Civil Protection Orders in Noble County, Ohio

Where to File: Noble County Court of Common Pleas — General Division (Clerk of Courts)

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Noble County Court of Common Pleas — Juvenile Division
280 Court House, Caldwell, OH 43724
Phone: (740) 732-5047
Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM; Thu 8:00 AM–12:00 PM

Civil Protection Orders is the right path if…

A Noble County civil protection order fits if…

• You need a court order requiring another person to stay away and stop threatening or harming you.
• The situation involves a family or household member (DVCPO), menacing by stalking (CSPO), or a sexually-oriented offense.
• You want fast, no-cost relief — an ex parte order can issue the same day.
• You may need temporary custody or stay-away terms included in the order.
• You understand a full hearing follows within 7–10 court days after service.

Filing Fees

No filing fee for any civil protection order (R.C. 3113.31; R.C. 2903.214)

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Noble County

1. File your petition. File with the Clerk of Courts in the General Division (350 Court House, Caldwell) using the Ohio Supreme Court standardized protection-order forms. There is no filing fee. If you need temporary custody of a child, include the parenting/UCCJEA affidavit.
2. Ex parte hearing. You testify under oath without the respondent present. If the legal standard is met, the court issues a temporary ex parte protection order — often the same day.
3. Full hearing. After the respondent is served, a full hearing is held within 7–10 court days. Both sides may testify and present evidence; a final order can last up to 5 years. Violating any protection order is a crime.

Noble County Practice Notes

• Filed in the General Division — no fee. Protection orders are filed with the Clerk of Courts in the General Division (not the Juvenile or Probate Division). Ohio law bars charging a petitioner for a DV, dating-violence, stalking, or sexually-oriented-offense civil protection order.
• A CPO is civil and can run alongside a criminal case. A civil protection order is separate from any criminal charge arising from the same events; both can exist at once. Noble County does not publish a dedicated protection-order page — confirm filing hours and any victim-advocate contact with the Clerk at (740) 732-4408.
• Help & safety. The statewide domestic-violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), and Ohio Legal Help (ohiolegalhelp.org) has protection-order guides. Court and Clerk staff cannot give legal advice. In an emergency, call 911.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it cost anything to file for a civil protection order in Noble County?

No. Ohio law bars charging a petitioner to seek a domestic-violence, dating-violence, civil-stalking, or sexually-oriented-offense civil protection order (R.C. 3113.31; R.C. 2903.214). File the petition with the Clerk of Courts in the General Division.

How fast can I get a protection order in Noble County?

An ex parte protection order can often issue the same day after you testify under oath. A full hearing follows within 7–10 court days (after the respondent is served), and a final civil protection order can last up to 5 years.

What if my child is in immediate danger?

For child-safety emergencies, a domestic-violence civil protection order can include temporary custody and stay-away terms on an ex parte basis and can issue the same day, with a full hearing shortly after — file with the Clerk of Courts. Child-safety removals typically proceed through Children Services and the Juvenile Division. In an emergency, call 911.

How do I get an emergency or temporary order during my divorce?

Request temporary custody, parenting time, or support in the complaint or by a motion supported by an affidavit (Civ.R. 75; Local Rule 21.02). For an ex parte order, counsel arranges a personal conference with the judge and presents the file with a proposed entry; the court generally will not award custody ex parte to a party who does not already have physical custody.

Where do I file for divorce in Noble County?

With the Clerk of Courts in the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas at 350 Court House, Caldwell, OH 43724, (740) 732-4408. Per Local Rule 1.01 there is no separate Domestic Relations court — Judge Kelly A. Riddle hears divorce in the General Division. You can e-file at https://efile.henschen.com.

Free Local Resources in Noble County

• Noble County Clerk of Courts (General Division / Domestic Relations). 350 Court House, Caldwell, OH 43724; (740) 732-4408; fax (740) 732-5604; email areiter@noblecountyohio.gov; website https://noblecommonpleas.org/. Accepts divorce, dissolution, legal-separation, annulment, civil-protection-order, and DR post-decree filings, and confirms current deposits. E-filing is available at https://efile.henschen.com. Court staff cannot give legal advice.
• Noble County Juvenile Division. 280 Court House, Caldwell, OH 43724; (740) 732-5047 (Judge Kelly A. Riddle). Handles parentage, custody, parenting time, and support for never-married parents and non-parent (relative) custody. The same Standard Order of Parenting Time used in divorces applies here by default.
• Noble County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). 46049 Marietta Rd., P.O. Box 250, Caldwell, OH 43724. The CSEA establishes, modifies, collects, and enforces child support and can establish paternity administratively (sometimes with genetic testing). Confirm the agency's current direct line with the Clerk or the county before relying on it.
• Parenting / coparenting education. Noble County does not publish a standing parenting-education requirement or an approved program. Because a judge may order a class case-by-case, confirm with the Clerk of Courts at (740) 732-4408 (divorce/dissolution/legal separation) or the Juvenile Court at (740) 732-5047 (unmarried parents) whether a class is required, which program the court accepts, and the deadline to file any certificate.
• Ohio Legal Help & legal aid. Ohio Legal Help (https://www.ohiolegalhelp.org/) has plain-English guides and the Ohio Supreme Court standardized forms for divorce, custody, support, and protection orders. Southeastern Ohio Legal Services serves Noble County for income-eligible residents — confirm the current intake line.

Other Family-Law Topics in Noble County

• Ohio Divorce Overview — How Ohio divorce and dissolution work at a high level.
• Talk to a Family Law Attorney — Connect with an attorney for help with your Noble County case.

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.
• Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Family Law Attorney at Gavvl Law.
• Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.