Protection Orders in Union County

Where to File: Union County Court of Common Pleas - Domestic Relations Division

Civil Protection Orders is the right path if…

• A family or household member has harmed, threatened, or stalked you or your children.
• You need a court order requiring the other person to stay away or have no contact.
• You may also need temporary custody, support, or use of the home.
• You want protection that can last up to five years.

Filing Fees

No filing fee to the petitioner · same-day ex parte order available · full hearing within 7–10 days · final order up to five years · heard by a Magistrate under R.C. 3113.31 · mediation is never used for a protection order

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Union County

1. If you are in danger now, call 911. A protection order is a civil court process, not an emergency response. For immediate danger, call 911.
2. Prepare the petition. Complete the Petition for a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (Form 10.01-D) describing the abuse or threats and what protection you need.
3. File at the Court of Common Pleas. File with the Clerk — there is no filing fee to the petitioner.
4. Seek the same-day ex parte order. A judge or magistrate can issue a same-day ex parte order when there is immediate danger.
5. Attend the full hearing. A Magistrate holds the full hearing within 7–10 days; a final order under R.C. 3113.31 can last up to five years.

Union County Practice Notes

• No fee and a same-day ex parte order. There is no filing fee for a DVCPO petitioner in Union County. A judge or magistrate can issue a same-day ex parte order when there is an immediate danger, before the full hearing.
• Heard by a Magistrate in the Court of Common Pleas. DVCPO petitions are heard in the Union County Court of Common Pleas, and a Magistrate can issue the order under R.C. 3113.31. A full hearing follows, usually within 7 to 10 days, and a final order can last up to five years.
• Mediation is never used for protection orders. Union County's Mediation Department handles many family disputes, but a protection order is never mediated. The order can require no contact, use of the home, temporary custody and support, and even transfer of a shared cell-phone number.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a domestic violence protection order in Union County?

File a Petition for a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order in the Union County Court of Common Pleas. There is no filing fee to the petitioner. A judge or magistrate can issue a same-day ex parte order when there is immediate danger, and a Magistrate holds a full hearing within 7–10 days. A final order under R.C. 3113.31 can last up to five years and can order no contact, use of the home, and temporary custody and support. If you are in danger right now, call 911.

Does Union County offer mediation, and what does it cost?

Yes. Union County has a Mediation Department, and cases with children often mediate early, before the temporary-orders hearing. The court fee covers an initial session, and added sessions cost $160 each. Mediation is never used for a protection order.

How does Union County decide temporary orders during a divorce?

Union holds a hearing on every motion for temporary orders — it does not decide them on the affidavits alone. In cases with children, the court usually sends parents to an initial mediation session before that hearing. A motion for exclusive use of the home is never granted without the other side first being heard. Because the court holds hearings on temporary motions, the divorce case is not the fast path for an emergency — for immediate protection use a domestic violence protection order.

Free Local Resources in Union County

• Union County Clerk of Courts. Provides current filing fees, local forms, and filing instructions for custody, divorce, and dissolution cases. Call (937) 645-3015 or visit https://www.unioncountyohio.gov/departments/CommonPleasCourt before filing to confirm deposits and packet requirements.
• Union County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Union County's IV-D agency opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. File a IV-D Application when establishing or modifying support.

Other Family-Law Topics in Union County

• Statewide Custody Overview — How Ohio custody and parenting time work at a high level.
• Talk to a Family Law Attorney — Connect with a Union County custody attorney for help with your 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.
• Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus 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.