Civil Protection Orders in Hardin County

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

Hardin County, Ohio · Kenton

If you're facing domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, a civil protection order can legally require the other person to stay away. In Hardin County, these petitions are filed with the Domestic Relations Division through the Clerk with no filing fee, and the domestic-violence track allows a same-day ex parte order when there's immediate risk.

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

File the petition that fits your situation — Form 10.01-D (domestic violence, R.C. 3113.31), 10.01-P (dating violence), or 10.03-D (civil stalking / sexually-oriented offense, R.C. 2903.214) — with the Hardin County Domestic Relations Division through the Clerk of Courts, One Courthouse Square, Kenton. There is no filing fee and no deposit. On the domestic-violence track, if the petition shows an immediate risk the court can issue an ex parte (same-day) order, followed by a full hearing for a longer-term order. If you have children with the respondent, attach the Form 10.01-F parenting affidavit. In an emergency, call 911.

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

One Courthouse Square, Suite 210, Kenton, OH 43326
Phone: (419) 674-2233
Hours: Monday–Friday (confirm current hours with the Clerk)
Website: hardincountyjuvenilecourt.com/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Hardin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division (juvenile, parentage & never-married matters)
One Courthouse Square, Suite 210, Kenton, OH 43326
Phone: (419) 674-2233
Hours: Monday–Friday (confirm current hours with the Clerk)

Civil Protection Orders is the right path if…

You've experienced or been threatened with violence, or you're being stalked.
You need the other person legally ordered to stay away and stop contact.
You may need a same-day (ex parte) order because of immediate danger.
You want protection that a court can enforce, separate from any divorce or custody case.

Filing Fees

No filing fee and no deposit for any protection-order petition · domestic-violence track allows a same-day ex parte order when there's immediate risk · in an emergency call 911

Forms & Filing Packets

Domestic violence civil protection order (Form 10.01-D) — No filing fee / no deposit

For a family or household member. File Form 10.01-D (R.C. 3113.31) with no fee; the court can issue an ex parte (same-day) order, then hold a full hearing. Attach Form 10.01-F if you share children.

Petition for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (Form 10.01-D, Hardin County) — Petition for a domestic-violence civil protection order (R.C. 3113.31) against a family or household member. Filed with the Hardin County Domestic Relations Division through the Clerk — no filing fee.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit for Protection Orders (Form 10.01-F, Hardin County) — Attached to a protection-order petition when the parties have minor children together, so the court can address temporary parenting-time and custody terms within the order.

Dating violence civil protection order (Form 10.01-P) — No filing fee / no deposit

For someone you are or were dating. File Form 10.01-P with no fee. Attach Form 10.01-F if you share children.

Petition for Dating Violence Civil Protection Order (Form 10.01-P, Hardin County) — Petition for a dating-violence civil protection order against a person you are or were dating. Filed with the Hardin County Domestic Relations Division through the Clerk — no filing fee.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit for Protection Orders (Form 10.01-F, Hardin County) — Attached to a protection-order petition when the parties have minor children together, so the court can address temporary parenting-time and custody terms within the order.

Civil stalking / SOOPO (Form 10.03-D) — No filing fee / no deposit

For stalking or a sexually-oriented offense with no family or household relationship required. File Form 10.03-D (R.C. 2903.214) with no fee.

Petition for Civil Stalking / Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order (Form 10.03-D, Hardin County) — Petition for a civil stalking or sexually-oriented-offense protection order (R.C. 2903.214) against anyone — no family or household relationship required. Filed through the Clerk — no filing fee.

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Hardin County

Get to safety first. In an emergency, call 911. You can also contact local advocates for help completing the petition.
Choose the right petition. Use Form 10.01-D (domestic violence), 10.01-P (dating violence), or 10.03-D (civil stalking); add Form 10.01-F if you have children with the respondent.
File with no fee. File with the Domestic Relations Division through the Clerk of Courts, One Courthouse Square, Kenton — there is no filing fee or deposit.
Ex parte order and full hearing. On the domestic-violence track, the court can issue a same-day ex parte order when there's immediate risk, then hold a full hearing for a longer-term order.

Hardin County Practice Notes

Protection orders filed with no fee; ex parte same-day on the DV track. A civil protection order (Form 10.01-D domestic violence, 10.01-P dating violence, or 10.03-D civil stalking) is filed with the Hardin County Domestic Relations Division through the Clerk with no filing fee and no deposit. On the domestic-violence track, if the petition shows an immediate risk the court can issue an ex parte (same-day) order, followed by a full hearing for a longer-term order. In an emergency, call 911.
One Domestic Relations Division hears it all. Hardin County has a single Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division (Judge Maria Santo; division created 1/1/2023 under R.C. 2301.03(FF)(1)) at One Courthouse Square, Suite 210, Kenton, (419) 674-2233. The same division hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment AND parentage, never-married custody, and civil protection orders — there is no separate juvenile court. Only adoptions and guardianships go to the separate Probate Court (Judge Steve Christopher).
File through the Clerk of Courts (Suite 310). Petitions and motions are filed through the Hardin County Clerk of Courts, One Courthouse Square, Suite 310, Kenton, (419) 674-2278, https://www.hardincourts.com/CLSite/ (local forms under /CLSite/pdf/). Hardin accepts e-filing through the Henschen portal (efile.henschen.com) and fax filing at (419) 674-2273 for documents of 10 pages or fewer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a protection order in Hardin County, and is there a fee?: File the protection-order petition — Form 10.01-D (domestic violence), 10.01-P (dating violence), or 10.03-D (civil stalking) — with the Hardin County Domestic Relations Division through the Clerk of Courts, One Courthouse Square, Kenton. There is no filing fee and no deposit. On the domestic-violence track, if the petition shows an immediate risk the court can issue an ex parte (same-day) order, followed by a full hearing for a longer-term order. In an emergency, call 911.
Which court handles divorce, custody, and support in Hardin County?: One court hears all of it: the Court of Common Pleas, Hardin County, Domestic Relations Division, One Courthouse Square, Suite 210, Kenton, (419) 674-2233 (Judge Maria Santo). The same Domestic Relations Division hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment for married spouses AND parentage, never-married custody, and civil protection orders — there is no separate juvenile court in Hardin County. Only adoptions and guardianships go to the separate Probate Court (Judge Steve Christopher). Petitions are filed through the Clerk of Courts, Suite 310, (419) 674-2278.
How fast can I get an emergency custody order in Hardin County?: File a written motion for an emergency (ex parte) order supported by a sworn affidavit describing the immediate risk to the child, filed in your pending or new case in the Domestic Relations Division through the Clerk. If the affidavit shows the child is in immediate danger, the court can issue a temporary ex parte order and set a prompt follow-up hearing where both parents are heard. For a child in immediate danger call 911 or report to Hardin County Children Services at (419) 675-1130 (statewide hotline 855-OH-CHILD).
What if I cannot afford the filing deposit in Hardin County?: File an Affidavit of Indigency (poverty affidavit) under Ohio Civil Rule 3(E) asking the court to waive prepayment of the cost deposit. Legal Aid of Western Ohio, (888) 534-1432, can help income-eligible filers, and the Clerk of Courts, (419) 674-2278, can point you to the current indigency form. Confirm requirements with the Clerk before filing.

Free Local Resources in Hardin County

Hardin County Clerk of Courts (record custodian). One Courthouse Square, Suite 310 (3rd floor), Kenton, OH 43326; (419) 674-2278 (fax (419) 674-2273). The Clerk is the record custodian for Common Pleas filings, posts local forms at https://www.hardincourts.com/CLSite/forms.php, and confirms current deposits and copy counts. E-filing is available through https://efile.henschen.com/; fax filings to (419) 674-2273 must be 10 pages or fewer with a compliant cover page. Court costs can be paid online at https://www.hardincourts.com/CLSite/payment.php.
Hardin County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division. One Courthouse Square, Suite 210 (2nd floor), Kenton, OH 43326; (419) 674-2233 (https://hardincountyjuvenilecourt.com/). Created January 1, 2023 (R.C. 2301.03(FF)(1)) and led by Judge Maria Santo, this single Domestic Relations Division hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment AND juvenile, parentage, never-married custody, and civil protection-order cases — there is no separate Juvenile Court in Hardin County.
Hardin County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). 175 W. Franklin St., Suite 200, Kenton, OH 43326; (419) 674-2269. The county IV-D agency establishes, modifies, collects, and enforces child support. Open a IV-D case to set up automatic wage withholding and enforcement.
Hardin County Job & Family Services — Children Services Agency. (419) 675-1130 (after hours (419) 673-1268; or (800) 442-7346). The county children-services agency investigates child abuse, neglect, and dependency. For an emergency call 911; the statewide child-abuse hotline is 855-642-4453 (855-OH-CHILD).
Successful Co-Parenting (parenting-education class). Hardin County's required parenting/co-parenting education is provided through OSU Extension's "Successful Co-Parenting" program — $30 per participant, offered in person and/or online. Registration is required; call (419) 674-2297 for current Hardin County dates before relying on it for a specific case.
Hardin County Probate Court (adoption & guardianship). One Courthouse Square, Suite 200, Kenton, OH 43326; (419) 674-2230. The separate Probate Court — not the Domestic Relations Division — handles stepparent and kinship adoptions ($200, plus $100 for publication if required) and guardianships; the Probate Court requires that you have an attorney for an adoption. It does not handle divorce or custody.
Legal Aid of Western Ohio. (888) 534-1432. Free civil legal help for income-eligible Hardin County residents, including some family-law matters. The Ohio Supreme Court also posts statewide self-help forms for self-represented litigants.

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.
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