Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Washington Restraining Order

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Immediate Restraining Order (Ex Parte) and Hearing Notice

Superior Court of Washington, County of

In re parentage / parenting and support:

Petitioner (person who started this case):

And Respondent/s (other party/parties):

No.

Immediate Restraining Order (Ex Parte) and Hearing Notice

(TPROTSC / ORTSC)

Clerk's action required: 2, 13

1. This Order starts immediately and ends after the hearing listed below.

2. Hearing Notice – The court will consider extending this order and the other requests made by the protected person at a court hearing:

on: at: a.m. p.m.

at:

docket / calendar or judge / commissioner's name

Warning! If you do not go to the hearing, the court may make orders against you without hearing your side.

3. This Order restrains (name):

Warning! You must obey this order or you may be jailed.

• Violation [of sections 6-8] of this order with actual notice of its terms is a criminal offense under Chapter 26.50 RCW and will subject a violator to arrest.

• Violation of any part of this order may result in financial penalties or contempt of court.

• This order is enforceable in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories and tribal lands (18 U.S.C. § 2265).

4. This Order protects (name/s):

and the following children, who are under 18 (if any)

Child's name Age Child's name Age

5. Findings

The court has reviewed the Motion for Immediate Restraining Order, supporting documents, and any other evidence considered on the record, including

The court finds there would be irreparable harm as described in the Motion if this order is not granted.

If hearing date is more than 14 days away – There is good cause to keep this order in effect until the hearing date (which is between 14 and 28 days after this order is issued) because (describe the good cause):

Other findings:

Court orders to the Restrained Person listed in 3:

6. Do not disturb

Does not apply.

The Restrained Person must not disturb the peace of the Protected Person or of any child listed in 4.

7. Stay away

Does not apply.

The Restrained Person must not go onto the grounds of or enter the Protected Person’s home, workplace, or school, and the daycare or school of any child listed in 4.

The Restrained Person must not knowingly go or stay within feet of the Protected Person’s home, workplace, or school, or the daycare or school of any child listed in 4.

8. Do not hurt or threaten

Does not apply.

The Restrained Person must not:

• Assault, harass, stalk or molest the Protected Person or any child listed in 4; or

• Use, try to use, or threaten to use physical force against the Protected Person or children that would reasonably be expected to cause bodily injury.

9. Surrender weapons

Does not apply.

The Restrained Person must follow the Order to Surrender Weapons Issued Without Notice (form All Cases 2-030) signed by the court and filed separately.

Findings – The court finds irreparable injury could result if this order is not issued until the time for response has elapsed.

10. Protect children

must not take the children listed in 4 out of Washington state.

Until the hearing, the children listed in 4 will live with .

Other:

11. Bond

No bond or security is required.

must file a bond or post security. Amount: $ .

12. Other immediate orders

Does not apply.

13. To the Clerk: Provide a copy of this order and the Law Enforcement Information Sheet to the agency listed below within one court day. The law enforcement agency must enter this order into the state’s database.

Name of law enforcement agency where the protected person lives:

Ordered.

Date

Time

Judge or Commissioner

Presented by:

Sign here

Print name (if lawyer, also list WSBA #)

Date

To the Protected Person:

Warning! You must have this order served on the Restrained Person before it can be enforced.

1. Fill out a Law Enforcement Information Sheet (form All Cases 01.0400) and give it to the clerk.

2. You must have this Order, and the paperwork you filed with the court to get this Order, personally served on the Restrained Person by someone 18 or older who is not a party to this case. (Do not serve the Law Enforcement Information Sheet on the Restrained person – it is only for law enforcement.)

3. After serving, the server fills out a Proof of Personal Service (FL All Family 101) and gives it to you. Then:

▪ File the original Proof of Personal Service with the court clerk.

▪ Give a copy of the Proof of Personal Service to the law enforcement agency listed above.

▪ Go to the hearing.

▪ Bring proposed orders to the hearing.

Enter text✕
Prepare your document for signing right on this page
  • 01 Edit the text and complete the fields
  • 02 Click Sign Now and on the next screen add recipients and signature fields in SignNow
  • 03 Start your free trial to sign and send your doc
Sign Now

What a Washington Restraining Order Is and when it applies

A Washington Restraining Order is a court-issued order intended to protect an individual from harassment, stalking, domestic violence, sexual assault, or other threatening conduct. Petitioners file in superior or district court and may request emergency temporary relief (ex parte) before a full hearing. Remedies can include prohibited contact, stay-away directions, child custody or possession limitations, and temporary residence exclusions. Orders remain enforceable when served on the respondent and may be extended or modified at subsequent hearings. Procedures and forms vary by county and by the type of protective order requested.

Why obtaining the correct restraining order matters

A properly completed Washington Restraining Order establishes immediate legal protections, creates enforceable court instructions, and documents threats for later proceedings. Accurate paperwork reduces delays at filing, improves chances of emergency relief, and ensures law enforcement can act on a served order.

Why obtaining the correct restraining order matters

Who typically files and who reads this order

Petitioners, attorneys, advocates, and court clerks are the primary users; law enforcement and social service agencies rely on accurate orders for enforcement and safety plans.

  • Petitioners and survivors making a formal request for protection from threats or violence.
  • Family law and criminal defense attorneys preparing hearing materials and evidence.
  • Court staff and law enforcement charged with serving, enforcing, and entering orders into national databases.

Accurate completion matters for immediate protection, enforceability, and coordination among courts, police, and service providers.

Step-by-step: filing a Washington Restraining Order

Follow these steps to prepare, file, and seek enforcement for a restraining order in Washington state.

  • 01
    Prepare the Petition: Complete the court form describing incidents and requested relief.
  • 02
    File with Court: Submit to the clerk in the appropriate county court.
  • 03
    Request Ex Parte Relief: Ask the judge for temporary protection if immediate danger exists.
  • 04
    Serve the Respondent: Arrange lawful service so the order becomes enforceable.

How the restraining order process typically flows

This high-level flow shows the usual sequence from filing to enforcement and hearing.

  • Filing: Clerk accepts petition and assigns case number.
  • Temporary Order: Judge may issue short-term protection without respondent present.
  • Service: Respondent is served with papers and notice of hearing.
  • Full Hearing: Court holds hearing to grant, modify, or dismiss order.

Configuring a digital workflow for restraining order documents

Set up an e-filing and signature workflow to standardize petitions, evidence uploads, and clerk routing across cases.

Field Configuration
Petition Template Pre-fill common fields and conditional sections.
Evidence Upload Allow multiple file types with secure storage.
Signature Capture Enable signer authentication and audit trail.
Routing Rules Automatically route to clerk and assigned judge.

Technical needs for eSubmission and secure sharing

Use a platform that supports PDF form fields, strong authentication, and an auditable signing record when eSubmitting restraining orders.

  • File formats: PDF and DOCX supported.
  • Authentication: Email or SMS code options.
  • Audit trail: IP, timestamp, and action log.

Ensure the chosen provider can export court-ready PDFs and retain records to meet legal and agency retention requirements.

Key elements to include in a professional restraining order petition

A complete petition combines factual detail, precise requests for relief, supporting evidence, and correct procedural data to maximize enforceability and reduce processing delays.

Case Caption

Court name, case number, and party names should match official records exactly to avoid jurisdictional objections and ensure proper assignment.

Detailed Allegations

Chronological, specific descriptions of incidents including dates, times, and locations help judges assess risk and justify emergency relief.

Specific Relief

State the exact prohibitions requested (no contact, stay-away distances, surrender of firearms) so enforcement is clear and actionable.

Supporting Evidence

Attach police reports, medical records, witness statements, or photos with labeling and date stamps to corroborate claims.

Service Instructions

Provide known addresses and contact information for the respondent to facilitate lawful service and avoid delays.

Judge and Hearing Info

Include requested hearing preferences and availability if allowed by local court procedures to expedite scheduling.

Data and document items required on the petition

Petitioner ID: Full legal name
Respondent ID: Full legal name
Incident Date: MM/DD/YYYY
Relief Type: No contact/child custody
Service Address: Physical address
Signature: Signed and dated

Consequences of incomplete or incorrect petitions

Delayed Protection: Clerk rejects or delays filing
Failed Service: Respondent not properly notified
Order Not Enforceable: Law enforcement may decline enforcement
Perjury Risk: False statements may lead to charges
Missed Hearing: Relief may be denied without appearance
Evidence Issues: Unverified attachments may be excluded

Common mistakes that slow restraining order processing

  • Incomplete respondent details: missing aliases, incorrect addresses, or outdated contact info make lawful service difficult and can postpone a hearing.
  • Vague incident descriptions: broad statements without dates, places, or witnesses make it harder for a judge to grant emergency relief.
  • Improperly labeled evidence: uncaptioned photos or undocumented medical records can be excluded or given less weight at hearing.
  • Unsigned or undated petitions: clerks often require signed, dated filings; unsigned documents risk rejection and lost time.

Typical timing expectations and deadlines

Exact timelines depend on the county court and case type. Below are common time-related expectations to prepare for immediate and follow-up steps.

Emergency relief availability:

Temporary ex parte orders may be issued immediately upon filing if danger is shown.

Hearing scheduling:

Clerk sets a full hearing; timing varies by local docket and urgency.

Service timeframe:

Respondent must be served before the hearing unless court rules allow substituted service.

Order duration:

Initial orders vary in length; final orders can be time-limited or permanent per statute.

Modification requests:

Either party may request modification or extension at a later court date.

Key milestones from filing to final disposition

A sequential view of core stages helps track progress through filing, service, and adjudication.

01

File Petition

Clerk assigns case number and accepts initial forms.

02

Judge Review

Judge considers ex parte relief based on the petition.

03

Service Completed

Respondent receives documents according to court rules.

04

Final Hearing

Judge issues, modifies, or dismisses the restraining order.

eSignature vendor pricing and feature snapshot (vendor-first ordering)

Compare basic pricing and commonly requested features for eSignature vendors; signNow is listed first per table convention.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about Washington Restraining Orders

Answers to common procedural and legal questions that arise when preparing, filing, serving, or enforcing a restraining order in Washington.


Need help? Contact support

Explore Templates

Poland Work Permit Offer Letter Unpaid Internship Offer Letter AWS Offer Letter Wipro Offer Letter Job Offer Letter
be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users
Sign Now
Company
Forms
Pricing
Resources
Knowledge base
Other Products
© 2026 airSlate Inc. All rights reserved.