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Civil Protection Orders
Petition for Civil Protection Order
You may petition for a Civil Protection Order by coming into the Clerk's Office or by filling out your petition online by clicking the link above.
If you choose to fill out your petition online, please follow the instructions that are given after you submit your petition. The Clerks Office is open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Generally, petitions will be processed and prioritized based upon the order they are received. Please see below to determine which type of protection order you may need.
Civil Protection Order petitions are filed with:
The Clerk of Superior Court
930 Tacoma Ave. South, Room 110
Tacoma, WA 98402
Community Resources Information
Types of protection orders
- Domestic Violence Protection Order
- Anti-Harassment Orders
- Vulnerable Adult Protection Order
- Sexual Assault Protection Order
- Extreme Risk Protection Order
Domestic Violence Protection Order
Filing Fee: None
RCW 7.105: 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.
Relationship: Family or Household Member
- Current or former spouses or domestic partners
- People with a child(ren) in common
- Adults related by blood or marriage
- Adults who presently reside together or who previously resided together
- People age 15 or older who live or lived together and/or who have had a dating relationship
- People who have a biological or legal step-parent or step-child relationship. This includes stepparents and stepchildren and grandparents and grandchildren
Anti-Harassment Orders
Filing Fee: $83
Most anti-harassment cases will be filed with Pierce County District Court located at 930 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma WA 98402, Rm 239
There are certain circumstances when an Anti-Harassment petition should be filed with Superior Court:
- Current or former spouses or domestic partners
- People with a child(ren) in common
- Adults related by blood or marriage
- Adults who presently reside together or who previously resided together
- People age 15 or older who live or lived together and/or who have had a dating relationship
- People who have a biological or legal step-parent or step-child relationship. This includes stepparents and stepchildren and grandparents and grandchildren
- Minor filing against another minor
*For assistance determining which court has jurisdiction for an anti-harassment protection order, Click here.
Vulnerable Adult Protection Order (VAPO)
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.
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
Sexual Assault Protection Order (SAPO)
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
Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO)
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.