Protection Order Overview


Washington State law allows for a person to file a civil case in court asking a judge to grant an order to protect them from another person whose behavior is abusive, threatening, exploitive or seriously alarming.  The primary purpose of most is to order the "respondent" to not contact or harm the "petitioner."  Unlike other protection orders, an Extreme Risk Protection Order does not provide protection to the petitioner.  Its primary purpose is to order the respondent to surrender weapons.

There are 6 types of protections orders.

  • Antiharassment Protection Order 
  • Domestic Violence Protection Order
  • Sexual Assault Protection Order 
  • Stalking Protection Order 
  • Vulnerable Adult Protection Order 
  • Extreme Risk Protection Order 

State law establishes who can seek them, who they can protect, who they can restrain, when and where court hearings are conducted, what costs may be incurred, etc. 

Forms can be found on the Washington State Courts website

Additional information on how to obtain a protection order can be found at www.washingtonlawhelp.org.  

Petitions can be filed in person or electronically at ProtectionOrdFilings@clark.wa.gov

Protection Order Community Resource List