Reviewed August 2026
Protective Orders in Washington
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233. Washington consolidated its protection order laws in 2022. Before that, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and antiharassment orders sat in separate statutes. Now they fall under one law: RCW Chapter 7.105, Civil Protection Orders. Some older descriptions of Washington law cite RCW 26.50 for domestic violence protection orders. That statute has been replaced by Chapter 7.105. A petitioner can get an ex parte temporary protection order the same day. The court grants one if it finds serious immediate harm or irreparable injury could result without it. Washington law requires the respondent to surrender firearms as part of that order. A full hearing follows within 14 days of filing. This page covers eligibility, the ex parte process, firearms, and duration.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how protective orders works under Washington law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Washington paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
Get notified when Virdix reaches Washington
We'll send one email, nothing else, the day Washington launches.
One consolidated chapter for all protection order types
RCW 7.105 now governs six order types: domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, antiharassment, vulnerable adult, and extreme risk protection orders. One set of filing, service, and hearing rules applies to all of them. Order-specific relief and duration provisions sit on top of that shared framework. RCW 7.105.050 sets jurisdiction for domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and antiharassment orders. Each order type still has its own eligibility rules, even though the procedure is shared.
The ex parte temporary order and mandatory firearm surrender
Under RCW 7.105.305, the court can grant an ex parte temporary protection order before the respondent is notified. To get one, the petition and evidence must show the respondent engaged in conduct that supports a protection order. They must also show serious immediate harm or irreparable injury could result without immediate action. When issuing the order, the court must consider RCW 9.41.800. It must order the respondent to surrender all firearms, dangerous weapons, and any concealed pistol license, and bar them from possessing, purchasing, or receiving any. An ex parte temporary order runs for up to 14 days at first, extendable for good cause.
The 14-day full hearing rule
Under RCW 7.105.100, timing depends on when you file. File before close of business on a judicial day, and the full hearing must be set within 14 days of that filing date. File after hours or on a nonjudicial day, and the 14-day clock starts on the next judicial day; the court can extend it for good cause. Under RCW 7.105.200, if the respondent does not appear and there is no proof of proper service, the court reissues the temporary order. It then resets the hearing within 14 days of the reissue, or within 30 days if service by mail or publication is authorized.
Duration of a full protection order
Under RCW 7.105.315, a court issuing an order after a full hearing can grant relief for a fixed period or enter a permanent order. Except for antiharassment orders, relief cannot run for less than one year, unless the petitioner specifically asked for a shorter period. If an order restrains the respondent from contacting their own minor children, that restraint caps at one year. There is one exception: an order issued as part of a separate parenting plan case under chapters 26.09, 26.26A, or 26.26B. In that case, the petitioner can renew the order, or pursue a parenting plan case, for longer-term protection involving children.
Hearing priority and procedure
Under RCW 7.105.200, protection order hearings count as special proceedings. The procedures in this chapter override inconsistent general civil court rules. Courts must give ex parte temporary protection order petitions priority over less urgent proceedings. For extreme risk protection order hearings where law enforcement is the petitioner, courts must prioritize scheduling. That reflects the urgency of firearm removal in high-risk situations. Courts may also allow remote participation.
Sources: RCW 7.105.010, Definitions, RCW 7.105.100, Filing - Types of petitions (14-day hearing rule), RCW 7.105.200, Hearings - Procedure, RCW 7.105.305, Ex parte temporary protection orders, RCW 7.105.315, Duration of full protection orders, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Not independently confirmed
- Whether Washington charges a filing fee for a protection order petition; the sections of RCW 7.105 reviewed did not include a fee provision, though Washington has historically waived filing fees for domestic violence protection orders
- Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence's own site listed only the National Domestic Violence Hotline, not a separate state-run number
Protective Orders in Washington: frequently asked questions
What law covers protective orders in Washington?+
RCW Chapter 7.105, Civil Protection Orders. Starting in 2022, it consolidated Washington's separate domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, antiharassment, vulnerable adult, and extreme risk protection order statutes into one chapter.
How do I get an emergency protection order in Washington?+
File a petition showing the respondent engaged in conduct that supports a protection order. It must also show serious immediate harm or irreparable injury could result without immediate action. The court can then grant an ex parte temporary order the same day, before the respondent is notified, for up to 14 days at first.
Does a Washington protection order take away someone's guns?+
Yes, and it is mandatory, not discretionary. Under RCW 9.41.800, referenced in RCW 7.105.305, the court must order the respondent to surrender all firearms, dangerous weapons, and any concealed pistol license as part of an ex parte temporary protection order.
How long until my full hearing in Washington?+
File your petition before close of business on a court day, and the full hearing must be set within 14 days of filing. File after hours or on a non-court day, and the 14-day clock starts the next judicial day.
How long does a Washington protection order last?+
At least one year, unless the petitioner asks for less (antiharassment orders are excepted). The court can also make the order permanent. If the order restrains contact with the respondent's own minor children, that piece caps at one year, unless it's tied to a separate parenting plan case.
Is RCW 26.50 still Washington's domestic violence protection order law?+
No. Since the 2022 consolidation, domestic violence protection orders and related order types fall under RCW Chapter 7.105. Older references to RCW 26.50 reflect the prior law.
This page is general information about protective orders in Washington, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Washington's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Washington. Virdix does not prepare or file Washington divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Washington.
More Washington divorce guides
Virdix currently serves California and Florida
In the states Virdix serves, it guides you through that state's own court forms so your paperwork is complete and consistent before you file. If you're filing in Washington, the resources above are the right place to start, and the form above will tell you the moment Virdix reaches your state.
If the court clerk rejects a document we prepared, we fix it for free until it's accepted. See how the guarantee works