Civil Protection Orders in Stark County

How do I file a protection order in Stark County, Ohio?

File a Petition for an Ex Parte Civil Protection Order with the Clerk's Domestic Relations Division at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 690, Canton, OH 44702 — there is no filing deposit. File the petition, the supporting affidavit, a UCCJEA affidavit if children are involved, the ex parte temporary protection order (original plus copies), and the Form 10-A NCIC notice. The court hears your sworn statement and can issue an ex parte order, followed by a full hearing. Every order is sent to the Stark County Sheriff for NCIC entry (Rule 20). Separate petitions exist for dating-violence and juvenile situations.

Where to File: Stark County Family Court (Domestic Relations & Juvenile Divisions)

Civil Protection Orders is the right path if…

• A family or household member has harmed, threatened, or made you fear imminent harm.
• You need the abuser ordered to stay away, leave the home, or surrender weapons now.
• You want protection that can include temporary custody and support terms.
• The respondent is a spouse, ex, co-parent, intimate partner, relative, or cohabitant.

Filing Fees

No filing deposit (Rule 20) · Ex parte order then a full hearing · Every order entered into NCIC via the Sheriff (Form 10-A)

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Stark County

1. Prepare the petition. Use Stark's Ex Parte Civil Protection Order petition (or the dating-violence version), describing the most recent and most serious incidents.
2. File with the Clerk's DR Division. File the petition, affidavit, ex parte order, and Form 10-A at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 690, Canton. There is no deposit.
3. Get the ex parte order if granted. If issued, the order takes effect once served and is entered into NCIC through the Sheriff.
4. Attend the full hearing. Both parties can testify. The court can issue a final CPO, renewable before it expires.

Stark County Practice Notes

• No deposit, filed with the DR Clerk. A DVCPO takes no filing deposit. File the petition, affidavit, UCCJEA affidavit (if children), the ex parte order with service copies, and the Form 10-A with the Clerk's Domestic Relations Division. In imminent danger, always call 911.
• Petition types and NCIC entry. Stark distributes separate petitions for domestic-violence, dating-violence, and juvenile situations, plus a Form 10-C cover sheet. Every CPO, consent agreement, continuance, or modification needs a Form 10-A, which the Clerk sends to the Stark County Sheriff for NCIC entry (Rule 20.04).
• A CPO is civil, not criminal. A CPO orders protection but is not a criminal conviction. Violating a CPO is a separate crime, and a CPO can run alongside criminal charges. Mediation cannot be used to decide whether to grant a protection order or to set its terms (Rule 21.01(D)).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Civil Protection Order the same as criminal charges?

No. A DVCPO under R.C. 3113.31 is civil — it can order the respondent to stay away, surrender weapons, and leave a shared home, but it is not a criminal conviction. Violating a CPO is a separate criminal offense, and a CPO can run in parallel with criminal charges. In Stark County the Clerk's Domestic Relations Division distributes the CPO petition and instruction packet (Rule 20), there is no filing deposit, and every order is entered into NCIC through the Stark County Sheriff using the Form 10-A notice.

How long does a Stark County case usually take?

Dissolution: the hearing is set about 6 weeks after filing and must occur 30-90 days after filing (Rule 13.02). Uncontested (default) divorce: if no answer, motion, or leave to plead is filed within 28 days after service, the case is uncontested, but no divorce, annulment, or legal separation is heard until 42 days after service (Rule 13.01). Contested divorce: trial roughly 4-12 months without children or 4-18 months with children. A temporary-orders hearing can be set within 1-21 days.

How and where do I file my case in Stark County?

Family Court cases are filed with and maintained by the Stark County Clerk of Courts. The Clerk's Domestic Relations Division — which files divorces, dissolutions, legal separations, annulments, and civil protection orders — is in the Stark County Office Building at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 690 (6th floor), Canton, (330) 451-7792. The main Clerk's office is at 115 Central Plaza North, Suite 101, (330) 451-7801. Attorneys must include their Ohio Supreme Court registration number on every filing (Rule 12).

Is mediation available in Stark County?

Yes. Under Rule 21, the court may order screening and mediation in divorce, annulment, and legal-separation cases, in parental-rights establishment or modification, and in parenting-time-denial contempt; voluntary screening is available without pending litigation. Mediation cannot be used as an alternative to domestic-violence prosecution or to decide whether to grant a protection order, set its terms, or set penalties. Parties attend orientation, then a first session within 20 days; mediation generally lasts no more than 60 days, and any agreement is not binding until approved by counsel and the court. Reach Mediation / Supervised Visitation at (330) 451-7435.

Free Local Resources in Stark County

• Stark County Family Court Help Desk. Free help for self-represented parties completing and reviewing divorce and custody forms, plus questions on court procedure and notary services. Mondays 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., first come first served; check in with the reception bailiff in the lobby, (330) 451-7415. Help Desk attorneys do not represent you or give legal advice.
• Stark County Family Court — Court Filing Forms & Brochures. The court's assembled filing packets for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, custody, support, contempt, and protection orders, hosted in the county Document Center at starkcountyohio.gov. The court notes the forms are a resource only and not a substitute for legal advice.
• Stark County Law Library. Public legal-research help at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 401, Canton, (330) 451-7380, Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Domestic Violence Project, Inc. (DVPI). Shelter, advocacy, and support for those experiencing domestic violence in Stark County. Learn more at dvpi.org.

Other Family-Law Topics in Stark County

• Stark County Divorce — Full filing guide for contested divorce in the Stark County Family Court.
• Stark County Dissolution — Both-parties-agree route — faster and lower-conflict than a divorce.
• Stark County Custody — Married parents file inside divorce; never-married parents file a Juvenile complaint.

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

• 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.