Civil Protection Orders
An Order for Protection is a civil court order that restrains the person who has been committing acts or threats of violence, harassment, sexual assault, or elder abuse from further acts. Please see below to determine which type of protection order you may need.
What types of protection orders are there?
Domestic Violence means (a) physical harm, bodily injury, assault or the infliction of fear of physical harm, bodily injury or assault; nonconsensual sexual penetration; coercive control; unlawful harassment; or stalking of one intimate partner by another intimate partner; or(b) Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the infliction of fear of physical harm, bodily injury, or assault; nonconsensual sexual conduct or nonconsensual sexual penetration; coercive control; unlawful harassment; or stalking of one family or household member by another family or household member.
Criteria: Family or Household member
Relationship: Family or Household Member
- Parent/Guardian
- Spouse or former spouse
- Domestic Partner
- Dating Relationship
- People with child(ren) in common
- Child
- Current Roommate
- Stepchild, stepparents, grandparents, in-laws
- Other Blood relative
- Individual living in same household
A course of conduct directed at a specific person that seriously alarms, annoys, or harasses, or is detrimental to a person and which serves no legitimate or lawful purpose.
Criteria: Parties have no child in common, no intimate relationship, no associated Superior Court case, no real property at issue (example: a neighbor)
File with the Thurston County District Court.
Filing Fee: $53.00
A course of conduct directed at a specific person that seriously alarms, annoys, or harasses, or is detrimental to a person and which serves no legitimate or lawful purpose. Conduct can include stalking; hate crime; single act of violence; threat of violence; family household member engaged in domestic violence; nonconsensual sexual conduct or penetration of a sex offense.
Criteria: Parties have a child in common; there is an associated Superior Court Case; or real property is at issue.
File in Thurston County Superior Court Family and Juvenile Court
Filing Fee: $53.00
A course of conduct directed at a specific person that seriously alarms, annoys, or harasses, or is detrimental to a person and which serves no legitimate or lawful purpose. Conduct can include stalking; hate crime; single act of violence; threat of violence; family household member engaged in domestic violence; nonconsensual sexual conduct or penetration of a sex offense.
Criteria: One or both of the parties is a minor
File in Thurston County Superior Court Family and Juvenile Court
Filing Fee: None
RCW 7.105: Petition may be filed by vulnerable adult or “interested person” on behalf of the vulnerable adult. Petitioner must allege that there has been intentional, willful, or reckless action or inaction that inflicts injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or punishment on a vulnerable adult. Petition must state specific facts and circumstances which demonstrate need for relief sought.
Criteria of a Vulnerable Adult:
- Is over the age of 60 and has no functional, mental or physical ability to care for self
- An individual subject to guardianship under RCW 11.130.25 or an individual subject to conservatorship under RCW 11.130.360
- Has a developmental disability
- Has been admitted to a facility (nursing home, assisted care, etc.)
- Receiving services from home health, hospice or individual provider
- Self-directs care but gets services from personal aide under RCW 74.39
File in Thurston County Superior Court Family and Juvenile Court
Filing Fee: None
RCW 7.105: A sexual assault protection order can be filed when the petitioner alleges the existence of nonconsensual sexual conduct or nonconsensual sexual penetration was committed against the petitioner by the respondent.
Who May File:
- Anyone who does not qualify for a DVPO under RCW 7.105 and who is a victim of nonconsensual sexual conduct/penetration
- On behalf of a minor child, where the petitioner is the parent, legal guardian, or custodian
- On behalf of a vulnerable adult, where the petitioner is an interested person
- On behalf of any other adult who because of age, disability, health or inaccessibility cannot file the petition, where the petitioner is interested in the adult's well being
File in Thurston County Superior Court Family and Juvenile Court
Filing Fee: None
RCW 7.105: An Extreme Risk Protection Order can be filed by a law enforcement agency, a law enforcement officer or a person who is a family or household member of the respondent. The order is filed against a person who poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to self or others in the near future by having firearms. Factors that demonstrate such a risk can include threatening or violent behavior, threats, or self-harm, and abuse of drugs or alcohol. The order directs a person to surrender their firearms. It would be illegal to access, receive, purchase, possess or have control of firearms. It also restrains the person from obtaining a concealed pistol license and orders surrender of the license if they already have one.
File in Thurston County Superior Court Family and Juvenile Court
How do I get a Protection Order?
- Petitions can be requested and submitted via email at ClerksPO@co.thurston.wa.us or in-person at the Clerk’s Self-Help Center located at the Family and Juvenile Court Clerk’s Office, 2801 32nd Ave SW; Tumwater WA 98502.
- Hearings are daily at 1:15 p.m.
Things to expect:
- You must complete all forms petitioning the court for a Temporary Order for Protection.
- You will be asked to describe the most recent incident and/or threat and provide a history of incidents. Initial hearings are heard every court day.
- A Judge or Commissioner will review your paperwork; may ask you some questions; and will decide whether to grant or deny a temporary order.
- A second hearing will be held approximately two weeks later to grant or deny an Order for Protection effective for one year or longer. During these two weeks, the respondent will be served with both the Petition and the Temporary Order and notice of the hearing date. You must attend this hearing even if the respondent has not been served.
- Security officers are available at the courthouse to provide you with protection while attending court.
Assistance with Protection Orders
Clerk’s Domestic Violence Liaisons Contact Email: ClerksPO@co.thurston.wa.us.