The Ohio Petition for Civil Stalking Protection Order (Supreme Court of Ohio Form 10.01-I, last amended in the most recent revision posted by the Ohio Supreme Court) is a court document that asks a Court of Common Pleas judge to order a stalker, sexual offender, or other respondent to stop contacting, following, threatening, or coming near you. Any person in Ohio who is being stalked under Ohio Revised Code § 2903.214 — or any victim of a sexually oriented offense — can file this petition without a lawyer and without paying a filing fee.
Stalking is more common than most people think. The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that about 3.4 million people experience stalking each year, and Ohio courts process thousands of civil stalking protection orders annually through the Ohio Domestic Violence Program. A poorly written petition is the single biggest reason judges deny ex parte (same-day) protection, so every line on this form matters.
Here is what this guide will walk you through:
- 📄 What the Civil Stalking Protection Order (CSPO) petition is and who can file it
- 🗂️ Every document and detail to gather before opening Form 10.01-I
- ✍️ A line-by-line, box-by-box walkthrough of the petition in plain English
- 👥 Three real-world filer scenarios showing exactly what to write
- ⚖️ How to file, what happens at the ex parte and full hearings, and how to avoid the mistakes that get petitions denied
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Civil Stalking Protection Order petition is a civil court request created under ORC § 2903.214. It allows a victim of menacing by stalking, as defined in ORC § 2903.211, or a victim of a sexually oriented offense, to ask the Court of Common Pleas (General Division) for a civil court order. The order can stop the respondent from contacting the petitioner, force the respondent to stay a set distance away, and require the respondent to give up firearms while the order is active.
This petition is different from a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (DVCPO). A DVCPO covers people who share a family or household relationship, like spouses, partners, parents, children, or roommates. A CSPO covers everyone else — exes who never lived together, neighbors, classmates, coworkers, online stalkers, and total strangers. If the respondent shares a home or family link with you, file Form 10.01-D instead.
Any person of any age can be protected by a CSPO. A parent, guardian, or other adult household member may file on behalf of a minor child or an incompetent adult, as allowed by Sup. R. 10.01. The petition is filed in the county where the petitioner lives, where the respondent lives, or where the stalking happened — petitioners get to choose the most convenient venue.
A CSPO is a civil order, but violating one is a criminal act under ORC § 2919.27. A first violation is a first-degree misdemeanor, and repeat violations escalate to felonies. That criminal backstop is what gives the order real protective force.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Walking into the clerk’s office without your facts in order is the fastest way to lose your ex parte hearing. Spend an hour gathering everything below before you open the form. Pro tip from advocates at the Ohio Domestic Violence Network: keep a single folder, paper or digital, with every item in chronological order.
Here is the pre-filing checklist of things to gather:
- Your full legal name, date of birth, and a safe mailing address. Ohio law lets you keep your home address confidential by filing Form 10.01-H, but you still need some address where the court can mail papers. A P.O. Box, a friend’s address, or a domestic violence shelter address all work. Without a working address, the court cannot send you hearing notices.
- The respondent’s full legal name, aliases, date of birth, and last known address. The sheriff cannot serve a stalker the court cannot find. Missing or wrong address details push hearings back by weeks.
- A written timeline of every stalking incident. Include the date, time, location, what happened, and any witnesses. Judges grant ex parte orders based on a clear, specific pattern of conduct. Vague summaries get denied.
- Screenshots of texts, voicemails, emails, DMs, and social media posts. Print them out with timestamps visible. Digital evidence carries more weight than memory.
- Police reports, 911 call logs, and incident numbers. Call your local department’s records division and ask for certified copies if you can. Even a single report number helps.
- Photos of injuries, property damage, or the respondent’s car parked near you. Date-stamp the photos if your phone allows.
- Names and contact information for witnesses. Coworkers, neighbors, family members, or friends who saw or heard incidents.
- Any prior court orders, custody agreements, or no-contact orders. A prior criminal stalking charge, even one that was dropped, gives the judge useful context.
- A list of places you need protected. Home, work, school, your child’s daycare, your gym, your parents’ home, and any other location the respondent should be barred from.
- Information about firearms. If you know the respondent owns guns, list the type, where they are kept, and any concealed carry license number you have seen.
If anything is missing, file anyway and bring the rest to the full hearing. Judges expect a pro se petitioner to learn as the case moves forward.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official version of the petition is Supreme Court of Ohio Form 10.01-I, posted on the Ohio Supreme Court’s Domestic Violence Program page. Always download the current revision from that page — older copies floating around the internet may be missing the firearms-relinquishment language added in recent amendments.
Most county Courts of Common Pleas also stock paper copies at the clerk’s office or at a victim advocate’s desk inside the courthouse. In larger counties like Franklin, Cuyahoga, Hamilton, and Summit, the clerk’s office has staff who hand the form to filers and point them to a private room where they can fill it out.
A growing number of Ohio counties allow remote filing through victim service organizations. Programs like ACTION Ohio and local rape crisis centers help petitioners complete the form, file it electronically with the court, and even appear at the ex parte hearing by video. Call ahead and ask which option your county uses.
The form is also available in fillable PDF format. You can type your answers directly into the PDF on a computer or phone, then print, sign, and bring it to court. Do not email a signed petition to the clerk unless that county explicitly accepts e-filing for CSPOs — most still require a wet signature.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form 10.01-I Line by Line
The petition runs roughly 8 to 10 pages, depending on the revision. Below is every field, in the order it appears on the form, with the six-element walkthrough advocates use when sitting next to a pro se filer.
Court Caption: County and Case Number
The top of page one asks for the County and a Case Number box. In plain English, this is just telling the court which courthouse and which file the petition belongs to.
To answer it, write the name of the Ohio county where you are filing — usually where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the stalking happened. Leave the case number blank; the clerk stamps it on when you file.
For example, Maria Lopez writes FRANKLIN on the county line and leaves the case number empty.
A common nuance is that some courthouses preprint the county name. If yours does, double-check the spelling matches your other paperwork, especially if a county has been renamed or merged.
The most common mistake here is filling in a case number from a prior unrelated case. That confuses the clerk and can route your petition to the wrong judge.
A misconception is that you must file in the county where the respondent was born or last lived years ago. You don’t — venue is your choice among the three options above.
Petitioner Information (Your Name and Identifiers)
This box asks for your full legal name, date of birth, and contact information. The court needs this to identify you and contact you about hearings.
Write your name exactly as it appears on your driver’s license or state ID, in this format: Last, First, Middle. Use the MM/DD/YYYY format for your date of birth.
For example, Maria Lopez writes Lopez, Maria Elena and 03/14/1991.
A nuance: if you use a different name day-to-day (a chosen name, married name, or former name), list both — for example, Lopez, Maria Elena (also known as Maria Reyes). Stalkers sometimes search court records by old names.
A common mistake is using a nickname only. The order will issue under whatever name you write, and law enforcement may struggle to confirm your identity if you are stopped or need help.
A misconception is that you must put your home address here. You do not — file Form 10.01-H to keep your address confidential and use a safe mailing address on the petition.
Protected Persons (Family or Household Members You Want Covered)
This section asks who else, besides you, needs protection — typically minor children, elderly parents, or roommates the stalker has threatened or contacted.
List each person’s full name, date of birth, and relationship to you, one per line.
For example, Maria writes Lopez, Sofia Elena, 06/22/2018, daughter.
A nuance is that a CSPO can protect anyone the respondent has stalked, not just blood relatives. If a roommate or close friend has been pulled into the harassment, list them.
The most common mistake is leaving children off the petition because the respondent has not directly contacted them yet. Stalkers often escalate to family members; courts will protect children based on credible risk.
A misconception is that a separate petition is needed for each protected person. One petition covers everyone in the same household or social circle who is at risk.
Respondent Information
This box asks for the stalker’s full legal name, date of birth, race, sex, height, weight, eye color, hair color, and address.
Fill in every field you can. The more identifying details, the easier service of process becomes. Use the address where the sheriff can physically find the respondent — home, work, or a known hangout.
For example, Maria Lopez writes Reyes, David James, 11/02/1988, Hispanic male, 5‘10”, 180 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, 482 Mound Street, Columbus, OH 43223.
A nuance is that the respondent’s current address matters more than a legal residence. If you know they are couch-surfing at a friend’s apartment, list that address.
A common mistake is writing only “unknown” across the box. Even a partial physical description and a workplace address help the sheriff make service.
A misconception is that listing the respondent’s information will tip them off. The respondent will only learn about the petition when served with court papers — which is the entire point.
Relationship to the Respondent
This field asks how you know the respondent — ex-dating partner, neighbor, classmate, coworker, online acquaintance, or stranger.
Pick the description that best fits, in plain words. You do not need legal terminology.
For example, Maria writes former boyfriend; we dated for 14 months and never lived together.
A nuance: if you and the respondent share a child but never lived together, you may still qualify for a CSPO rather than a DVCPO. Talk to a victim advocate about which fits.
A common mistake is overstating the relationship to sound more serious. Judges read these petitions carefully; honesty wins credibility.
A misconception is that you have to know the respondent personally. Strangers, online stalkers, and fans qualify too.
Pattern of Conduct (The Heart of the Petition)
This is the largest narrative box on the form, and it is where most petitions are won or lost. The form asks you to describe the pattern of conduct the respondent has engaged in that caused you mental distress or made you fear physical harm.
Write in clear, dated, specific paragraphs. Each incident should answer: When? Where? What did the respondent do? Who saw it? How did it make you feel? Use bullet points or numbered incidents if the form allows.
For example, Maria writes: (1) On 02/14/2026 at approximately 9:15 p.m., David Reyes parked his black Ford F-150 outside my apartment at 1820 Neil Avenue, Columbus. He sat there for two hours flashing his headlights. My neighbor Janet Kim saw him. (2) On 02/15/2026, I received 47 text messages from his number 614-555-0188 between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., screenshots attached as Exhibit A…
A nuance is that Ohio’s stalking statute requires two or more incidents to establish a pattern. One scary event is not enough on its own — keep digging for the second.
The most common mistake on this field is writing something vague like “he keeps harassing me.” A judge cannot grant relief on a sentence that thin. Specifics get orders signed.
A misconception is that you must prove the respondent intended to scare you. Ohio law looks at whether they knowingly engaged in conduct that caused you mental distress — your reaction matters more than their stated intent.
Mental Distress or Fear of Physical Harm
This box asks how the respondent’s conduct affected you. Ohio law defines mental distress in ORC § 2903.211(D)(2) as a condition that involves temporary substantial incapacity or that would normally require mental health services.
Describe sleep loss, panic attacks, missed work, therapy appointments, changes to your routine, weight loss, nightmares, and any diagnoses. Be honest and concrete.
For example, Maria writes: I have not slept more than three hours a night since 02/14/2026. I started seeing a therapist at OSU Counseling on 02/20/2026. I changed my route to work and stopped going to the gym I have used for five years.
A nuance: you do not need a formal mental health diagnosis to qualify. Lay descriptions of distress are enough, but documentation strengthens the case.
A common mistake is downplaying the impact because you “should be tougher.” Judges need to hear the truth to issue protection.
A misconception is that physical injuries are required. They are not — fear, anxiety, and lifestyle disruption are enough under Ohio law.
Firearms (Weapons in the Respondent’s Possession)
This section asks whether the respondent owns, possesses, or has access to firearms or deadly weapons.
Check the appropriate box and describe what you know — make, model, where the gun is kept, any concealed carry license, threats made with the weapon, and prior gun-related incidents.
For example, Maria writes: Yes. David Reyes owns a 9mm Glock 19 he keeps in his bedside table at 482 Mound Street. He showed it to me on 12/10/2025 and said, “This is for anyone who tries to take you from me.” He has an active Ohio CCW.
A nuance: even if you only suspect firearms, say so. Judges can order the respondent to surrender weapons during the protection order under ORC § 2923.13.
A common mistake is leaving this box blank because you are unsure. Blank boxes mean the judge cannot order surrender, and you lose a major safety tool.
A misconception is that surrendering firearms is automatic. It is not — you must request it, and the judge must specifically order it.
Requested Relief (What You Want the Court to Order)
This section is a checklist of orders you want the judge to sign. Common options include: no contact (in person, phone, text, email, social media, or through third parties), stay at least 500 feet away, stay away from your home, work, school, and your children’s school, surrender firearms, and pay the costs of the case.
Check every box that applies and fill in specific addresses where prompted. Do not check options that don’t fit your situation; pick the ones you actually need.
For example, Maria checks: no contact, 500 feet stay-away, stay away from 1820 Neil Avenue (home), 281 W. Lane Avenue (OSU campus office), and Sofia’s daycare at 410 W. 10th Avenue, surrender firearms.
A nuance is that you can ask for relief not pre-printed on the form. Use the “other” box to add things like do not post about me on social media or do not contact my employer.
A common mistake is checking every box without thinking. Asking for irrelevant relief makes the rest of your petition look less credible.
A misconception is that the judge will automatically craft the perfect order. Judges generally grant only what petitioners ask for, so be thorough.
Petitioner’s Signature and Verification
The final page has a signature line, a notary block, and a verification statement that everything in the petition is true under penalty of perjury.
Sign in front of the deputy clerk or notary at the courthouse — do not sign at home. Date the signature with the day you file.
For example, Maria signs Maria Elena Lopez and dates it 03/05/2026.
A nuance is that some counties allow electronic notarization through a victim advocate. Ask before you sign.
A common mistake is signing the petition before reaching the courthouse. An unverified petition can be rejected on the spot.
A misconception is that “penalty of perjury” is just a formality. It is not — false statements can be prosecuted as a felony under ORC § 2921.11.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Maria, a College Student Stalked by an Ex-Boyfriend
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| County | FRANKLIN |
| Petitioner | Lopez, Maria Elena, 03/14/1991, c/o OSU Survivor Advocacy, 1640 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43210 |
| Protected Persons | Lopez, Sofia Elena, 06/22/2018, daughter |
| Respondent | Reyes, David James, 11/02/1988, 482 Mound St., Columbus, OH 43223 |
| Relationship | former boyfriend, dated 14 months, never lived together |
| Pattern of Conduct | 47 texts on 02/15/26; sat outside my apartment 02/14/26; followed me to class 02/19/26; threatened me with handgun 12/10/25 |
| Mental Distress | no sleep, panic attacks, started therapy 02/20/26, changed route to campus |
| Firearms | Yes — Glock 19, kept at home, active Ohio CCW |
| Requested Relief | no contact, 500 ft stay-away, stay away from 1820 Neil Ave., OSU campus, daycare; surrender firearms |
| Signature | Maria Elena Lopez, 03/05/2026 |
Scenario 2: Janet, Targeted by a Stranger from a Dating App
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| County | CUYAHOGA |
| Petitioner | Kim, Janet Soo, 09/08/1985, P.O. Box 4421, Cleveland, OH 44115 |
| Protected Persons | None |
| Respondent | Doe, John (also known as “Jay” on Bumble), approximate age 35, last known address 4120 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113 |
| Relationship | met once on Bumble for coffee 01/12/26; no prior or ongoing relationship |
| Pattern of Conduct | 200+ messages from 14 different burner numbers since 01/13/26; appeared at my office building 02/02/26 and 02/09/26; sent flowers to my mother’s home 02/14/26 |
| Mental Distress | insomnia, missed 6 days of work, prescribed anxiety medication 02/15/26 |
| Firearms | Unknown |
| Requested Relief | no contact, 1,000 ft stay-away, stay away from work at 200 Public Square and mother’s home at 1488 W. 65th St., no third-party contact |
| Signature | Janet Soo Kim, 02/22/2026 |
Scenario 3: Marcus, Stalked by a Former Neighbor
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| County | HAMILTON |
| Petitioner | Wright, Marcus Devon, 07/19/1979, 3400 Reading Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45229 |
| Protected Persons | Wright, Tasha Lynn, 02/04/1981, wife |
| Respondent | Patel, Raymond, 04/30/1962, 3402 Reading Rd., Apt. B, Cincinnati, OH 45229 |
| Relationship | former next-door neighbor for 6 years, no family or dating relationship |
| Pattern of Conduct | yelled threats from his porch on 6 separate dates in January 2026; spray-painted my door 02/01/26 (police report #2026-0034); followed my car 02/14/26 |
| Mental Distress | fear of leaving home, considering selling house, increased blood pressure documented by primary care 02/10/26 |
| Firearms | Yes — saw a shotgun in his living room window |
| Requested Relief | no contact, 500 ft stay-away, stay away from 3400 Reading Rd. and Tasha’s job at Christ Hospital; surrender firearms |
| Signature | Marcus Devon Wright, 02/20/2026 |
A few additional named filers worth knowing: Aisha, a high school teacher being followed by a former student’s parent, files in Summit County and asks for stay-away orders covering Firestone High School. Carlos, a delivery driver harassed by a customer, files in Lucas County and lists every house on his route as a protected location. These cases show how flexible the petition can be when the facts are specific.
How to File the Completed Form
Filing channels vary by county, but every Ohio county offers at least one of the routes below. The filing fee for a CSPO is waived by statute under ORC § 2903.214(F) — you pay nothing to file, serve, or modify the order.
In person at the Court of Common Pleas (General Division). This is the most common route. Walk into the clerk’s office during business hours (typically 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday), hand the petition to the clerk, sign in front of them, and ask for a same-day ex parte hearing. The clerk will route you to the duty judge or magistrate. Keep a file-stamped copy of every page as your proof of filing. There is no fee.
Through a victim advocate. Programs in most counties — like ODVN-affiliated shelters and rape crisis centers — will help you complete the form, walk you to the courthouse, and stay through the ex parte hearing. There is no fee, and many advocates can drive you. Ask for a stamped copy of the petition before you leave.
By mail (rare and slow). Some counties accept petitions mailed to the clerk’s office, but you lose the same-day ex parte option because the clerk has to process the mail before scheduling. Send it certified mail with return receipt, keep the green card as proof, and expect 3 to 7 business days before any hearing is set.
E-filing. A handful of counties, including parts of Franklin and Cuyahoga, allow electronic filing through their official portals. Check your county’s clerk page before trying. Confirmation emails from the e-filing system are your proof of filing. There is no fee, but a wet signature may still be required at the hearing.
After filing, the sheriff’s office serves the respondent at no cost to you. Service must occur before the full hearing — usually within 7 to 10 days. The court will mail or hand you a notice of the full hearing date, which by statute must be held within 10 court days of the ex parte order.
What Happens After You File
Within hours of filing, you will appear before a judge or magistrate for an ex parte hearing. The respondent is not present. You will be sworn in, asked to summarize your petition, and asked any follow-up questions the judge has. If the judge finds reasonable cause that stalking occurred, they will sign a temporary order on the spot under Sup. R. 10.01.
The temporary order is enforceable the moment the respondent is served. Carry a copy with you, give one to your workplace security desk, and provide one to your child’s school. Police will enforce it as soon as the sheriff completes service.
Within 10 court days, you and the respondent both appear at the full hearing. Both sides present testimony, exhibits, and witnesses. If the judge finds by a preponderance of the evidence that stalking occurred, the order is extended for up to 5 years. You can ask for a renewal before it expires.
If the respondent violates the order at any point, call 911 immediately. A violation is a criminal offense under ORC § 2919.27, separate from any new civil case. Document every contact attempt, even ones you ignore.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
These are the errors advocates see most often, each with the consequence that follows:
- Vague pattern of conduct narratives. Judges deny ex parte relief when they cannot picture the events; missing dates or specifics get petitions denied.
- Listing only one incident. Ohio’s stalking statute requires two or more incidents; one event without a clear second leads to dismissal.
- Leaving the respondent’s address blank. The sheriff cannot serve an unfindable respondent, and your hearing gets continued.
- Forgetting the firearms section. Blank firearms boxes mean the judge cannot order weapon surrender, leaving you exposed.
- Skipping the confidential address form. Putting your home address on the public petition gives the stalker your location through court records.
- Asking for irrelevant relief. Checking every available box undermines credibility and signals the petitioner is unsure of their facts.
- Missing the signature notarization. Unverified petitions are rejected at the clerk’s window and force a return trip.
- Not bringing exhibits. Texts, photos, and police reports left at home weaken the ex parte presentation.
- Filing in the wrong county. Filing where neither party lives and where no stalking happened can trigger a venue dismissal.
- Confusing CSPO with DVCPO. Filing the wrong form delays protection by days while the court redirects the case.
- Underestimating mental distress. Petitioners who minimize their symptoms make it harder for judges to find statutory distress.
- Including hearsay without explanation. Repeating what others told you, without naming witnesses, weakens the petition.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s:
- Do file in the county most convenient for you, since petitioners get to pick from three options.
- Do bring printed exhibits, three copies each, so the judge, the respondent, and your file all have a set.
- Do request firearms surrender if you have any reason to believe the respondent owns weapons, because that single check can save lives.
- Do use Form 10.01-H to keep your address confidential, since stalkers often pull court records.
- Do call a victim advocate before filing, because trained advocates can spot weak spots in your petition.
- Do save every text, voicemail, and DM in cloud storage, so a lost phone does not destroy your evidence.
Don’ts:
- Don’t sign the petition before you reach the courthouse, since the verification must be witnessed.
- Don’t confront the respondent to tell them you are filing — that contact can be twisted into mutual conflict.
- Don’t use a lawyer’s address as your contact unless they have agreed in writing, because mail delays will cost you hearings.
- Don’t skip the full hearing, since not appearing dismisses the case and dissolves the ex parte order.
- Don’t lie or exaggerate, because false statements are perjury under ORC § 2921.11.
- Don’t assume the protection order covers other states automatically — it does, under federal full-faith-and-credit law, but you should still register the order in any state you visit long-term.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of filing pro se:
- No cost beyond your time, since the filing fee is waived and you do not pay a lawyer.
- Same-day filing, because you control the timeline, not a lawyer’s calendar.
- Direct knowledge of the facts means you can answer the judge’s questions instantly.
- Privacy, since fewer people see your story.
- Empowerment, which many survivors describe as a healing part of the process.
Cons of filing pro se:
- Procedural mistakes that an advocate or attorney would catch.
- Emotional strain of facing the respondent at the full hearing without support.
- Difficulty cross-examining the respondent or their witnesses without legal training.
- Limited evidence skills, since pro se filers often miss admissibility rules.
- Higher denial rate at full hearings compared to represented petitioners, according to data summarized by the Ohio Domestic Violence Network.
A free middle ground exists: most counties have victim advocates who walk pro se filers through the process without acting as attorneys.
Civil Stalking Protection Order vs. Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order
| Feature | CSPO (Form 10.01-I) |
|---|---|
| Statute | ORC § 2903.214 |
| Who it covers | Any victim of stalking or sexually oriented offense, regardless of relationship |
| Required relationship | None |
| Filing fee | Waived |
| Length of final order | Up to 5 years |
| Filing form | Form 10.01-I |
| Feature | DVCPO (Form 10.01-D) |
|---|---|
| Statute | ORC § 3113.31 |
| Who it covers | Family or household members only |
| Required relationship | Spouse, ex-spouse, partner, parent, child, roommate, co-parent |
| Filing fee | Waived |
| Length of final order | Up to 5 years |
| Filing form | Form 10.01-D |
A safety reminder: if you are in immediate danger, call 911 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Ohio survivors can also reach the Ohio Domestic Violence Network and confidential local programs through ACTION Ohio. Your address can stay confidential through Ohio’s Safe at Home address-confidentiality program.
FAQs
Do I have to pay a filing fee for a CSPO in Ohio?
No. Ohio law waives all filing, service, and witness fees for civil stalking and sexually oriented offense protection orders, so cost is never a barrier to filing.
Can I file a CSPO against someone I have never dated or lived with?
Yes. A CSPO covers strangers, neighbors, classmates, coworkers, and online stalkers. The form was designed precisely for non-household relationships.
How long does an ex parte order last?
No longer than the full hearing date, which Ohio law sets within 10 court days of the ex parte order. After the full hearing, the order can extend up to 5 years.
Do I write my home address on the petition or use a P.O. Box?
No, you do not have to write your home address. File Form 10.01-H to seal it and use a safe mailing address — a P.O. Box, advocate’s office, or shelter address.
Should I check the firearms surrender box if I am only guessing the respondent owns guns?
Yes. Mark “yes” or “unknown” and explain what you know in writing. The judge cannot order surrender if you leave the box blank, so describe whatever you’ve seen or heard.
Do I list every incident in the Pattern of Conduct box, even old ones?
Yes. List incidents in chronological order, oldest to newest, because Ohio’s stalking statute looks for a pattern over time, and older incidents help establish escalation.
Can my child be listed as a protected person if the stalker has not contacted them yet?
Yes. Courts protect children based on credible risk of harm, not only on prior contact. Add their name, date of birth, and relationship in the Protected Persons box.
Do I need a lawyer to file a CSPO in Ohio?
No. The form is built for self-represented filers, and victim advocates statewide help petitioners free of charge through programs like the Ohio Domestic Violence Network.
Can I file a CSPO if the stalking happened only online?
Yes. Cyberstalking, social media harassment, and threatening texts all count under Ohio’s menacing-by-stalking statute. Bring screenshots with timestamps and account handles.
Will the respondent know my new address if I move?
No, not if you use the confidential disclosure form and keep your new address out of every court filing. Ohio’s Safe at Home program adds another layer of address shielding.
Does an Ohio CSPO protect me in other states?
Yes. Federal full-faith-and-credit law requires every state to honor a valid Ohio protection order, though registering the order in your destination state speeds up enforcement.
What happens if the respondent violates the order?
No tolerance under Ohio law — violation is a first-degree misdemeanor on a first offense and can be charged as a felony for repeat or weapon-involved violations under ORC § 2919.27.
Can I drop the order later if I change my mind?
Yes. File a motion to dismiss with the same court that issued the order. A judge will review your request before terminating the order to make sure the decision is voluntary.
Do I need to bring witnesses to the ex parte hearing?
No. The ex parte hearing usually only includes you and the judge. Save witnesses for the full hearing within 10 court days, where their testimony carries more weight.
Can I list a workplace as a stay-away location even if the respondent has never gone there?
Yes. List every place you spend regular time — home, work, school, gym, daycare, and family members’ homes — because preemptive stay-away orders are stronger than reactive ones.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California Form CH-100 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.980(i) (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Order of Protection + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Stalking No Contact Order + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Ohio Petition for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order + FAQs
- How to Fill Out a New Jersey Temporary Restraining Order + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form DV-100 (w/Examples) + FAQs