Do I Need a Protection Order?
A protection order is an order you request from the court if you are experiencing domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, or stalking. There are specific protection orders for each of these situations. You do not need to also file a family law case.
If you want help from the court in situations involving:
-
-
- child support or custody
- moving with children
- spousal financial support
- payment of bills
- possession of a home
-
consider filing a family law case and asking for temporary orders.
Need Protection from a Spouse
or Intimate Partner?
If you are experiencing harm or threats of harm from a spouse or intimate partner, contact:
King County’s Protection Order Advocates Program
Seattle – (206) 477-1103
Kent – (206) 477-3758
or
Seattle University School of Law’s Family Law Center
(206) 371-0210
Protection from Someone Else?
If you need protection from someone besides a spouse or intimate partner, contact:
or
Need the Forms?
You can file for a protection order by filling out paper forms or using one of the Court’s online portals. Paper forms are available for free if you visit either the District Court or Superior Court clerks offices.
If you are filing in District Court, you can download the paper forms or access the online portal here:
If you are filing in Superior Court, you can download the paper forms or access the online portal here:
You can also download the paper forms or access the online portal at WashingtonLawHelp here:
Want to Challenge a Protection Order?
You can ask the Court to review a finalized protection order in a couple of ways, depending on how the order was issued.
If the order was signed by a commissioner, use the WashingtonLawHelp packet here:
Ask for a Revision of a Protection Order Signed by a Commissioner
If the order was signed by a judge, use the WashingtonLawHelp packet here:
Ask for a Reconsideration of a Protection Order Signed by a Judge