Civil Protection Orders in Washington County

Where to File: Washington County Court of Common Pleas

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Washington County Juvenile Court
205 Putnam St, Marietta, OH 45750, Marietta, OH 45750
Phone: (740) 373-6623
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM

Civil Protection Orders is the right path if…

• A family or household member has hurt, threatened, or stalked you.
• You need no-contact, stay-away, or residence-exclusion terms now.
• You may need temporary custody or support included in the order.
• You want protection that can last up to five years.

Filing Fees

No filing fee may be charged to the petitioner (R.C. 3113.31(J)) · ex parte petition heard the same day · full hearing within about 7–10 days · final order can last up to five years · the Clerk distributes the forms on request (Local Rule 26)

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Washington County

1. Confirm the right order. A DVCPO covers a family or household member; if the respondent is under 18, the Juvenile Court handles a civil protection order under R.C. 2151.34.
2. Get and complete the petition. Ask the Clerk's Legal Division for the Ohio Supreme Court forms (Local Rule 26) and complete the petition, describing the most recent and most serious incidents.
3. File with the Clerk — no fee. File at 205 Putnam St., Marietta (ext. 2503). There is no filing fee.
4. Attend the same-day ex parte review. The court hears the ex parte petition the same day and can issue an immediate temporary order.
5. Return for the full hearing. A full hearing with notice to the respondent follows within about 7 to 10 days; a final order can last up to five years.

Washington County Practice Notes

• Same-day ex parte review. A Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order is filed with the Clerk's Legal Division (ext. 2503) and heard ex parte the day you file, with a full hearing within about 7 to 10 days. There is never a filing fee for the petitioner (R.C. 3113.31(J)).
• Forms are provided on request. Washington County does not post a local DVCPO packet. Under Local Rule 26 the Clerk distributes the Ohio Supreme Court protection-order forms (Form 10.01-D and related) on request. A juvenile civil protection order (respondent under 18, R.C. 2151.34) is handled by the Juvenile Court clerk, Judy Allen (ext. 2422).
• Court-connected mediation under Local Rule 29.5. The court can refer parenting and visitation disputes to mediation and stay the case up to 90 days. The visitation-mediation deposit is $125 (with a $75 conversion fee if it later becomes a contempt or modification). Mediation may not be used to decide whether to grant, modify, or terminate a protection order.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Same day for the ex parte order. A Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order under R.C. 3113.31 is filed with the Clerk's Legal Division (ext. 2503) and heard ex parte the day you file, with a full hearing within about 7 to 10 days. There is no filing fee (R.C. 3113.31(J)). Washington County does not post a local DVCPO packet — the Clerk distributes the Ohio Supreme Court forms on request (Local Rule 26). A juvenile civil protection order (where the respondent is under 18, R.C. 2151.34) is handled by the Juvenile Court protection-order clerk, Judy Allen (ext. 2422).

Does Washington County have a separate Domestic Relations court?

No. Washington County has no separate Domestic Relations division. Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment are all heard by the General Division of the Washington County Court of Common Pleas, filed through the Clerk of Courts, Legal Division, at 205 Putnam St., Marietta. Two general-division judges — Hon. Nicole Coil (Courtroom A) and Hon. John M. Halliday (Courtroom B) — preside, and Domestic Relations Magistrate Laura Silwani (ext. 2303) hears many domestic matters.

Does Washington County use mediation in custody cases?

Yes. Under Local Rule 29.5 the court can refer parenting and visitation disputes to mediation, and the case may be stayed for up to 90 days while the parents work toward agreement. The visitation-mediation deposit is $125 (with a $75 conversion fee if the matter later becomes a contempt or modification). Mediation may not be used to decide whether to grant, modify, or terminate a protection order.

Where do unmarried parents file for custody, paternity, or support in Washington County?

At the Washington County Juvenile Court, 205 Putnam St., Marietta, before Hon. Timothy A. Williams (Magistrate Kyle Boker). The Juvenile Court keeps its own clerks: the custody clerk is Jill Roach (ext. 2421), and the paternity/support clerk is Morgan McCartney (ext. 2423). Complete the local juvenile packets in blue ink. Grandparent and other non-parent custody requests are always filed here, not in Probate.

Free Local Resources in Washington County

• Washington County Clerk of Courts — Legal Division. Provides current filing fees, local forms, and filing instructions for custody, divorce, and dissolution cases. Call (740) 373-6623, ext. 2503 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM), or visit https://washingtongov.org/269/Common-Pleas-Court---General-Division before filing to confirm deposits and packet requirements.
• Washington County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Washington County's IV-D agency, (740) 373-9324 (4th floor), opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. File a IV-D Application when establishing or modifying support.
• "Successful Co-Parenting" Parenting Class — OSU Extension. The court-approved parenting-education class for parents with minor children, run by OSU Extension–Washington County. Meets the second Monday of each month, 3:00–5:00 p.m., at 1115 Gilman Ave., Marietta; $30 in exact cash; pre-register at (740) 376-7431. File the certificate before the final hearing.

Other Family-Law Topics in Washington County

• Statewide Custody Overview — How Ohio custody and parenting time work at a high level.
• Talk to a Family Law Attorney — Connect with a Washington 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.

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• Ohio Civil Protection Orders guide — Statewide overview of civil protection orders in Ohio.
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