court of common pleas at no cost (R.C. 3113.31(J)). That same day, a judge holds an ex parte hearing and signs a temporary CPO because you show an immediate and present danger. The court sets a full hearing within ten court days and has the sheriff serve your ex. At the hearing you show the messages and testify, and the judge grants a three-year CPO ordering no contact and to stay away. You keep a copy with you and calendar the expiration to renew before it ends. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Ohio Rev. Code 3113.31(D)(2) (ex parte order and full hearing timing)
After issuing an ex parte order, the court must schedule a full hearing within seven court days if the order removes the respondent from the residence or grants temporary custody, and within ten court days for other ex parte orders.
Ohio Rev. Code 3113.31(E)(3) (duration and renewal of the order)
A protection order or approved consent agreement is valid until a date certain, but not later than five years from the date of its issuance or approval, and it may be renewed in the same manner as the original order was issued.
Ohio Rev. Code 3113.31(J) (no filing fee or bond)
No court shall charge the petitioner any fee, cost, deposit, or money in connection with the filing, issuance, registration, modification, or enforcement of a protection order, and the petitioner is not required to post a bond.
Ohio Rev. Code 2903.214 (civil stalking protection order)
Authorizes a victim of menacing by stalking or a sexually oriented offense who is not a family or household member of the respondent to petition the general division of the court of common pleas for a civil stalking protection order.
Regional Variances
Ohio civil protection order rules at a glance
Order name
Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (CPO), issued under Ohio Revised Code 3113.31. For abuse by someone who is not a family or household member, Ohio offers a civil stalking protection order under R.C. 2903.214.
Where to file
The domestic relations division of the court of common pleas, in the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse occurred. No court may charge a fee or bond (R.C. 3113.31(J)).
Emergency and temporary orders
A judge can hold an ex parte hearing the same day and issue a temporary CPO on a showing of immediate and present danger. The full hearing is set within seven court days if the order removes the respondent from the home, or within ten court days otherwise (R.C. 3113.31(D)(2)).
Final order duration
After a full hearing, a final CPO is valid until a date certain, but no later than five years from issuance, and it can be renewed in the same manner as the original order (R.C. 3113.31(E)(3)).
Main form
Petition for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order, Ohio Supreme Court Form 10.01-D. The Ohio Supreme Court publishes the standardized protection order forms for use statewide.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the Petition for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (Form 10.01-D)
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out Ohio Supreme Court Form 10.01-D, describing the respondent, your family or household relationship, and each incident of abuse with specific dates. Use the free Ohio courts forms and a victim advocate if you need help. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File your petition with the common pleas court
Same day you finish the forms days after startingFile the petition with the clerk of the domestic relations division of the court of common pleas in the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse occurred. No court may charge a fee, cost, deposit, or bond (R.C. 3113.31(J)).
Ask for a same-day ex parte order and carry it
Same day the judge signs it days after startingRequest an ex parte hearing for immediate protection. If the judge issues a temporary CPO (R.C. 3113.31(D)), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It lasts until your full hearing. Note the hearing date on your papers.
Make sure the respondent is served
Before the full hearing days after startingConfirm the sheriff or a process server personally serves the respondent with your petition, the temporary order, and the hearing date. Service is required so the respondent has notice and the judge can grant a final order at the hearing.
Attend the full hearing with your evidence
Within 7 or 10 court days of the ex parte order days after startingGo to the full hearing set under R.C. 3113.31(D)(2) and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify. The judge decides whether to grant a final CPO. If you miss the hearing, your temporary order can expire.
Track the expiration and renew if needed
Before the order expires (up to 5 years out) days after startingA final CPO can last up to five years (R.C. 3113.31(E)(3)). Calendar the expiration date and file to renew before it ends, in the same manner as the original order. The court can renew if the respondent still poses a threat of harm.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the Petition for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (Form 10.01-D) | Fill out Ohio Supreme Court Form 10.01-D, describing the respondent, your family or household relationship, and each incident of abuse with specific dates. Use the free Ohio courts forms and a victim advocate if you need help. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as possible after the abuse |
| File your petition with the common pleas court | File the petition with the clerk of the domestic relations division of the court of common pleas in the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse occurred. No court may charge a fee, cost, deposit, or bond (R.C. 3113.31(J)). | - | Same day you finish the forms |
| Ask for a same-day ex parte order and carry it | Request an ex parte hearing for immediate protection. If the judge issues a temporary CPO (R.C. 3113.31(D)), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It lasts until your full hearing. Note the hearing date on your papers. | - | Same day the judge signs it |
| Make sure the respondent is served | Confirm the sheriff or a process server personally serves the respondent with your petition, the temporary order, and the hearing date. Service is required so the respondent has notice and the judge can grant a final order at the hearing. | - | Before the full hearing |
| Attend the full hearing with your evidence | Go to the full hearing set under R.C. 3113.31(D)(2) and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify. The judge decides whether to grant a final CPO. If you miss the hearing, your temporary order can expire. | - | Within 7 or 10 court days of the ex parte order |
| Track the expiration and renew if needed | A final CPO can last up to five years (R.C. 3113.31(E)(3)). Calendar the expiration date and file to renew before it ends, in the same manner as the original order. The court can renew if the respondent still poses a threat of harm. | - | Before the order expires (up to 5 years out) |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Ohio Revised Code 3113.31(J) states that no court shall charge the petitioner any fee, cost, deposit, or money in connection with filing a petition for a domestic violence civil protection order. The court also cannot require you to post a bond to obtain the order.
You can file if the person who harmed or threatened you is a family or household member (R.C. 3113.31(A)). That includes a current or former spouse, someone you live with or have lived with as a spouse, a co-parent, or a relative by blood or marriage. A parent can file for a child.
A domestic violence CPO under R.C. 3113.31 only covers family or household members. If a stranger, neighbor, or acquaintance is stalking or menacing you, you can instead seek a civil stalking protection order under Ohio Revised Code 2903.214, filed in the general division of the court of common pleas.
You file a Petition for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order, Ohio Supreme Court Form 10.01-D, with the domestic relations division of the court of common pleas. The Ohio Supreme Court publishes the standardized protection order forms, and many courts provide victim advocates who help you complete the petition at no charge.
At the full hearing, both you and the respondent can attend, present evidence, and testify. The judge decides whether to grant a final civil protection order and what terms to include, such as no contact and stay-away orders. If the respondent was served and does not appear, the judge can still grant the order.
Yes. A final CPO can last up to five years (R.C. 3113.31(E)(3)), and you can move to renew it in the same manner as the original order. The court can renew if the respondent's conduct still poses a threat of harm to you or your family or household members.
Violating a civil protection order is a crime in Ohio. Call the police, who can arrest the person, and the court can also hold the respondent in contempt. Keep a copy of your order with you, report every violation, and know that active orders are entered in a statewide law-enforcement database.
No. Ohio courts allow you to petition for a civil protection order on your own, using the free Supreme Court forms, and many courts have victim advocates who help. Filing without a lawyer is common, especially for the temporary order. Legal help can be useful if the case is contested.
Other Ohio guides
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