Get started with filing a protection order in Washington State by exploring safety planning, the filing process, statement writing tips, and hearing preparation. This page provides resources and guidance to help you through each step confidently.
A protection order* is a civil court order that can legally restrict someone from committing future acts of harm or threats against the person who is protected by the order. Protection orders are filed for by a petitioner, the person requesting protection from harm, against a respondent, the person restrained by the order.
There are six types of civil protection orders available in Washington state that vary depending on the type of harm experienced and the relationship between the petitioner and restrained person.
*In other states, a protection order may also be referred to as a protective order or a restraining order.
**Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) are sometimes referred to as “red flag laws.”
Are you a respondent in a protection order case? Learn more about the process.
Filing for a protection order can be an intimidating process, and your safety is of utmost importance. Before filing, consider creating a safety plan to help lower your risk or exposure to harm. A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan to improve your safety and well-being while experiencing abuse, preparing to leave an abusive situation, or after you leave.
In addition, working with a Domestic Violence Advocate who is trained and certified in assisting with safety planning can help make the process more supportive, informed, and comfortable. You can find more information about finding an advocate on our Resources page.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline has an interactive tool for creating a personal safety plan.
Firearm Safety
If an abuser owns a firearm that poses a threat to your safety, you can request an Order to Surrender and Prohibit Weapons as part of your petition for a protection order, or you can file an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO).
The National Domestic Violence Hotline has tools for safety planning around guns and firearms.
Suicide and Mental Health
If you are filing for a protection order and have concerns about the mental health of the gun owner or a risk of self-harm, consider seeking support from mental health professionals or request a mental health evaluation.
Electronic Monitoring with Victim Notification Technology (EMVNT)
Designed to enhance the safety and security of victims of domestic violence. By tracking the location of restrained parties using advanced GPS technology, EMVNT ensures that victims are promptly notified of any potential threats, enabling them to take necessary precautions.
Washington Victim Information & Notification Everyday (WA VINE)
A free, secure, and confidential service providing updates on custody status and protective orders. Register for notifications to stay informed about changes, ensuring peace of mind. Explore more details about WA VINE online.
The Washington Address Confidentiality Program (ACP)
ACP offers survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or trafficking, a substitute mailing address to receive first class mail. The address is accepted by Washington state, county, and city government agencies in lieu of a residential address for creating records.
Technology Safety
If you think you might be experiencing abuse through your cellphone, computer, home security or smart home systems, it can be helpful to look for patterns. New Beginnings offers training and information to help you navigate and stop technology enabled abuse.
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
VAWA requires that every court in the United States give full faith and credit to protection orders issued by other jurisdictions. 18 U.S.C. § 2265. Full faith and credit means that all jurisdictions, whether a tribe, state or territory, must honor and enforce protection orders issued by another court. Visit the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center to learn more.
While you can file forms in person with your local county and district courts, some counties are set up for online filing. Learn more about your county’s rules here.
Explore resources and tools designed to simplify the filing process for protection orders, offering guidance and support every step of the way.
King County Protection Order Portal:
A guided tool for civil protection orders that generates forms for WA courts. King County users can directly link to King County Superior Court’s E-Filing site from the portal. Note: This tool does not apply for ERPOs.
Law Help Interactive:
An interactive tool that prompts users with questions as they fill out the form. Note: This tool does not apply to ERPOs.
e-filing
See if your county e-files and get directed to WA county specific resources here.
Washington State Courts Protection Order Forms:
View all forms related to protection orders in Washington State. Note: Form POi 001 provides helpful filing instructions from the state.
Trauma can impact our sequential memory and it can be upsetting to recall details of the abuse. Seeking the support of an advocate or friend can help ease the burden of writing your statement. Here are some important tips to keep in mind as you are writing your statement and working on your testimony.
Be clear and concise. The emotional turmoil of the situation is important to convey, but be sure to focus on the facts and point to direct evidence of harm.
Provide specific details. Include important information such as dates, times, locations and descriptions of incidents. If possible, include direct quotes of threats, abusive language, and descriptions of non assault behavior such as: breaking things, punching walls, showing weapons of any kind, and getting up in your face.
Chronological order. As best as possible, present incidents in chronological order, starting with the most recent incident of abuse and working backwards. Providing a clear and descriptive statement can make it easier for the court to follow along and understand.
If you’re having trouble remember specific dates and details, ask yourself some of the following questions:
Emphasize physical and emotional impact. Describe how the events made you feel. Were you left with bruises? Did the emotional stress make it difficult to focus at work or maintain relationships with family and friends? This helps the court understand the severity of the situation.
Use consistent language. When writing your statement it is important to make sure you are using terms correctly. Check out our glossary for key terms and how to use them.
Write from a first person perspective. Make sure the statement is written from the perspective of the person filing and uses “I” statements.
Witnesses. If there were any witnesses to the events, mention them along with specific details of what they witnessed.
Supporting documents. If there are any police reports that have been filed, prior protection orders, medical treatment received as a result of abuse, photos, text messages, social media messages, or emails, it can be helpful to provide that information as supporting evidence
Prior history of abuse. If there are prior incidents of abuse, it is helpful to mention even if they don’t feel relevant to the current situation. This can help demonstrate a dangerous pattern of behavior to the court.
Review and edit. Be sure to review your statement for clarity. If you have friends or family you can rely on, it would be helpful to have them review errors or omissions. If you have questions or need professional help, reach out to an advocate or lawyer.
Confidentiality and safety. Remember these details will be a part of a public record unless submitted to the court in a sealed document. The respondent must be served with all materials you submit to the court and may be present at the court hearings. Make sure to create a safety plan.
Hearings take place in court and are open to the public. If possible, it can be helpful to observe a hearing virtually or in person so you know what to expect ahead of your own. Here are some important things to keep in mind for your hearing.
DARVO is an acronym that stands for “Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender.” Nearly all abusers will not only attack the victim or deny wrongdoing, but may actively attempt to manipulate the court into believing the petitioner is the actual abuser.
Deny: The accused individual denies the allegations against them. This can involve outright rejection of the victim’s claims or minimizing the seriousness of the behavior.
Attack: The accused then shifts the focus by attacking the credibility, character, or motivations of the accuser. This can involve questioning the accuser’s honesty, sanity, or motives, thereby undermining their claims.
Reverse Victim and Offender: The accused portrays themselves as the victim and the actual victim as the offender. This reversal is designed to garner sympathy for the accused and cast doubt on the accuser’s integrity or intentions.
DARVO can confuse the narrative, making it difficult for observers to discern the truth. Preparing for the possibility of this tactic can help you to stay clear, focused, and reduce emotional stress.
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