Washington Domestic Violence Temporary Protective Orders

When abusive crimes hit close to home, escaping can seem impossible. Washington State offers relief through domestic violence protection orders. These court orders include provisions designed to keep abusers away from their victims. They can also address temporary custody, child support, firearms possession, abusive litigation, and much more.

There are various types of protection orders available in the state of Washington. To avoid confusion, this article will explain what Washington considers domestic violence, outline the protections available through a dedicated protection order, and guide you through the application process. Read on for a deeper understanding of domestic violence protective orders (DVPO) in Washington.

If you’re suffering abuse that isn’t domestic violence, you deserve relief as well. FindLaw’s Washington Protective Orders Laws article can help you figure out which order is right for your situation.

Washington Domestic Violence Temporary Protective Orders – Defining Domestic Violence

Domestic violence crimes occur when certain abusive offenses occur between people sharing close, personal relationships. These acts can tear families apart. Not every crime is eligible for the relief offered by a domestic violence protective order. To determine if you are eligible to apply, it’s essential to understand the requirements.

As discussed in FindLaw’s Washington Domestic Violence Laws article, there can’t be an instance of domestic violence between strangers in Washington. Qualifying crimes must happen between family members, household members, and intimate partners. These include the following:

• Spouses or domestic partners
• Former spouses or former domestic partners
• People who have a child in common
• People who have a dating relationship where both persons are at least 16 years of age
• People who had a dating relationship where both persons were at least 16 years of age
• People at least 16 years of age who reside together and are dating
• People at least 16 years of age who reside together and have dated
• Parents and children, including stepparents, stepchildren, grandparents, grandchildren, or a parent’s intimate partner and children
• Adults related by blood (consanguinity)
• Adults related by marriage (in-laws and stepfamily)
• Adults related by domestic partnership
• Family related by adoption
• People who reside together
• People who resided together
• A legal guardian
• Someone who was a legal guardian

Having people in qualifying relationships is only half of the requirement. The abusive acts committed must fall under at least one of the following categories as of 7/01/2025:

• Physical harm
• Bodily injury
• Assault
• The infliction of credible fear of physical harm, bodily injury, or assault
• Nonconsensual sexual conduct
• Nonconsensual sexual penetration
• Coercive control
• Unlawful harassment
• Stalking

If an offense that fits one of the categories happens between family members, household members, or intimate partners, it’s domestic violence in Washington and eligible for a DVPO. Someone suffering sexual abuse by their former spouse is domestic violence. A person being punched by a coworker is an assault offense, but not domestic violence.

Washington Domestic Violence Temporary Protective Orders Laws – How They Work

Most Washington domestic violence protections have slight differences between them. This is because each DVPO tailors its provisions to cover the specific needs of a victim. While no-contact orders and stay-away conditions are common, DVPOs can address other pending issues between the abuser and the victim. These include:

• The respondent (abuser) must not commit any further acts of domestic violence against the petitioner (victim)
• The respondent must obey a non-contact order with the petitioner
• The respondent must vacate a shared residence and not return
• The respondent must stay a certain distance away from the petitioner’s residence, workplace, school, or the daycare or school of a minor child (1,000 feet is a common distance)
• The court may set temporary child custody and child visitation restrictions, which may include supervised visitation or denial of visitation for the respondent
• Ordering mandatory participation by the respondent in a state-certified domestic violence perpetrator treatment program
• Ordering a mandatory mental health or chemical dependency evaluation for the respondent
• Ordering the respondent to switch schools if the threat to the petitioner outweighs the rights of the respondent
• Order the respondent to pay the legal fees of the petitioner
• Forbidding the respondent from harassing the petitioner by any means, including through social media
• Ordering electronic monitoring of the respondent and requiring the respondent to pay all costs
• Ordering the respondent to surrender all firearms and ammunition and to prohibit weapons for the duration of the DVPO
• Ordering possession or custody of shared personal items, including pets
• Ordering possession of a vehicle or vehicles
• Forbidding the respondent from filing abusive litigation
• Forbidding the respondent from committing acts of abandonment, abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation against a vulnerable adult (if the vulnerable adult is a family member, household member, or intimate partner)
• Requiring an accounting by the respondent of the disposition of the vulnerable adult’s income or other resources
• Restraining the transfer of either the respondent‘s or vulnerable adult’s property, or both, for a specified period not exceeding 90 days
• Ordering financial relief and restraining the transfer of jointly owned assets
• Ordering the respondent to surrender intimate images of the petitioner

For provisions involving eviction and gathering personal items, Washington law enforcement will oversee the process. Washington domestic violence protection orders may contain some, all, or none of the listed provisions. The court can add any condition it considers necessary for the victim’s safety.

Washington Temporary Domestic Violence Protective Orders – Getting a DVPO

If you’re being abused or in imminent danger of further abuse, call 911. Police officers receive special training for domestic violence situations. This includes making the victim aware of nearby shelters and domestic violence advocates.

Getting a DVPO starts with filing a petition. If you feel your abuser may harm you again in the immediate future, you can apply for a temporary ex parte domestic violence protection order. Court forms are available online or in the court clerk‘s office. You can file in either district court or superior court. Depending on the details, your case may get moved to superior court.

There’s no charge for filing for a DVPO. You (petitioner) should file in your home county, but other venues are permitted. When filling out the petition and affidavit, include as many details about the types of abuse you suffered as possible. While painful to relive, it can help the court agree with your assessment of danger. You can request that confidential information, like a new address, remain hidden from your abuser.

If the court agrees that the respondent (abuser) is an active danger, the temporary protection order (TPO) is issued. A copy of the order is served to the respondent. In certain situations, this is handled by law enforcement. If the order is served in person, the temporary DVPO lasts for 14 days or until the final court hearing. If mailed, it remains valid for up to 30 days or until the court date.

The order is enforceable as soon as it’s served. Law enforcement will assist with eviction from shared dwellings or retrieval of personal items. The situation is resolved at a full hearing date if:

• The respondent chooses to oppose the order
• You were denied a temporary DVPO
• You chose to file for a full DVPO instead of a temporary DVPO

At the final protection order hearing, both parties can offer their side of the story, call witnesses, and present evidence. The burden of proof is on the petitioner to show the respondent is an ongoing threat. If successful, the court issues a full domestic violence protection order. This goes into immediate effect.

Full DVPOs must have a duration of at least one year. The exact duration is set by the court and cannot exceed a year if the visitation rights of the restrained person are involved. The court can also make the order permanent, which gives it a duration of 99 years. Under federal law, all DVPOs issued in Washington are valid in all fifty states, U.S. territories, and tribal reservations.

Washington Temporary Domestic Violence Protective Orders – Penalties for Violations

Effective protection orders have stiff penalties to deter abusers from committing violations. Washington DVPOs consider violations as contempt of court. Violation of a protection order carries other penalties as well:

• First or second violation (gross misdemeanor): Up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $5,000
• Any violation involving assault or creating a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury (Class C felony): Up to five years in a state correctional institution and a fine of up to $10,000
• Third or subsequent violation (Class C felony): Up to five years in a state correctional institution and a fine of up to $10,000

Violators may also face mandatory counseling or participation in intervention programs.

Washington Temporary Domestic Violence Protective Orders: Review

Domestic violence protection orders can help a victim escape their abusers forever. The table below provides summaries of all protective orders available in Washington, along with links to relevant codes.

Note: Washington laws change through the passage of new legislation, higher court rulings that include federal decisions, ballot initiatives, and other means. To confirm current laws, speak to a Washington domestic violence attorney or conduct your own research.

Washington Domestic Violence Temporary Protective Orders: Related Resources

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
• Find a Washington Court Near You
• Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Washington Domestic Violence Laws
• Overview of Restraining Orders and Protective Orders

Need Legal Advice About Washington Protective Orders? Speak With an Attorney

Domestic violence laws are complicated. Consulting a domestic violence attorney or a domestic violence attorney is a good idea. Having a protection order can make a huge difference in bettering your life.

If you’ve violated a temporary order of protection in Washington, you’re going to need legal assistance. A criminal defense attorney will examine your case and stand with you in court.