Protection Order Overview

Understanding Washington State Protection Orders (brochure)

Washington State law allows for a person to file a civil case in court asking a judge to grant an order to protect them from another person whose behavior is abusive, threatening, exploitive, or seriously alarming.  The primary purpose of most orders is to order the person the moving party (petitioner) is asking for protection against (respondent) to not contact or harm them.  Unlike all other protections orders, an Extreme Risk Protection Order is not asking for protection of the petitioner, but is to order the respondent to surrender any weapons they may own.

There are six different types of protection orders a person may choose from: 

1) Anti-harassment
2) Domestic Violence
3) Extreme Risk
4) Sexual Assault
5) Stalking
6) Vulnerable Adult

State laws establish who may seek them, who they may protect, who they may restrain, when court hearings will be conducted, and lastly, what costs my be incurred.

As of July 1, 2022 per E2SHB 1320, all protection orders will be filed under one petition, with the exception of the Extreme Risk Protection Order (click to open brochure).

All protection order forms can be found on the Washington State Courts Website. 

Additional information concerning protection orders may also be found at www.washingtonlawhelp.org.

Local Resource Contact Information

Where and how to file your protection order...

As of January 1, 2023, our office will be accepting electronic submissions of completed protection order packets.  Please email them to clerksoffice@klickitatcounty.org.  Or, you can drop them off in person during business hours Monday-Friday.  Our hours are 8am-5pm, with our office being closed from noon-1pm for the lunch hour.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to give us a call.

205 S Columbus Ave., Rm 205
Goldendale, WA 98620
Email.....clerksoffice@klickitatcounty.org
Phone....(509) 773-5744

The different types of Protection Orders and their definitions:

  1. Anti-Harassment 
  2. Domestic Violence
  3. Extreme Risk
  4. Sexual Assault
  5. Vulnerable Adult
  6.  Stalking

Anti-Harassment Protection Order (AHPO) 

RCW 10.14: A person who does not qualify for a domestic violence protection order and who has been seriously alarmed, annoyed or harassed by a conduct which serves no legitimate or lawful purpose.  Parties are generally not married, have not lived together, and have no children in common.

These petitions are generally filed through the District Courts; however, there are certain certain times when the petition should be filed through Superior Court.  Examples are:

  1. The Respondent to the petition is under 18 years of age; 
  2. The action involves title or possession of real property;
  3. A Superior court has exercised or is exercising jurisdiction over a proceeding involving the parties, or; 
  4. The action would have the effect of interfering with a respondent's care, control or custody of the Respondent's minor child.

Anti-Harassment Flow Chart

** $53.00 filing fee; may asked for fee to be waived **