Protective Orders in District of Columbia

Who qualifies for a Civil Protection Order

DC's intrafamily offense law covers people connected through family or household relationships. That includes current and former spouses or domestic partners, and people related by blood, marriage, or adoption. It also covers people who share or shared a household. People with a child in common or a current or former romantic relationship qualify too. Because the statute is built around this family or household connection, a dispute between people without one of these relationships generally falls under DC's separate civil anti-stalking order process instead.

Temporary orders and the full hearing

A petitioner who shows an immediate need for protection can get a Temporary Protection Order the same day, without the respondent present. That order takes effect once served and remains active until the full hearing, where both sides can present evidence. If the judge finds the respondent committed or threatened an intrafamily offense, the judge can issue a CPO. In DC this can last up to one year and can be extended.

Hearing scheduling and intake procedures are set by the DC Superior Court. Confirm the exact hearing date and required paperwork with the Domestic Violence Intake Center when you file.

Filing is free, and where to file

There is no filing fee for a Civil Protection Order petition in DC. Petitions are filed at the DC Superior Court's Domestic Violence Division. It operates a Domestic Violence Intake Center to help petitioners complete and file the paperwork. This is the single entry point for CPO filings across the District.

Firearms provisions

DC law allows a judge to order a respondent to surrender firearms and ammunition while a Civil Protection Order is in effect. Federal law separately prohibits firearm possession for a person subject to certain qualifying domestic violence protective orders. Violating a DC CPO, including a firearms surrender term, is a criminal offense that can lead to arrest.

CPOs and divorce or custody cases

A Civil Protection Order in DC is a separate case from a divorce or custody case. A petitioner does not need a pending family case to request one. The CPO can still set temporary custody and parenting time terms for shared children while it is active. If a divorce or custody case is already open, the DC Superior Court can coordinate the CPO with that case, since both are handled within the same court system.