How to Get a Protection Order in Washington
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Washington · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Washington, a domestic violence protection order is a civil court order that directs a family or household member who has abused you to stop the abuse, stay away, and have no contact with you. Washington created it as one of six order types you request on a single Petition for Protection Order (form PO 001) under the Civil Protection Order Act (chapter 7.105 RCW), which took effect July 1, 2022. The same petition also covers sexual assault, stalking, harassment, vulnerable adult, and extreme risk orders. You file in superior court, or in district court for a temporary order, and a domestic violence petition carries no filing fee and no service fee (RCW 7.105.105). A judge can issue an ex parte temporary protection order the same day, with or without a hearing and without the other person present (RCW 7.105.305). That temporary order lasts until your full hearing, which the court sets not later than 14 days from filing. At the hearing, the judge decides whether to grant a final protection order, which runs for a fixed period of at least one year or can be permanent (RCW 7.105.315). 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.
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How do I get a domestic violence protection order in Washington?
File a Petition for Protection Order (form PO 001) in superior court, or in district court for a temporary order. A domestic violence petition has no filing fee (RCW 7.105.105). A judge can grant an ex parte temporary order the same day, and the court sets a full hearing within 14 days.
How long does it take to get a protection order in Washington?
A judge can issue an ex parte temporary protection order the same day you file, with or without a hearing and without the other person present, based on your written petition (RCW 7.105.305). That temporary order protects you until your full hearing, which the court must set not later than 14 days from filing.
How long does a domestic violence protection order last in Washington?
A final protection order issued after the hearing runs for a fixed period of at least one year, or the court can make it permanent (RCW 7.105.315). A temporary order lasts only until the hearing. You can move to renew a fixed-period order within 90 days before it expires (RCW 7.105.405).
Which court handles protection orders in Washington?
You can start your case in superior court or district court, whichever is more convenient. In some cases, a district court can grant a temporary order but then transfers the case to superior court for the full hearing. File in the county where you live (RCW 7.105.075).
Washington protection order law at a glance
In Washington, a domestic violence protection order is a civil court order that tells a family or household member or intimate partner who has abused you to stop the abuse and stay away from you. Since the Civil Protection Order Act took effect on July 1, 2022, you request it on one Petition for Protection Order (form PO 001) that also covers sexual assault, stalking, harassment, vulnerable adult, and extreme risk orders (chapter 7.105 RCW). A domestic violence petition has no filing fee and no service fee (RCW 7.105.105). A judge can issue an ex parte temporary order the same day, and the court sets a full hearing within 14 days (RCW 7.105.305). A final order runs for a fixed period of at least one year or can be permanent (RCW 7.105.315).
Getting a Washington protection order after threats from an ex-partner
In Washington, one Petition for Protection Order (form PO 001) covers domestic violence, so you use it after a former partner starts showing up at your home and sending threatening messages. You describe the threats with dates and file the petition in superior court at no cost (RCW 7.105.105). The same day, a judge signs an ex parte temporary protection order because your petition shows serious immediate harm (RCW 7.105.305), and the court sets your full hearing within 14 days. Law enforcement serves your ex with the papers. At the hearing you show screenshots of the messages and testify. The court grants a final protection order for two years ordering no contact and a stay-away distance (RCW 7.105.315). You keep a copy with you and calendar the expiration to renew. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
RCW 7.105.305 (ex parte temporary protection order)
Authorizes the court to issue an ex parte temporary protection order on the petition, with or without a hearing, when the petition shows serious immediate harm or irreparable injury, and requires the full hearing to be set not later than 14 days from the filing of the petition.
RCW 7.105.105 (no filing or service fee)
Provides that no fees for service of process may be charged to petitioners seeking relief under the chapter, and that a filing fee may be charged only for an antiharassment protection order, not for a petition based on domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault.
RCW 7.105.315 (duration of the final order)
Provides that when issuing an order after notice and a hearing the court may grant relief for a fixed period of time or enter a permanent order of protection, and that, other than for antiharassment orders, the court shall not grant relief for less than one year unless the petitioner requests a shorter period.
RCW 7.105.100 (petition for a protection order)
Establishes a single action known as a petition for a protection order, through which a petitioner may seek a domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, vulnerable adult, extreme risk, or antiharassment protection order under the Civil Protection Order Act.
Regional Variances
Washington protection order rules at a glance
Order name
Domestic Violence Protection Order, one of six order types requested on a single Petition for Protection Order (PO 001) under the Civil Protection Order Act (chapter 7.105 RCW). The others are sexual assault, stalking, harassment, vulnerable adult, and extreme risk orders.
Where to file
Superior court, or district court if more convenient, in the county where you live (RCW 7.105.075). A district court can grant a temporary order but transfers the case to superior court for the full hearing. There is no filing fee for a domestic violence petition (RCW 7.105.105).
Emergency and temporary orders
A judge can issue an ex parte temporary protection order the same day, with or without a hearing and without the other person present (RCW 7.105.305). It lasts until the full hearing, which the court sets not later than 14 days from filing.
Final order duration
After the hearing, a final protection order runs for a fixed period of at least one year, or the court can make it permanent (RCW 7.105.315). You can move to renew a fixed-period order within 90 days before it expires (RCW 7.105.405).
Main form
Petition for Protection Order, form PO 001, from the Washington Courts. This single unified petition covers all six protection order types. Forms and instructions are free through the Washington Courts website.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the Petition for Protection Order (PO 001)
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out form PO 001, the Petition for Protection Order, describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates. This one petition covers all six order types. Use the free Washington Courts forms and instructions or a courthouse advocate. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File your petition with the court
Same day you finish the petition days after startingFile form PO 001 with the clerk in superior court, or in district court if more convenient, in the county where you live. A domestic violence petition has no filing fee and no service fee (RCW 7.105.105). Ask the clerk when the judge will decide on your temporary order.
Get and carry the temporary protection order
Same day the judge signs it days after startingIf the judge grants an ex parte temporary protection order (RCW 7.105.305), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It lasts until your full hearing, which the court sets not later than 14 days from filing. Note your hearing date.
Arrange service on the respondent
Before the hearing days after startingHave law enforcement serve the respondent with your filed petition and any temporary order, then confirm proof of service with the court. There is no service fee for a domestic violence petition. Service is required for the court to grant a final order at the hearing.
Attend the full hearing with your evidence
Within 14 days of filing (RCW 7.105.305) days after startingGo to the full hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify. The court decides whether to issue a final protection order (RCW 7.105.315). If you miss the hearing, your temporary order can expire without a final order in place.
Track the expiration and renew if needed
Within 90 days before the order expires days after startingA final order runs for a fixed period of at least one year, or can be permanent (RCW 7.105.315). Calendar the expiration date and file a motion to renew within the 90 days before it ends (RCW 7.105.405). You do not have to prove new abuse to renew.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the Petition for Protection Order (PO 001) | Fill out form PO 001, the Petition for Protection Order, describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates. This one petition covers all six order types. Use the free Washington Courts forms and instructions or a courthouse advocate. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as possible after the abuse |
| File your petition with the court | File form PO 001 with the clerk in superior court, or in district court if more convenient, in the county where you live. A domestic violence petition has no filing fee and no service fee (RCW 7.105.105). Ask the clerk when the judge will decide on your temporary order. | - | Same day you finish the petition |
| Get and carry the temporary protection order | If the judge grants an ex parte temporary protection order (RCW 7.105.305), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It lasts until your full hearing, which the court sets not later than 14 days from filing. Note your hearing date. | - | Same day the judge signs it |
| Arrange service on the respondent | Have law enforcement serve the respondent with your filed petition and any temporary order, then confirm proof of service with the court. There is no service fee for a domestic violence petition. Service is required for the court to grant a final order at the hearing. | - | Before the hearing |
| Attend the full hearing with your evidence | Go to the full hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify. The court decides whether to issue a final protection order (RCW 7.105.315). If you miss the hearing, your temporary order can expire without a final order in place. | - | Within 14 days of filing (RCW 7.105.305) |
| Track the expiration and renew if needed | A final order runs for a fixed period of at least one year, or can be permanent (RCW 7.105.315). Calendar the expiration date and file a motion to renew within the 90 days before it ends (RCW 7.105.405). You do not have to prove new abuse to renew. | - | Within 90 days before the order expires |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A domestic violence protection order has no filing fee, and no service-of-process fee, in Washington. RCW 7.105.105 states that no fees for service of process may be charged to petitioners, and a filing fee may be charged only for an antiharassment protection order, not a domestic violence one.
The court may issue an ex parte temporary protection order on your petition, with or without a hearing and without the other person present, if it shows serious immediate harm or irreparable injury (RCW 7.105.305). It takes effect when signed and protects you until your full hearing, set within 14 days of filing.
You can file if the person who abused you is a family or household member or an intimate partner, such as a spouse, former spouse, dating partner, co-parent, or relative. A parent or guardian can file for a child. For abuse by someone outside these relationships, you would use a different protection order type.
You file the Petition for Protection Order, form PO 001, from the Washington Courts. Since the 2022 Civil Protection Order Act, this single petition covers all six order types: domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, unlawful harassment, vulnerable adult, and extreme risk. The forms and instructions are free through the Washington Courts website.
At the full hearing, both you and the respondent can attend, present evidence, and testify. The court decides whether to issue a final protection order and what protections to include, such as no contact and stay-away terms. If the respondent was served and does not appear, the court can still grant the order.
Yes. You can file a motion to renew a fixed-period protection order at any time within the 90 days before it expires (RCW 7.105.405). You do not have to prove new abuse or a current reasonable fear of harm; the respondent must show that circumstances have substantially changed to defeat the renewal.
Violating a protection order is a crime in Washington. Call the police, who can arrest the person for the violation, and you can also ask the court to hold them in contempt. Keep a copy of your order with you, report every violation, and note that active orders are entered in a law-enforcement database.
No. Washington courts are set up for people to request protection orders on their own, with free PO 001 forms, instructions, and protection order advocates at many courthouses. Many people file without a lawyer, especially for a temporary order. Legal help can be useful if the case is contested.
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