Domestic Violence

Required Documents

The documents required for filing a domestic violence protection order are available at the District Court Clerk’s Office or on the Washington Court Forms website.

Qualification

If your situation is one of the following, you must apply through the Superior Court Clerk’s office:

  • Divorced with child(ren)
  • Getting divorced with or without child(ren)
  • Married with or without child(ren)
  • Not married but with child(ren) in common

Definitions

 The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 26.50 provides guidance and the following definitions to assist in determining whether a situation requires a domestic violence protection order or an anti-harassment protection order:

Domestic Violence

“Domestic violence” means:

  • Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault, between family or household members
  • Sexual assault of one family or household member by another
  • Stalking of one family or household member by another family or household member

Family or Household Members

“Family or household members” means:

  • Adult persons related by blood or marriage
  • Adult persons who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past
  • Persons sixteen years of age or older who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past and who have or have had a dating relationship
  • Persons sixteen years of age or older with whom a person sixteen years of age or older has or has had a dating relationship
  • Persons who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship, including stepparents, stepchildren, grandparents and grandchildren
  • Spouses, domestic partners, former spouses, former domestic partners, persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time

Dating Relationship

“Dating relationship” means a social relationship of a romantic nature. Factors that the court may consider in making this determination include:

  • Frequency of interaction between the parties
  • Length of time the relationship has existed
  • Nature of the relationship

Fees

There are no fees involved with filing for a domestic violence protection order.

Hearings

Once the Judge approves a petition, a hearing date will be set by the District Court Clerk and you will be contacted to pick up your petition package.