Washington Protection Orders — How to Get One

A domestic violence protection order in Washington is a civil court order designed to protect a person from domestic violence, abuse, threats, or harassment by someone with whom they have a qualifying relationship.

Person subjected to domestic violence by a family or household member, intimate partner, or person with whom they have or have had a dating relationship.

A parent, guardian, or other authorized person may typically file on behalf of a minor or incapacitated person.

Ex parte temporary protection order (TPO) under §7.105.100 (issued initially for up to 14 days, which may be extended for good cause); final protection order after hearing.

After notice and a hearing the court may grant relief for a fixed period of time or enter a permanent protection order; other than for antiharassment orders, relief may not be granted for less than one year unless the petitioner specifically requests a shorter period, and a restraint on contact with the respondent's own minor children must be for a fixed period not to exceed one year (per §7.105.315).

Orders are filed in: Superior court, district court, or municipal court; no filing fee for petitioner.

• No-contact and stay-away provisions
• Exclusive possession of a shared residence
• Temporary custody of minor children
• Temporary child support
• Order to attend counseling or intervention programs
• Prohibition on destroying, hiding, or disposing of property
• Any other relief the court deems necessary for the petitioner's safety

Under federal law §18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8), it is a federal crime to possess a firearm while subject to a qualifying protection order — one issued after a hearing with notice and opportunity to participate, that restrains the person from threatening or using force against an intimate partner or child, and that includes either a credible-threat finding or an explicit prohibition on force. Ex parte or temporary orders issued without notice to the respondent generally do not trigger this federal prohibition.

Washington state law: Mandatory when the court makes the findings or the order includes the terms described in §9.41.800: the respondent must immediately surrender all firearms, dangerous weapons, and any concealed pistol license and is prohibited from possessing them; the court may also order temporary surrender without notice on a showing of irreparable injury. Under §9.41.801 the order is effective upon service and surrender must be immediate when a law enforcement officer serves it, must occur in a safe manner on the day of a hearing the respondent attended in person or remotely, or — if personal service by a law enforcement officer is not possible and the respondent did not appear — within 24 hours of alternate service; courts hold compliance review hearings and may impose contempt sanctions §9.41.800; §9.41.801.

Violating a protection order is a criminal offense. Depending on the circumstances and the state, a violation may be charged as a Misdemeanor or a Felony. Law enforcement can arrest a respondent for a violation without a warrant.