Protection orders

General information

The laws covering civil protection orders can be found in Chapter 7.105 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW).

Clark County's Family Court Facilitator program provides assistance to individuals who choose to represent themselves in matters dealing with protection orders. The facilitator is available for in-person assistance for domestic violence protection orders on a walk-in basis at no cost.

Forms and instructions

There is one consolidated form set for protection orders involving vulnerable adults, domestic violence, harassment, stalking, and sexual assault. Official court forms related to protection orders are available on the State Court website.

Washington LawHelp has forms and instructions for protection orders for filing for:

Extreme risk protection orders use different forms. These orders require a person who is a significant danger of causing personal injury to self or others in the near future to surrender weapons. Official court forms for extreme risk protection orders are available on the State Court website.

For all protection orders, you must file your paperwork at the Superior Court Clerk's Office before 11:00 am in order to have a judge review your paperwork that day. If you file later than 11:00 am a judge will review it on the next business day. According to the Court Clerk, petitions can be filed in person or electronically at ProtectionOrdFilings@clark.wa.gov.

Self-help kit from the law library

self-help form kits

The law library sells a Sealed Name Change self-help kit. The kit includes forms and instructions for certain individuals as allowed by law to request a sealed (confidential) name change for themselves, their child, or someone for whom they have been appointed guardian. Kits can be purchased at the library or online and mailed out.

Additional resources

Joel's Law allows for a Petition for Initial Detention to be filed by a family member, guardian, conservator, or federally recognized Indian tribe. These petitions address situations where a person with a behavioral health disorder is a danger to themselves, others, property, or is gravely disabled. The Washington State Health Care Authority has a fact sheet with information about the process.