Superior Court Clerk

Domestic Violence Assistance

Washington Forms Online provides Instructions and Interactive Help to file for a Domestic Violence Protection Order.  For assistance please use the link below:
Forms are also provided at the Clerk’s Office.
https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/resource/domestic-violence-forms-online

 

Who Can be Protected?

If you or your children are victims of "domestic violence" by a "family or household member", you can apply for an Order for Protection. This section identifies domestic violence and commonly asked questions.

Domestic Violence Includes:

  • Physical harm, bodily injury, or assault
  • Fear of physical harm, bodily injury, or assault
  • Sexual assault
  • Stalking

Family or Household Member Includes:

  • Spouse or former spouse
  • Persons having a child in common
  • Adult persons related by blood or marriage
  • Adult persons who presently (or in the past) reside together
  • Persons 16 years and older who have or had a dating relationship
  • Persons who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship including stepparents and stepchildren or grandparents and grandchildren

What is an Order for Protection?

  • An Order for Protection is a civil order that restrains the person who has been committing acts of violence from further acts of assault or threat.

An Order for Protection CAN:

  • Restrain him or her from committing acts of domestic violence.
  • Exclude him or her from your residence.
  • Prohibit him or her from harassment and/or contacting you on the street, by mail, by telephone, at school, or at work.
  • Award temporary custody to one parent, establish temporary visitation, and restrain one parent from interfering with custody.
  • Order one or both parties to participate in treatment or counseling.
  • Prohibit the removal of the children from the jurisdiction of the court.
  • Award temporary use of shared vehicle and possession of essential personal effects.

An Order for Protection CANNOT:

  • Order child support, maintenance income, or assign property to either party.
  • Establish permanent child custody or use of family home.

How Do I Get an Order for Protection?

The forms are free at the Chelan County Clerk's Office. You will complete the forms petitioning the court for a Temporary Order for Protection. You will be asked to describe the most recent incident and/or threat of domestic violence and a history of domestic violence. A Judge or Commissioner will review your paperwork, may ask you some questions, and decide whether to grant or deny a temporary order.

A second hearing will be held in approximately two weeks to grant or deny an Order for Protection effective for one year or more. During these two weeks, the respondent is served with both the Petition and the Temporary Order with notice of the date set for the hearing. You must attend this hearing even if the respondent has not been served. Security officers are available at the courthouse if you believe the possibility of danger exists.

What You Can Do to Help Yourself:

  • Learn about domestic violence
  • Seek support of caring persons who understand this very real problem
  • Call 911 for emergency purposes
  • Seek medical attention, if needed, as soon as possible
  • Ask for information on legal rights
  • Work out a plan to protect yourself and your children that includes:
    • Emergency arrangements for safety
    • Escape routes with children
    • A working telephone
    • Access to car keys and important papers
    • Phone number of victim services or a shelter in your area

Help Is Only a Phone Call Away:

Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Center (formerly Phoenix Place) 663-7446.

Anti-harassment Actions:

If the incident does not involve a family or household member as defined above, an Anti-harassment Action may be sought in the District Court in Chelan County.

Unlawful harassment means a knowing and willful course of conduct directed at a specific person which seriously alarms, annoys, or harasses such person and which serves no legitimate or lawful purpose. The course of conduct shall be such as would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress and shall actually cause substantial distress to the petitioner. (Course of conduct means a pattern of conduct composed of a series of acts over a period of time, however short, evidencing a continuity of purpose.) Basically, it has to have happened more than once.

Posted: 01/05/2015 05:14 PM
Last Updated: 10/29/2020 01:35 PM

Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 08
    Apr 2024
    08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

    Small Quantity Generator Collection Event

    Posted by: Solid Waste Management

    Chelan County Public Works on April 8 will host a Small Quantity Generator collection event for small businesses looking to safely dispose of hazardous wastes. Participants MUST pre-register.

    Chelan County Moderate Risk Waste Facility
  • 03
    Apr 2024
    11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Chelan County Civil Service Commission

    Posted by: Human Resources

    The Chelan County Civil Service Commission will be meeting on April 3, 2024.

    Chelan County Commissioners Office, meeting room No. 1
  • 27
    Mar 2024
    07:00 PM - 08:00 PM

    Assessor's Office Community Meeting: Cashmere, South Wenatchee and Malaga

    Posted by: Chelan County Assessor

    Chelan County Assessor Wes Cornelius invites property owners and all interested parties to attend one of four community meetings scheduled this spring throughout the county.

    Wenatchee High School (new commons area)
  • 27
    Mar 2024
    06:00 PM - 08:00 PM

    Planning Commission - March 27, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    400 Douglas Street
  • 20
    Mar 2024
    06:00 PM - 07:00 PM

    Connect with Chelan County: District 1 Meeting

    Posted by: Board Of County Commissioners

    The Chelan County team is coming to a community near you. In March commissioners and a variety of department directors will hold a series of community-led discussions in each of the three districts the commissioners represent.

    Wenatchee High School (new commons area)