Civil Protection Orders in Darke County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 11, 2026

Darke County, Ohio · Greenville

A domestic violence civil protection order can require someone to stay away and can set temporary custody and support. In Darke County, a DVCPO is filed in the Court of Common Pleas under R.C. 3113.31, with no filing fee for the petitioner. If you or your children are in danger right now, call 911 — a protection order is a civil court process, not an emergency response.

How do I get a civil protection order in Darke County, Ohio?

File a petition for a domestic violence civil protection order in the Darke County Court of Common Pleas under R.C. 3113.31. There is no filing fee for the petitioner. If you show immediate danger, the court can issue an ex parte order, and a full hearing follows within 7 court days of the ex parte order (within 10 days if no ex parte order is issued). A final order can last up to five years and can cover staying away, temporary custody, support, and firearms. Family or household members can file a DVCPO; dating partners use a Dating Violence CPO. Mediation is never used to decide a protection order. If anyone is in danger now, call 911.

Where to File: Darke County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

Darke County Courthouse, Second Floor, 504 South Broadway, Greenville, OH 45331
Phone: (937) 547-7335
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Website: darkecountycommonpleas.com

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Darke County Probate/Juvenile Court, Juvenile Division
300 Garst Ave, Greenville, OH 45331
Phone: (937) 547-7350
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

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 a court order requiring the other person to stay away.
You may also need temporary custody, support, or a firearms restriction.
You can file in the Darke County Court of Common Pleas (there is no filing fee for the petitioner).

Filing Fees

There is no filing fee for the petitioner on a civil protection order (R.C. 3113.31). A full hearing follows within 7 court days of an ex parte order (within 10 days if none is issued), and a final order can last up to five years. Court fees and deposits change — confirm the current amount with the Darke County Clerk of Courts at (937) 547-7335 (Domestic Relations) or the Probate/Juvenile Court at (937) 547-7350 before filing.

Forms & Filing Packets

Domestic violence civil protection order (DVCPO) — $0 to the petitioner

File the petition in the Court of Common Pleas under R.C. 3113.31. On a showing of immediate danger the court can issue an ex parte order, then hold a full hearing within 7 court days for an order lasting up to five years.

Petition for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (Darke County) — Opens a DVCPO case in the Common Pleas Court under R.C. 3113.31. There is no filing fee for the petitioner. The petition can request that the other person stay away and can include temporary custody and support.

Dating violence civil protection order — $0 to the petitioner

When the person is or was a dating partner rather than a family or household member, file the Dating Violence CPO petition in the Court of Common Pleas. There is no filing fee for the petitioner.

Petition for Dating Violence Civil Protection Order (Darke County) — Used when the person you need protection from is or was a dating partner rather than a family or household member.

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Darke County

Make a safety plan. If you are in danger right now, call 911. A protection order is a civil court process, not an emergency response.
Choose the right petition. Use the DVCPO petition for a family or household member, or the Dating Violence CPO petition for a dating partner.
File in the Court of Common Pleas. File under R.C. 3113.31 with no fee to the petitioner; describe the harm or threats and what protection you need.
Ask for an ex parte order. On a showing of immediate danger, the court can issue an ex parte order the same day.
Attend the full hearing. The full hearing follows within 7 court days of an ex parte order; a final order can last up to five years.

Darke County Practice Notes

No filing fee and a fast hearing timeline. A DVCPO is filed in the Court of Common Pleas under R.C. 3113.31 with no fee to the petitioner. After an ex parte order, the full hearing is held within 7 court days (within 10 days if no ex parte order issues).
A final order can last up to five years. A final protection order can last up to five years and can cover staying away, temporary custody, support, and firearms restrictions.
Mediation is never used for protection orders. Mediation, counseling, or conciliation is never used to decide a domestic-violence case or a protection order. If anyone is in danger now, call 911 — a protection order is a civil process, not an emergency response.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a civil protection order in Darke County?: File a petition in the Court of Common Pleas under R.C. 3113.31; there is no filing fee for the petitioner. On a showing of immediate danger the court can issue an ex parte order, and a full hearing follows within 7 court days of the ex parte order (within 10 days if none is issued). A final order can last up to five years and can cover staying away, temporary custody, support, and firearms. If you are in danger now, call 911.
Can I get an emergency (ex parte) custody order the day I file in Darke County?: Sometimes, but Darke County generally disfavors disruptive ex parte child orders and prefers the status quo. You need detailed affidavits describing past and current caretakers, and contested requests are usually set for hearing. If both parties have counsel, ex parte relief (other than mutual asset restraints) is generally not appropriate. For domestic violence, a civil protection order is the better tool.
Is mediation required in Darke County?: No. Darke County's Domestic Relations Division does not require mediation (DR Local Rule 5(V)). A judge or magistrate can still encourage or order mediation in a particular case, but mediation is never used for a domestic-violence case or to decide a protection order.
Does Darke County have a separate divorce (Domestic Relations) court?: No. Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and domestic violence protection orders are heard by the Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas before Judge Travis L. Fliehman, with filings at the Darke County Clerk of Courts, 504 South Broadway, Greenville, (937) 547-7335. Never-married parentage, custody, parenting time, support, and non-parent custody are heard in the Probate/Juvenile Court before Judge Jason R. Aslinger, 300 Garst Ave, Greenville, (937) 547-7350.
How do I report suspected child abuse in Darke County?: Call Darke County JFS Child Protective Services at (937) 548-4132 Option 5; after hours, call (937) 548-2020. You can also use the statewide hotline at 1-855-642-4453. In an emergency, call 911. Abuse, neglect, and dependency cases are heard in the Juvenile Division.

Free Local Resources in Darke County

Darke County Clerk of Courts (Domestic Relations). Current filing fees, deposits, and case filing for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and post-decree matters. File at the Darke County Courthouse, Second Floor, 504 South Broadway, Greenville; Clerk Cindy Pike, (937) 547-7335. The yellow Questionnaire is required with every DR complaint. Local court rules are at https://darkecountycommonpleas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Local-Rules-effective-February-1-2026.pdf and downloadable DR forms are at https://darkecountycommonpleas.com/court-forms/.
Darke County Probate/Juvenile Court. Handles never-married-parent parentage, custody, parenting time, and support, plus non-parent custody, abuse/neglect/dependency, and adoption. 300 Garst Ave, Greenville; Juvenile (937) 547-7350, Probate (937) 547-7345; Judge Jason R. Aslinger presides. Self-help forms and the Pro-Se Filing Packet are at https://www.darkeprobatejuvenile.org/juvForms.php.
Darke County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Opens IV-D cases, sets support under Ohio's guidelines, collects by income withholding, pays through the state, and can review or enforce existing orders. 631 Wagner Ave, Greenville; (937) 548-4132 option 4 or (800) 501-5635.
Darke County Children Services (report child abuse). To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call Darke County JFS Child Protective Services at (937) 548-4132 Option 5; after hours (937) 548-2020; statewide hotline 1-855-642-4453. In an emergency, call 911.
Parenting seminar — "Helping Children Succeed After Divorce" (OSU Extension). The court-approved parenting seminar required in DR cases with minor children (DR Local Rule 7(G)); about $45 per person. Register at https://scponline.osu.edu/.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares child-support worksheet at https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/ before any case that sets or changes support.

Related to your protection orders 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.

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on protection orders and related Ohio family law topics.

Civil Protection Orders in Ohio: How to Get a CPO — An Ohio civil protection order can provide fast, court-ordered protection from domestic violence — including no-contact terms, exclusive home use, and temporary custody. Here's how to get one.
Emergency Custody in Ohio: When and How to Get an Ex Parte Order — When a child faces immediate danger, Ohio courts can grant emergency custody on short notice through an ex parte order. Here's what qualifies and what happens next.

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.
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