Civil Protection Orders in Franklin County

How do I file a Civil Protection Order in Franklin County, Ohio?

File a Petition for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (Supreme Court Form 10.01-D) at the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations, 373 South High Street, Columbus. There is no filing fee for CPO petitions. The court reviews ex parte the same day; if the facts show present and immediate danger, the Judge issues an Ex Parte CPO that is effective immediately upon service. A full hearing is scheduled within 7-10 court days where the respondent can respond. A final CPO can last up to 5 years.

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

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas — Juvenile Branch
399 South Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 525-3902
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Civil Protection Orders is the right path if…

• You and the respondent are family or household members: spouse / ex / co-parent / intimate partner / blood relative / current or former cohabitant.
• The respondent has caused, attempted, or threatened serious physical harm, or committed a stalking, sexual assault, or menacing offense.
• You need immediate court protection — stay-away, no-contact, residence exclusion, temporary custody, or surrender of weapons.
• You can describe specific incidents with dates and details in a sworn petition.

Filing Fees

No filing fee · No-cost legal advocates available through Franklin County Domestic Violence services

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Franklin County

1. Confirm the relationship qualifies under R.C. 3113.31. Spouse, ex, co-parent, intimate partner, blood relative, or current/former cohabitant. If the relationship doesn't qualify, the criminal-court Stalking Protection Order under R.C. 2903.214 may apply instead.
2. Write specific facts in the petition. Dates, locations, what happened, witnesses, prior threats. Attach photos, texts, medical records, police reports — anything that corroborates. Vague allegations get denied ex parte.
3. File at 373 South High Street and request same-day ex parte review. No filing fee. Bring the petition, your ID, and any supporting documents. A Judge (not Magistrate) hears CPO petitions.
4. Wait for service and the full hearing. If ex parte is granted, the respondent is served and the order is in effect immediately. The full hearing follows within 7-10 court days.
5. Attend the full hearing prepared. Bring all witnesses, exhibits, and documentation. The court can issue a final CPO for up to 5 years, dismiss the petition, or enter a Consent Agreement CPO if both parties agree.

Franklin County Practice Notes

• Ex parte criteria. The Judge will grant ex parte relief only on a finding of present and immediate danger of domestic violence. The petition (and any in-person testimony at the ex parte review) must show specific, recent facts.
• Full hearing within 7-10 court days. If the ex parte order is granted, the full hearing is set within 7 court days (10 if a residence exclusion is involved). If denied, you can still go forward to the full hearing — the standard there is preponderance of the evidence.
• Final CPO can last up to 5 years. Final CPOs are issued for a definite period up to 5 years. They are renewable. Violation is a separate criminal offense and can include weapons surrender, no-contact orders, and stay-away from the residence, work, and school.
• Free advocates available. Franklin County DR partners with domestic-violence advocacy services that can help you fill out the petition and prepare for hearings at no cost. Ask the Clerk for the on-site advocate when you file.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the case usually take?

Dissolution: 30-90 days from filing to the final hearing. Uncontested divorce or legal separation: 4-6 months. Contested divorce: 6-18 months depending on temporary-orders activity and the Magistrate's calendar. Paternity: 60-120 days if uncontested, longer if genetic testing or contested allocation is involved. Civil Protection Orders: ex parte order the same day; full hearing within 7-10 days; final order can last up to 5 years.

Is a Civil Protection Order the same as criminal charges?

No. A CPO is civil — it orders the respondent to stay away, surrender weapons, and (when needed) leave the residence, but it is not a criminal conviction. Violating a CPO is a separate criminal offense. You can have both a CPO and pending criminal charges; the cases run in parallel.

Can I e-file in Franklin County?

Yes. Domestic Relations filings go through drj.fccourts.org/efiling — attorneys must e-file unless excepted, and self-represented parties may e-file or file in person at 373 South High Street. The Juvenile Branch at 399 South Front Street accepts in-person filings; some Juvenile filings can be submitted electronically — call (614) 525-3902 to confirm before filing.

Are remote / Zoom hearings available?

Yes — Franklin DR and the Juvenile Branch both offer Zoom and telephonic hearings on motion. Most pretrial conferences, status conferences, and uncontested final hearings can be held remotely if both parties agree and the assigned Magistrate or Judge approves. Civil Protection Order full hearings are usually in person.

Will my case be heard by a Judge or a Magistrate?

Most pretrial conferences, temporary-orders motions, and even contested final hearings in Franklin DR are heard by a Magistrate. The Magistrate issues a Magistrate's Decision; either party then has 14 days to file Objections, which are decided by the assigned Judge. Civil Protection Order full hearings are heard directly by the assigned Judge.

How much does it cost to file in Franklin County DR?

Approximate deposits: divorce or legal separation $300 without children / $350 with children; dissolution $250 without children / $300 with children; annulment $300/$350. Juvenile Branch filings (paternity, never-married custody, child support, modifications) are typically $100-$150. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at 373 South High Street (DR) or 399 South Front Street (Juvenile) before filing.

Free Local Resources in Franklin County

• Franklin County DR Self-Help Resource Center. 373 South High Street. Forms, computer terminals, limited procedural help. Cannot give legal advice. Mon–Fri during court hours.
• Legal Aid Society of Columbus. (614) 241-2001. Income-qualified family law representation and advice clinics across central Ohio.
• Columbus Bar Lawyer Referral Service. (614) 221-0754. Paid 30-minute consultation referrals to vetted Franklin County family-law attorneys.
• Franklin County CSEA (Child Support Enforcement Agency). (614) 525-3275. Opens IV-D cases and collects/distributes child support through wage withholding.
• Franklin County Juvenile Branch Help Center. 399 South Front Street. Procedural help for self-represented filers on never-married custody, paternity, and support cases.

Other Family-Law Topics in Franklin County

• Franklin County Divorce — Full filing guide with forms, fees, and the parenting class.
• Franklin County Dissolution — Cooperative path — both spouses agree first.
• Ohio Child Support Calculator — Run the 2024 Income Shares worksheet yourself.
• Ohio family-law resources — 88-county directory of courts and legal aid.

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.
• Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus 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.