Civil Protection Orders in Clinton County

Where to File: Clinton County Court of Common Pleas (Domestic Relations)

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Clinton County Juvenile Court
46 South South Street, Wilmington, OH 45177, Wilmington, OH 45177
Phone: (937) 382-2391
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Civil Protection Orders is the right path if…

• You have been harmed or threatened by a family or household member (or a dating partner).
• You need protection right away — the court can issue a same-day ex parte order.
• You are a parent filing on behalf of a minor.
• You are being stalked or menaced and need a civil-stalking protection order.

Filing Fees

There is no filing fee for a civil protection order petitioner in Clinton County (R.C. 3113.31). The Clinton County Sheriff's Office, (937) 382-1611, serves the order at no cost to the petitioner. The Alternatives to Violence Center (24-hour Crisis Line 1-888-816-1146) can help you prepare.

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Clinton County

1. Choose the right packet. Use the Domestic Violence packet for a family or household member (R.C. 3113.31), the Dating Violence packet for a dating partner, or the Civil Stalking packet for menacing/stalking (R.C. 2903.214).
2. File during CPO filing hours. File the petition in person with the General Division during filing hours of 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (CPOs are a paper exception to e-filing). After 2:00 p.m. may be processed the next business day; an ex parte petitioner is available until 4:00 p.m. under DR Local Rule 7.01.
3. Attend the same-day ex parte review. If the petition shows immediate danger, the court can issue a temporary ex parte protection order that day.
4. Attend the full hearing. A full hearing is set within about 7–10 days, where both sides present evidence and the court decides whether to issue a final order for up to five years.
5. Get the order served. The Clinton County Sheriff's Office, (937) 382-1611, serves the order on the respondent and indexes it so law enforcement can enforce it.

Clinton County Practice Notes

• Three separate packets. Clinton County publishes three protection-order packets — Domestic Violence (R.C. 3113.31), Dating Violence, and Civil Stalking / Sexually Oriented Offense (R.C. 2903.214). Choose the one that matches your relationship to the respondent and the conduct involved.
• Same-day ex parte, then a full hearing. If the petition shows immediate danger, the court can issue a temporary ex parte order the same day. A full hearing — where both sides present evidence — is typically held within about 7–10 days, and the court may then issue a protection order for up to five years. Magistrate Helen Rowlands handles civil protection orders in the General Division.
• Paper-filing exception and service. CPOs are a paper-filing exception to Clinton County's mandatory e-filing, accepted 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. under DR Local Rule 7.01. The Clinton County Sheriff's Office, (937) 382-1611, serves the order and indexes it for law-enforcement enforcement. The protection-order track is separate from any divorce or custody case but can run alongside one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a filing fee for a protection order in Clinton County?

No. Under R.C. 3113.31 there is no filing fee for a civil protection order petitioner. Petitions are filed with the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas (CPOs are a paper-filing exception to mandatory e-filing), and the Clinton County Sheriff's Office — (937) 382-1611 — serves and indexes the order. The Alternatives to Violence Center in Wilmington (24-hour Crisis Line 1-888-816-1146) can help.

How fast can I get a protection order in Clinton County, and how long does it last?

CPO petitions are accepted during filing hours of 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (after 2:00 p.m. may be processed the next business day; ex parte petitioner available until 4:00 p.m. — DR Local Rule 7.01). If the petition shows immediate danger, the court can issue a same-day ex parte order. A full hearing is held within roughly 7–10 days, where both sides present evidence, and a final protection order can last up to five years (renewable). Magistrate Helen Rowlands handles civil protection orders in the General Division.

Do I have to e-file in Clinton County?

Yes. Clinton County has required mandatory e-filing for all Common Pleas filings since January 1, 2024. File through efile.henschen.com. You will set up an account, upload your PDFs, and pay the filing fee online.

Free Local Resources in Clinton County

• Clinton County Clerk of Courts. 46 South South Street, Wilmington, OH 45177. Phone (937) 382-2316. E-filing through efile.henschen.com.
• Clinton County DR Local Rules (with form appendices). clintoncountycourts.org — DR forms are appendices to the local rules document.
• Ohio Supreme Court Standardized Forms. Used for the complaint, affidavits, decree, parenting plans, and motions. Available at supremecourt.ohio.gov.
• Ohio Child Support Calculator. ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov — run the worksheet and print it for filing.
• Clinton County Law Library. 46 South South Street, Wilmington — (937) 382-2428.
• Alternatives to Violence Center (Clinton County). 94 N. South Street, 3rd Floor, Suite D, Wilmington — Office (937) 383-3285 · 24-hour Crisis Line 1-888-816-1146.
• Ohio Legal Help. ohiolegalhelp.org — plain-language guides and form walkthroughs.

Other Family-Law Topics in Clinton County

• Clinton County Dissolution — $300 without children / $400 with — mandatory e-filing.
• Clinton County Divorce — Ohio SC standardized forms plus the local Case Designation and Personal Identifier forms.
• Clinton County Legal Separation — Same forms as divorce — marriage stays legally intact at the end.
• Clinton County Annulment — Limited grounds under R.C. 3105.31 — treats the marriage as if it never happened.
• Clinton County Post-Decree Modifications — Change child support, custody, or parenting time after the decree.
• Clinton County Post-Decree Contempt — Enforce an order the other party is violating.

Related to your cpo case

• Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
• Divorce & Dissolution — End your marriage through a contested divorce or an amicable dissolution.
• Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.

Keep exploring

• Ohio Civil Protection Orders guide — Statewide overview of civil protection orders in Ohio.
• Dayton family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Dayton metro.
• Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Family Law Attorney at Gavvl Law.
• Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.