Civil Protection Orders in Gallia County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green, Esq. · Managing Partner, Gavvl Law · Last updated June 9, 2026

Gallia County, Ohio · Gallipolis

Ohio has three types of civil protection orders, and there is no filing fee for any of them. In Gallia County, a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (DVCPO) and Dating Violence CPO are filed in the Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division (Room 1290), and a Civil Stalking or Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order (CSPO/SOOPO) is filed in the General Division — both at 18 Locust Street in Gallipolis.

How do I file a protection order in Gallia County, Ohio?

There is no filing fee. For domestic violence, file a Petition for a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (Form 10.01-D) under R.C. 3113.31 at the Clerk's office in Room 1290 — available to a current or former spouse, a co-parent, a household member, or a dating partner who lived with you. For stalking or a sexually oriented offense by anyone (including someone with no relationship to you), file a Petition for a Civil Stalking Protection Order (Form 10.03-A) under R.C. 2903.214 in the General Division. Include the Confidential Disclosure of Personal Identifiers (Form 45(D)). The court holds a same-day ex parte hearing; if you're in immediate danger a temporary order issues that day. A full hearing follows within 7–10 days, and a granted order can last up to 5 years.

Where to File: Gallia County Court of Common Pleas, General & Domestic Relations Division

18 Locust Street, Room 1290, Gallipolis, OH 45631, Gallipolis, OH 45631
Phone: (740) 209-1115
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Website: www.galliacountycommonpleascourt.gov/
e-Filing: https://eaccess.gallianet.net/eservices/login.page

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Gallia County Probate / Juvenile Court
18 Locust Street, Room 1293, Gallipolis, OH 45631, Gallipolis, OH 45631
Phone: (740) 446-4612
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Civil Protection Orders is the right path if…

  • You need the respondent to stay away, stop contact, or leave a shared home.
  • There has been domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or a sexually oriented offense.
  • You want protection that can include your children and other named family members.
  • You need an order quickly — a same-day ex parte hearing is available.

Filing Fees

No filing fee for any protection order in Gallia County (DVCPO, dating violence, or civil stalking).

Forms & Filing Packets

Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (DVCPO) — No filing fee — Ohio law prohibits fees for DVCPO petitions

Filed in the Domestic Relations Division (Room 1290) under R.C. 3113.31 by someone related to or living with the respondent — including a dating partner who lived with you. No filing fee.

Civil Stalking / Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order (CSPO/SOOPO) — No filing fee

Filed in the General Division (Room 1290) under R.C. 2903.214 by anyone — including someone with no relationship to the respondent — who alleges a pattern of conduct causing distress (menacing by stalking) or a sexually oriented offense. No filing fee.

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Gallia County

  1. Pick the right order and division. Domestic or dating violence by someone related to or living with you → DVCPO in the Domestic Relations Division (Room 1290). Stalking or a sexually oriented offense by anyone → Civil Stalking Protection Order in the General Division.
  2. Complete the petition. Fill out Form 10.01-D (DVCPO) or Form 10.03-A (stalking), with the affidavit and the Confidential Disclosure of Personal Identifiers (Form 45(D)). Describe specific incidents and dates.
  3. File at the Clerk's office — no fee. File in Room 1290; there is no filing fee for any protection order in Gallia County.
  4. Attend the same-day ex parte hearing. The court hears your side that day and can issue a temporary order immediately if you're in immediate danger.
  5. Return for the full hearing. Within 7–10 days the respondent is served and the court holds a full hearing to decide whether the order continues — up to 5 years if granted.

Gallia County Practice Notes

  • Same-day ex parte, then a full hearing. The Judge or Magistrate hears your side the same day you file. If the court finds you in immediate danger, it issues a temporary ex parte order protecting you, your children, and other named family members. A full hearing follows within 7–10 days, where the respondent is served and can appear and defend.
  • An order can last up to five years. If granted at the full hearing, the order can last up to 5 years and can include no-contact, stay-away, exclusive possession of the home, temporary custody, temporary support, and firearm surrender.
  • Local help is available. Gallia County is served by the Serenity House domestic violence shelter. Call the Gallia County Sheriff's Office at (740) 446-1221 for the current crisis line and shelter referrals, or the Ohio Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-934-9840.

Frequently Asked Questions

What protection orders can I file in Gallia County, and is there a fee?
There is no filing fee for any protection order in Gallia County. A Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (DVCPO, R.C. 3113.31) is filed in the Domestic Relations Division (Room 1290) by someone related to or living with the respondent. A Dating Violence CPO covers dating partners who aren't household members. A Civil Stalking or Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order (CSPO/SOOPO, R.C. 2903.214) is filed in the General Division and is open to anyone, including someone with no relationship to the respondent. All three include a same-day ex parte hearing, a full hearing within 7–10 days, and an order that can last up to 5 years.
Which Gallia County court handles my family law case?
Gallia County splits family law between two separate divisions inside the same building at 18 Locust Street in Gallipolis. The Court of Common Pleas, General & Domestic Relations Division (Room 1290, Judge Margaret Evans) handles cases where the parties are or were married — divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, post-decree motions, and civil protection orders. The Probate/Juvenile Court (Room 1293, Judge Thomas S. Moulton, Jr.) handles never-married parents — custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, and guardianship. Unusually, the same magistrate, Thomas E. Saunders, hears contested matters in both divisions.
How much does it cost to file a family law case in Gallia County?
In the Domestic Relations Division (set by Local Rule 2.03), a divorce, dissolution, or annulment is $500.00 with minor children and $450.00 without. A motion to vacate, revive, change, or modify a judgment — used for post-decree modification and contempt — is $250.00. In the Probate/Juvenile Court, civil cases (custody, support, paternity) and guardianships are $200.00. Domestic violence and stalking protection-order petitions have no filing fee. If you can't afford the deposit, file a Poverty Affidavit with a sworn Affidavit of Income, Expenses, and Financial Disclosure and the Clerk will decide whether you qualify.
What documents does almost every Gallia County family case need?
Two documents are required for nearly every filing. The Personal Identifier Form (required since July 1, 2009) lists Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and account numbers on a separate, non-public form — the Clerk will not accept your filing without it. The Ohio Affidavit of Basic Information, Income & Expenses (Affidavit 1) is mandatory under Local Rule 4.31 in any case involving support, property division, or financial disclosure. When assets and debts must be divided, the Affidavit of Property and Debt (Affidavit 2) is also required.

Free Local Resources in Gallia County

  • Gallia County Clerk of Courts (Domestic Relations). Confirms current DR filing fees, accepts filings in Room 1290, and answers e-filing questions for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and post-decree motions. Call (740) 446-4612 (ext. 1221–1224) or (740) 209-1115 for the court.
  • Gallia County Probate/Juvenile Court — Forms Library. Free Pro Se Motion forms, the IV-D application, relocation, caretaker, and guardianship forms for never-married custody and support cases are posted at jaccess.gallianet.net/forms.php; file in Room 1293 or through Henschen eFile.
  • Gallia County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Gallia County's IV-D agency opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. File the Application for Child Support Services (IV-D) when establishing, modifying, or enforcing support.
  • Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (SEOLS). Free civil legal services for income-eligible Gallia County residents. Call 1-800-686-3668.
  • Domestic violence help (Serenity House & hotlines). Gallia County is served by the Serenity House domestic violence shelter. Call the Gallia County Sheriff's Office at (740) 446-1221 for the current crisis line and shelter referrals, or the Ohio Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-934-9840 (24/7).

Other Family-Law Topics in Gallia County

  • Gallia County Divorce — Contested and default divorce at the DR Division (Room 1290), Forms 12/13 and the financial affidavits.
  • Gallia County Dissolution — The agreed, no-service path to end a marriage — Forms 17, 18, and 19 filed jointly.
  • Gallia County Custody — Married parents file inside a divorce; never-married parents file in the Probate/Juvenile Court (Room 1293).
  • Gallia County Child Support — Open or enforce support through the Gallia County CSEA with the IV-D application and Ohio worksheet.
  • Gallia County Protection Orders — DVCPO and stalking protection orders with no filing fee and a same-day ex parte hearing.

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.

Keep exploring

Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.