Civil Protection Orders in Morrow County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green, Esq. · Managing Partner, Gavvl Law · Last updated June 8, 2026

Morrow County, Ohio · Mount Gilead

A domestic violence civil protection order (DVCPO) under R.C. 3113.31 can order an abuser to stay away and stop contact. In Morrow County you file at no cost with the Clerk of Courts at 48 East High Street, Mount Gilead, and the Court can issue a same-day ex parte order followed by a full hearing.

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

File a Petition for a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (R.C. 3113.31) with the Morrow County Clerk of Courts at 48 East High Street, Mount Gilead — there is no filing fee to the petitioner. The Court hears your sworn statement and can issue an ex parte order the same day, followed by a full hearing within about 7–10 days where the respondent can appear. A final DVCPO can last up to five years and can include stay-away, no-contact, residence, and temporary custody and support terms. The Morrow County Sheriff, (419) 946-4444, serves the order on the respondent.

Where to File: Morrow County Court of Common Pleas

48 East High Street, Mount Gilead, OH 43338, Mount Gilead, OH 43338
Phone: (419) 947-4515
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Website: morrowcountyohio.gov/government/county_elected_officials/common_pleas_court/about_the_court.php
e-Filing: https://clerkofcourts.morrowcountyohio.gov/eservices/home.page.2

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Morrow County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division
48 East High Street, 3rd Floor, Mount Gilead, OH 43338, Mount Gilead, OH 43338
Phone: (419) 947-5575
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Civil Protection Orders is the right path if…

  • A family or household member has harmed you, threatened you, or made you fear imminent harm.
  • You need an immediate stay-away or no-contact order to be safe.
  • You may also need temporary custody, support, or exclusive use of the home.
  • You can describe the abuse in a sworn petition.

Filing Fees

No filing fee to the petitioner · Same-day ex parte order possible · Full hearing within about 7–10 days · Sheriff serves the respondent

Forms & Filing Packets

DVCPO petition and ex parte order

Filed with the Morrow County Clerk of Courts at no cost. The Court can issue a same-day ex parte order and set a full hearing within about 7–10 days.

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Morrow County

  1. Prepare the petition. Obtain the R.C. 3113.31 DVCPO petition from the Court Forms page or the Clerk and describe the abuse in detail.
  2. File at no cost and request an ex parte order. File with the Morrow County Clerk of Courts at 48 East High Street; the Court can issue a same-day order if you face immediate danger.
  3. Attend the full hearing. Appear at the full hearing within about 7–10 days with your evidence; the Court can issue a final order lasting up to five years.

Morrow County Practice Notes

  • Bring specifics and any evidence. Describe specific incidents — dates, threats, injuries — and bring any texts, photos, or police reports. The clearer the sworn petition, the stronger your ex parte request.
  • A final order can include family terms. Beyond stay-away and no-contact, a DVCPO can grant temporary custody, parenting time, support, and exclusive use of the residence, and can last up to five years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a protection order in Morrow County?
File a Petition for a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (R.C. 3113.31) with the Morrow County Clerk of Courts at 48 East High Street, Mount Gilead — there is no filing fee to the petitioner. The Court hears your sworn statement and can issue an ex parte order the same day, followed by a full hearing within about 7–10 days. The Morrow County Sheriff, (419) 946-4444, serves the order on the respondent.
How much does it cost to file in Morrow County?
Morrow County charges a flat divorce deposit of $400 (the same with or without children) and a flat dissolution deposit of $275. Legal separation and annulment are filed on the divorce-type deposit; protection-order (DVCPO) petitions carry no filing fee to the petitioner. Juvenile and Probate matters are taken on a cash-deposit basis set by the Court. If you cannot afford the deposit, file the Ohio Civil Fee Waiver Affidavit and Order. Pay the Clerk of Courts, Legal Division, Room 6, 48 East High Street, (419) 947-2085.
Can I e-file in Morrow County?
Yes. The Morrow County Clerk of Courts offers e-Filing for General and Domestic Relations cases through the CourtView eServices portal at clerkofcourts.morrowcountyohio.gov, and you can also file in person at the Clerk's Legal Division, Room 6, 48 East High Street, Mount Gilead. The Juvenile/Probate Clerk on the 3rd floor handles juvenile and adoption filings. Court staff cannot give legal advice or help complete forms; if you cannot afford the deposit, file the Civil Fee Waiver Affidavit and Order.

Free Local Resources in Morrow County

  • Morrow County Common Pleas Court Forms. Local checklists, packets, and links to the Ohio uniform forms for divorce, dissolution, custody, support, and protection orders at morrowcountyohio.gov (Common Pleas Court Forms page). Court staff cannot give legal advice or help complete forms.
  • Ohio Child Support Calculator. The state's official 2024 Income Shares worksheet at ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov. Run it, print, and sign it before any hearing that sets or changes support.
  • Seminar for Separating Parents. Morrow County's court-approved parenting education program required under Local Rule 1 for parents of minor children. Most parents complete an approved online class such as Children in Between and file the Certificate of Completion before the final hearing.
  • Morrow County Mediation Department. Court mediation with mediator Kathy Nicolosi at 80 North Walnut Street, Suite F, Mount Gilead, (419) 947-9535, can help parents resolve parenting and other disputes outside a contested hearing.

Other Family-Law Topics in Morrow County

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.