Protection Orders in Muskingum County

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

Muskingum County, Ohio · Zanesville

A Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (DVCPO) under R.C. 3113.31 protects you from a family or household member; a Civil Stalking / Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order under R.C. 2903.214 protects you from someone who is not. In Muskingum County both are filed in the Domestic Relations Court, there is no filing fee, and you plan to appear before the Judge for an ex parte hearing the day you file.

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

File a petition in the Domestic Relations Court using the Supreme Court of Ohio protection-order forms — a DVCPO (R.C. 3113.31) against a family or household member, or a Civil Stalking/SOOPO (R.C. 2903.214) against anyone else. There is no filing fee or bond (R.C. 3113.31(K)). Plan to appear before the Judge for an ex parte hearing at the time of filing; a full hearing follows, where the Court may issue a final order lasting up to five years. Transitions offers free advocacy and can attend court with you — (740) 454-3213.

Where to File: Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division

22 N. 5th Street, 2nd Floor
Phone: (740) 455-7190
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Clerk's DR Division files documents 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
Website: www.muskingumcountyoh.gov/Courts/Domestic-Relations/

A protection order fits if…

You have been threatened, harmed, or stalked and need court-ordered protection.
The respondent is a family or household member (DVCPO) or someone outside that category (stalking/SOOPO).
You can describe the most recent incidents and any pattern of conduct in the petition.
You can appear for an ex parte hearing the day you file, with a full hearing to follow.

Filing Fees

No filing fee or bond for a protection-order petitioner (R.C. 3113.31(K)). Filed in the Domestic Relations Court. Transitions provides free advocacy — (740) 454-3213.

Forms & Filing Packets

Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (DVCPO) — No filing fee or bond (R.C. 3113.31(K))

File the DVCPO petition (R.C. 3113.31) against a family or household member. No filing fee. Plan to appear for an ex parte hearing the day you file.

Petition for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (Ohio SC DV forms) — The petition for a DVCPO (R.C. 3113.31) when the respondent is a family or household member. Filed in the Domestic Relations Court. No filing fee.

Civil Stalking / SOOPO — No filing fee for the petitioner

File the Civil Stalking or Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order petition (R.C. 2903.214) when the respondent is not a family or household member.

Petition for Civil Stalking / Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order (Ohio SC forms) — The petition for a Civil Stalking or SOOPO order (R.C. 2903.214) when the respondent is not a family or household member. Filed in the Domestic Relations Court. No filing fee.

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Muskingum County

Choose the right petition. Use the DVCPO forms if the respondent is a family or household member, or the stalking/SOOPO forms if they are not. Both use the Supreme Court of Ohio packet.
Complete the petition. Describe the most recent incidents and any pattern of threats, harm, or stalking. Transitions ((740) 454-3213) can help you prepare and attend court.
File and attend the ex parte hearing. File with the Clerk / Domestic Relations Court (no fee) and plan to appear before the Judge for an ex parte hearing the same day.
Return for the full hearing. Attend the full hearing on the scheduled date, where the Court may issue a final order lasting up to five years.

Muskingum County Practice Notes

Ex parte hearing the day you file. Plan to appear before the Judge for an ex parte hearing at the time of filing the petition. A full hearing is scheduled for a later date where both sides may appear, and the Court may issue a final order lasting up to five years.
No fee, and free advocacy is available. There is no filing fee or bond for a DVCPO petitioner. Transitions provides shelter and free protection-order advocacy and can attend court with you at no charge — (740) 454-3213. Neither the Clerk nor the Court may help complete the forms.
One court hears DV and stalking petitions. Under Local Rule 10.01, the Domestic Relations Court hears domestic-violence, dating-violence, and stalking petitions — you do not file these in a separate municipal or juvenile court.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a domestic-violence protection order cost anything in Muskingum County?: No. A DVCPO petitioner is charged no filing fee or bond (R.C. 3113.31(K)). Petitions are filed in the Domestic Relations Court using the Supreme Court of Ohio protection-order forms.
Will I see a judge the day I file a protection order in Muskingum County?: Plan to appear before the Judge for an ex parte hearing at the time you file the petition. A full hearing is scheduled for a later date, where the Court may issue a final order lasting up to five years.
Where can I get help with a protection order in Muskingum County?: Transitions provides shelter and free protection-order advocacy and can attend court with you, at no charge — (740) 454-3213. Neither the Clerk nor the Court may help complete the forms.
Where do I file a divorce or dissolution in Muskingum County?: In the Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division (Judge Maria N. Kalis), through the Clerk of Courts, DR Division, at 22 N. 5th Street, 2nd Floor, Zanesville — (740) 455-7898. An advance cost deposit is required before filing (Local Rule 1.07).

Free Local Resources in Muskingum County

Muskingum County Clerk of Courts — Domestic Relations Division. Files all DR documents at 22 N. 5th Street, 2nd Floor, Zanesville — (740) 455-7898. An advance cost deposit is required before filing (Local Rule 1.07); a Civil Fee Waiver Affidavit can waive it. Forms are on the Court's Domestic Forms page (tabs 1–66).
Domestic Relations Help Desk (free legal clinic). Free help for income-eligible people with simple custody, divorce, and dissolution cases — 4th Monday monthly, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., at the DR Court, 22 N. 5th Street, 2nd Floor. Preregister with Legal Aid of Southeastern & Central Ohio (LASCO) at (614) 827-0504 (intake (866) 529-6446; seols.org).
Domestic Relations Court Mediation Department. The Court runs an in-house Mediation Department. It can order mediation, accepts voluntary post-decree requests without a motion, and offers mediation before a case is filed — call (740) 455-7190 (Local Rules 3.01–3.09).
Transitions (domestic-violence shelter & CPO advocacy). Provides shelter and free protection-order advocacy and can attend court with you — (740) 454-3213. There is no filing fee for a DVCPO petitioner (R.C. 3113.31(K)).
Co-Parenting Seminar registration. The required 2-hour Co-Parenting Seminar (Local Rule 7.07) is offered online; register by calling the Court at (740) 455-7190. The $10 seminar fee is among the Court's costs — confirm the current cost when registering.

Related to your protection orders case

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