Protection Orders in Jefferson County

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

Jefferson County, Ohio · Steubenville

A civil protection order is a court order that tells someone to stay away from you and stop threatening or contacting you. In Jefferson County, a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order against a family or household member is filed in the Domestic Division; civil-stalking and dating-violence orders are available when the other person is not a family or household member. There is no filing fee for the petitioner.

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

File a petition with the Jefferson County Clerk of Courts — a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order if the other person is a family or household member (R.C. 3113.31), a Dating Violence order if you're in a dating relationship, or a Civil Stalking Protection Order otherwise (R.C. 2903.214). There is no filing fee for the petitioner. If there is immediate danger, the court can issue a temporary ex parte order the same day; a full hearing is then set within about 7 to 10 court days, where both sides are heard before a longer-term order issues (a final DVCPO can last up to five years).

Where to File: Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas, General Division — Domestic Division

301 Market Street, Steubenville, OH 43952
Phone: (740) 283-8583
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the Clerk to confirm current hours)
Website: jeffersoncountyoh.com/court/common-pleas

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Jefferson County Juvenile Court
Jefferson County Justice Center, 12001 State Route 7, Steubenville, OH 43952
Phone: (740) 283-8557
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the court to confirm current hours)

Civil Protection Orders is the right path if…

Someone has hurt you, threatened you, or made you fear for your safety.
You need the court to order that person to stay away and stop contacting you.
You can identify whether the person is a family/household member, a dating partner, or neither.
You can describe the most recent incidents and any pattern of conduct for the petition.

Filing Fees

No filing fee for the petitioner on a DVCPO, dating-violence, or civil-stalking order · the court can issue an ex parte order the same day in an emergency and sets a full hearing within about 7–10 court days · a final DVCPO can last up to five years (R.C. 3113.31).

Forms & Filing Packets

Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order — No filing fee for the petitioner (R.C. 3113.31)

For a family or household member (R.C. 3113.31). File the DVCPO petition with the Clerk; the Domestic Division can issue an ex parte order the same day in an emergency and set a full hearing.

Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order Packet (Jefferson County Clerk of Courts) — The petition, ex parte order, and full-hearing forms for a DVCPO against a family or household member (R.C. 3113.31). No filing fee for the petitioner.
Types of Protection Orders (Jefferson County Clerk of Courts) — The Clerk's overview of which protection order fits your situation — domestic violence, dating violence, or civil stalking — and where each is filed.

Dating Violence Civil Protection Order — No filing fee for the petitioner

For a petitioner in a dating relationship who is not a family or household member. File the dating-violence packet with the Clerk.

Dating Violence Civil Protection Order Packet (Jefferson County Clerk of Courts) — The protection-order packet for a petitioner in a dating relationship who is not a family or household member.
Types of Protection Orders (Jefferson County Clerk of Courts) — The Clerk's overview of which protection order fits your situation — domestic violence, dating violence, or civil stalking — and where each is filed.

Civil Stalking Protection Order — No filing fee for the petitioner

For menacing by stalking or a sexually oriented offense when the respondent is not a family or household member (R.C. 2903.214).

Civil Stalking Protection Order Packet (Jefferson County Clerk of Courts) — The petition for a Civil Stalking or Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order (R.C. 2903.214) when the respondent is not a family or household member.
Types of Protection Orders (Jefferson County Clerk of Courts) — The Clerk's overview of which protection order fits your situation — domestic violence, dating violence, or civil stalking — and where each is filed.

Modify, dismiss, or enforce an existing order

Either party can move to modify or dismiss a protection order, and the petitioner can move for contempt if the respondent violates it.

Motion to Modify or Dismiss a Protection Order (Jefferson County Clerk of Courts) — Used by either party to ask the court to change or end an existing protection order; the court sets a hearing before ruling.
Motion for Contempt of a Protection Order (Jefferson County Clerk of Courts) — Asks the court to hold the respondent in contempt for violating the terms of a protection order.

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Jefferson County

Choose the right petition. Use the Clerk's 'Types of Protection Orders' guide to pick a DVCPO (family/household member), dating-violence, or civil-stalking petition.
File with the Clerk — no fee. File the petition with the Jefferson County Clerk of Courts at 301 Market Street, Steubenville. There is no filing fee for the petitioner.
Ask for an ex parte order if in danger. If there is immediate danger, ask for a temporary ex parte order, which the court can issue the same day (R.C. 3113.31).
Attend the full hearing. A full hearing is set within about 7 to 10 court days; bring evidence and witnesses. A final order can last up to five years.

Jefferson County Practice Notes

No filing fee for the petitioner. There is no filing fee for the petitioner on a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (R.C. 3113.31); the same no-fee filing applies to dating-violence and civil-stalking petitions. You do not need a lawyer to file, though representation helps at the full hearing.
Pick the right order for the relationship. A DVCPO is for a family or household member; a dating-violence order is for a dating relationship; a civil-stalking order (R.C. 2903.214) is for everyone else. The Clerk's 'Types of Protection Orders' guide helps you choose, and filing the wrong type can delay protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it cost anything to file for a protection order in Jefferson County?: No — there is no filing fee for the petitioner in a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (R.C. 3113.31), and the same no-fee filing applies to dating-violence and civil-stalking petitions. You file with the Jefferson County Clerk of Courts; you do not need a lawyer to file.
Where do I file for a protection order in Jefferson County?: File with the Jefferson County Clerk of Courts at 301 Market Street, Steubenville. A Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order against a family or household member is heard in the Domestic Division. Use the Clerk's 'Types of Protection Orders' guide to choose between a DVCPO, a dating-violence order, and a civil-stalking order.
How fast can I get a protection order in Jefferson County?: If there is immediate danger, the court can issue a temporary ex parte order the same day. A full hearing — where both sides are heard before a longer-term order issues — is generally set within about 7 to 10 court days of an ex parte order, and a final order can last up to five years (R.C. 3113.31).
Is mediation available — and is it used for protection orders — in Jefferson County?: The Jefferson County Juvenile Court runs a Mediation Program (Juvenile Local Rule 17) that can reach parenting matters, and mediators screen for domestic violence. The Domestic Division does not have a standing mediation program — instead, counsel must meet and confer to attempt settlement before trial. Mediation is never used to adjudicate domestic violence or to grant, modify, or set the terms of a protection order. Confirm the current process with the Court before relying on it.

Free Local Resources in Jefferson County

Jefferson County Clerk of Courts (Andrew Plesich). 301 Market Street, Steubenville, OH 43952; (740) 283-8583. Hosts the Domestic Forms page (jeffersoncountyohcoc.com/domestic-forms) with the divorce, dissolution, fee-waiver, and protection-order packets, and confirms current deposits. Accepts cash, money order, or online card/debit — not personal checks. E-filing is under construction.
Jefferson County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Under Jefferson County Job & Family Services, 125 South Fifth Street, Steubenville, OH 43952; (740) 282-0961 (jcdjfs.com). Opens IV-D cases, sets and collects support by wage withholding (2% processing fee), and can establish paternity administratively.
Jefferson County Juvenile Court. Jefferson County Justice Center, 12001 State Route 7, Steubenville, OH 43952; (740) 283-8557 (jeffersoncountyprobatejuvenile.com/juvenile-court). Hears never-married parentage and custody, non-parent custody, and parenting time; publishes the Local Parenting Time Guidelines.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov — run the 2024 Income Shares worksheet yourself before filing so you know the likely support amount.

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.
Akron family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Akron metro.
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