Washington Form PO 100 is the Motion for Reconsideration that a party files to ask the same judge or court commissioner who issued a protection order decision to take a second look at that decision because it was legally wrong, factually wrong, or because new evidence has surfaced. It is filed in the same superior, district, or municipal court that heard the underlying protection order case under Civil Rule 59 and chapter 7.105 RCW.
The current version is dated 01/2024 and is published by the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts. You have only 10 days from the date the order was entered to file PO 100, and missing that window almost always ends your chance to fix the order without filing an appeal.
According to data summarized by the Washington Gender and Justice Commission, Washington courts process more than 40,000 civil protection order petitions each year, and a meaningful share of denied petitions are challenged through reconsideration motions like PO 100 before any appeal is filed. Filers who miss the 10-day window or skip a CR 59 ground listed in Section 5 face automatic denial, even when the underlying facts are strong.
In this guide, you will learn:
- 📝 What Form PO 100 actually does and when it is the wrong tool
- 📅 How the 10-day filing deadline interacts with weekends, holidays, and local rules
- 🧭 A line-by-line walkthrough of every box, signature line, and CR 59 checkbox
- 👥 Three full filled-out scenarios using real fact patterns
- ⚖️ The most common mistakes that cause judges to deny reconsideration on the papers
What Form PO 100 Is and Who Must File It
Form PO 100 is a four-page motion used inside an existing protection order case to ask the same judicial officer who entered the order to vacate, change, or reconsider that decision. It is authorized by CR 59, the civil rule that governs new trials and reconsideration in Washington civil cases. The form sits inside the protection order family of forms hosted on the Washington Courts forms library.
Anyone who is a party to a civil protection order case may file PO 100. That includes the petitioner whose protection order was denied, the petitioner whose order was granted but with relief they believe was too narrow, and the respondent who believes the order should not have issued or should not contain certain restrictions. Third parties who are not named in the case caption cannot file PO 100.
PO 100 is the right form when a judge or commissioner made a final decision and you want that same judicial officer to reconsider it. If a commissioner signed the order and you want a judge to review the commissioner’s work, you must instead use Form PO 110, Motion for Revision, as explained by Washington Law Help. Choosing the wrong vehicle is the single most common reason these motions fail before they are even read.
The form covers all five protection order types created by chapter 7.105 RCW: domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, antiharassment, and vulnerable adult protection orders. It also applies to denials of related orders, including the Order to Surrender and Prohibit Weapons under RCW 9.41.800. Extreme Risk Protection Orders use a separate XR series and are not directly addressed by PO 100.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Reconsideration motions live or die on what you can put in the record before the 10-day clock runs out. Gather every document below before you open the form, because hunting for paperwork mid-draft is the fastest way to miss a deadline. The clerk will not pause your case while you find a missing piece.
- The signed order you want reconsidered. You need the exact entry date and the judicial officer’s name printed on the order. Without those two items, Section 1 of the form cannot be completed accurately.
- Your case number. This appears in the upper right corner of every order issued in your protection order case. Filing PO 100 in the wrong case opens a new file and does not get your existing order reconsidered.
- The original Petition for Protection Order (PO 001). You will reference paragraphs and exhibits from this petition in Sections 3 and 4, so keep it next to you. The current statewide petition is hosted on the Washington Courts site.
- Any hearing transcript, audio, or notes. If you are arguing legal error or “no evidence to support the decision,” you need to point to specific testimony. Most counties allow you to order the FTR audio from the clerk for a small fee.
- All written declarations filed in the case. Reconsideration is decided on the existing record unless you have newly discovered evidence, so the declarations you already filed are your main exhibits.
- Newly discovered evidence, if any. This means evidence that existed at the time of the hearing but that you could not have found with reasonable diligence. Photos, texts, medical records, and witness statements that emerged after the hearing fit here.
- A copy of your county’s Local Court Rules. Counties differ on response timelines, page limits, and whether oral argument is allowed. King County’s rules sit on the King County Superior Court site.
- A photo ID and contact details for the other party. You must serve them at least 5 days before the hearing, so you need their service address or email of record.
- A proposed order (optional but strongly recommended). Section 6 asks whether you have attached one, and judges are far more willing to grant relief that has already been drafted for them.
- Your Law Enforcement and Confidential Information form (PO 003), if you are updating contact information. A copy of PO 003 is filed separately, not attached to PO 100.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official, current PO 100 lives on the Washington Courts protection order forms page. Always download from that page rather than from a third-party blog, because older versions still float around the internet and judges reject motions filed on outdated form templates. The revision date 01/2024 should appear in the top left of every page of the form you use.
You can also access PO 100 through Washington Law Help and through guided online interviews at LegalAtoms, which several counties contract with for protection order intake. Snohomish County, for example, routes most filers through LegalAtoms before they reach the clerk. The interview asks you the same questions as the paper form and outputs a completed PDF you can sign.
For e-filing, most counties accept PO 100 through the statewide Odyssey File & Serve portal or through E-File WA. Smaller counties such as Stevens County route filers through E-File WA, while large counties like King County use a county-specific portal. If you cannot file electronically, the paper form can be hand-delivered or mailed to the clerk of the court that heard your case.
If you need a printed copy and you do not have a printer, the Superior Court Clerk’s office in your county will give you a blank form for free. Some courts also keep blank PO 100 forms in their facilitator office or self-help center. Bring photo ID when you ask, since clerks sometimes log who picks up packets.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Washington Form PO 100 Line by Line
Caption: Court of Washington, County of ___
The caption tells the court which county and which court layer (superior, district, or municipal) is hearing your motion. Write the same county name that appears on the order you are challenging, in capital letters, in the blank after “County of.” Filing in a different county creates a brand-new case and does not reach your existing judge.
For example, Maria Lopez writes KING in the county blank because her protection order was denied in King County Superior Court. If your case was heard in district court (common for some antiharassment orders), write the district court name on the line above the county, such as SEATTLE MUNICIPAL COURT or KING COUNTY DISTRICT COURT.
A common nuance is dual-jurisdiction cases. If your protection order was transferred between courts, use the court where the order you want reconsidered was actually entered, not where the case originally started. Many filers default to “Superior Court” by habit and end up filing in the wrong court layer.
The most frequent mistake here is leaving the county blank or writing the county where you currently live instead of the county where the case was heard. The direct consequence is that the clerk either rejects the filing or files it as a new case, and your 10-day clock keeps ticking. A misconception filers carry is that “any Washington court” can reconsider the order; only the issuing court can.
Petitioner/s and Respondent/s Boxes
These two boxes must mirror the caption on the order you are challenging exactly, including spelling, middle initials, and the order in which names appear. Copy them straight from the signed order. Do not switch the petitioner and respondent positions even if you are the respondent filing the motion.
For example, Carlos Reyes writes Maria Lopez in the petitioner box and Carlos Reyes in the respondent box because Maria filed the underlying petition. Carlos is filing PO 100 as the respondent, but his name still belongs in the respondent slot.
A nuance arises when there are multiple petitioners (such as a parent petitioning on behalf of two minor children). List every petitioner the same way the order lists them, including any “obo” (on behalf of) language. The same applies to multiple respondents.
The most common mistake is putting the moving party on top regardless of which side they are on. The consequence is that the motion appears to alter the case caption, which can trigger a clerical rejection. A misconception people hold is that filing PO 100 changes their role in the case; it does not.
Case Number (No.)
The case number is the unique identifier the clerk assigned when the petition was first filed, and it appears on every order, notice, and minute entry. Copy it exactly, including the dash and the two-digit year prefix used in Washington (for example, 24-2-01234-5 KNT). The county designator at the end (KNT, SEA, KCT) matters for routing in larger counties.
For example, Janet Kim writes 25-2-04582-1 SEA in the case number box because her Seattle case was filed in 2025. If your case has multiple consolidated numbers, use the lead case number listed first on the order.
A nuance is sealed or confidential cases. If your case caption uses initials or a “JD” prefix because a minor is involved, replicate that exactly. Do not “expand” sealed initials into full names, because that defeats the seal.
The most common mistake is dropping the trailing county code or transposing digits, which causes the clerk’s case management system to fail to attach the motion to your file. The consequence is that the judge never sees the motion before the deadline. A misconception is that the case number on a temporary order differs from the case number on a final order; in Washington protection order cases, it does not.
Motion Title Confirmation: Motion for Reconsideration (MTRC)
The form is preprinted with “Motion for Reconsideration (MTRC)” as the title, and you should not change it. The acronym MTRC is the Washington court document code that the clerk uses to index the filing. Striking through this title or relabeling it as a “Motion to Vacate” can cause the document to be docketed under the wrong code.
For example, Aisha Patel leaves the title untouched even though she is asking the court to vacate a denial, because reconsideration is the correct procedural vehicle within 10 days. After 10 days, a different motion (such as a motion to vacate under CR 60) might apply, but PO 100 is still labeled Motion for Reconsideration.
A nuance is that some counties prefer that motions also be noted on a confirmation calendar. Even if you note it for confirmation, do not change the title.
The most common mistake is editing the title to match a different motion type, which causes the indexing problem above. A misconception is that “Motion for Reconsideration” and “Motion for Revision” are interchangeable; they are not, as Washington Law Help explains in detail.
Deadline Notice and Extension of Temporary Weapons Surrender
The top of page 1 carries a bold Deadline! notice telling you that the motion must be filed within 10 days after entry of the order. This deadline is set by CR 59(b) and cannot be extended by stipulation. The 10 days are counted under CR 6, which means weekends and judicial holidays at the end of the period roll the deadline to the next court day.
For example, if Maria’s order was entered on Monday, June 1, 2026, her deadline to file PO 100 is Thursday, June 11, 2026. If June 11 fell on a holiday, she would have until June 12.
The form also explains that if your full protection order was denied but a temporary Order to Surrender and Prohibit Weapons was in place, the court must extend that temporary weapons order while the motion is pending unless extension would be a “manifest injustice.” To trigger this protection, you must file a proposed Order Extending Order to Surrender and Prohibit Weapons (WS 400) at the same time you file PO 100.
A nuance is that some counties require the WS 400 to be presented to a judicial officer in person on the same day, not just filed with the clerk. The most common mistake is treating the 10-day window as 10 business days; it is 10 calendar days. The consequence is a denied motion no matter how strong the merits. A misconception is that newly discovered evidence “restarts” the clock; it does not.
Section 1: Relief Requested
Section 1 has two parts. First, you write your full legal name in the “My name is” line. Second, you list the order you want reconsidered by entry date and judicial officer name, then check the box that matches the order type: Protection Order, Order to Surrender and Prohibit Weapons, Denial Order, or Other.
For example, Maria Lopez writes her name, then enters 05/14/2026 as the entry date and Commissioner Diane Wu as the judicial officer, and checks Denial Order because her petition was denied at the full hearing. If she also wants to revisit a related weapons ruling, she checks both Denial Order and Order to Surrender and Prohibit Weapons.
A nuance is partial relief. If only one piece of the order was wrong (say, the no-contact distance), check Other and describe it (“distance restriction in paragraph 7”). Do not check every box hoping to broaden your motion; judges read it as imprecision.
The most common mistake is writing a nickname or abbreviated name on the “My name is” line. The consequence is a mismatch between the motion and the case caption that can cause confusion at the hearing. A misconception is that this section is just a header; it is the operative sentence telling the judge what you actually want.
Section 2: Errors in the Previous Order/s
Section 2 is where you spell out, point by point, what the court got wrong. List each portion of the order you challenge and explain why it was wrong based on the law, the evidence presented at the hearing, or newly discovered evidence. End each item with what the court should have ordered.
For example, Carlos Reyes writes: “Paragraph 4 of the order finds that I committed coercive control. The only evidence at the hearing was a single text message dated 03/02/2026, which the court did not admit into evidence. Without that text, there is no evidence supporting paragraph 4. The court should have struck paragraph 4 and entered a more limited no-contact provision.”
A nuance is that you must tie each error to one of the CR 59(a) grounds you will check in Section 5. If your “error” is just disagreement with the judge’s weighing of credible testimony, that is not a CR 59 ground and the motion will be denied. The most common mistake is rearguing the case as if it were a new trial. The consequence is that the judge denies the motion without a hearing. A misconception is that a longer narrative is more persuasive; tight, numbered errors win.
Section 3: Statement of Facts/Grounds
Section 3 lists the facts that support your request. These must be facts already in the record (in the petition, declarations, hearing testimony, or admitted exhibits) unless you are presenting newly discovered evidence. Use a numbered list and cite where each fact came from.
For example, Janet Kim writes: “1. At the hearing on 05/02/2026, Officer Brady testified at 10:14 a.m. (FTR) that he observed bruising on my left forearm. 2. Exhibit 4 (medical record from Harborview, 04/28/2026) documents the same bruising. 3. The court’s order at paragraph 6 finds ‘no physical injury,’ which is contrary to this evidence.”
A nuance is sealed records. If your supporting fact comes from a sealed declaration, reference the document by its sub-number, not its content, and ask the court to review the sealed exhibit. The most common mistake is mixing argument with facts. The consequence is that the judge cannot tell what is evidence and what is your spin. A misconception is that facts in a closing argument count as evidence; only admitted evidence counts.
Section 4: Evidence Relied Upon
Section 4 is the exhibit list. Identify every document, declaration, or piece of testimony you want the judge to revisit, and identify any newly discovered evidence by name and date. Be specific enough that the clerk could pull the exhibit from the file.
For example, Aisha Patel writes: “Petition for Protection Order filed 04/10/2026 (sub no. 1); Petitioner’s Declaration filed 04/22/2026 (sub no. 7), paragraphs 4–9; Hearing testimony of Petitioner on 05/01/2026, FTR 9:42–9:58 a.m.; Newly discovered evidence: text messages from Respondent to Petitioner dated 05/05/2026, attached as Exhibit A to this motion.”
A nuance is the rule on newly discovered evidence under CR 59(a)(4). The evidence must have existed at the time of the hearing but been undiscoverable with reasonable diligence; evidence created after the hearing usually does not qualify. The most common mistake is listing evidence that was never offered at the hearing without explaining why it is “newly discovered.” The consequence is that the judge ignores it. A misconception is that you can attach any new exhibit you want; only properly authenticated, newly discovered evidence belongs here.
Section 5: Legal Authority (CR 59(a) Checkboxes)
Section 5 reproduces the nine CR 59(a) grounds for reconsideration as checkboxes. You must check at least one, and each box you check must be tied to specific facts in Sections 2, 3, and 4. The form also lets you cite “other legal authority,” which is where statutory citations like RCW 7.105.225 belong.
For example, Carlos Reyes checks “Error in law occurring at the hearing that I objected to at the time” and “That there is no evidence or reasonable inference from the evidence to justify the decision, or that it is contrary to law.” He then writes “RCW 7.105.225(1)(a) requires a preponderance of evidence of domestic violence; the only admitted evidence was a single contested text.”
A nuance is overchecking. Checking all nine boxes signals to the judge that you have not actually thought about which ground applies. Pick the two or three that fit your facts. The most common mistake is checking “newly discovered evidence” when the evidence was always available. The consequence is denial under CR 59(a)(4). A misconception is that “substantial justice has not been done” is a catchall that covers everything; courts read it narrowly.
Section 6: Proposed Order
Section 6 has two checkboxes: is or is not attached. If you have drafted a proposed order, check is and physically attach it. The proposed order should mirror the relief you described in Section 1 and the corrections you described in Section 2.
For example, Maria Lopez checks is and attaches a proposed Order on Motion for Reconsideration (PO 101), which is the companion form the court signs to grant or deny the motion. Many judges will not consider granting a motion that does not include a proposed order.
A nuance is that some counties require the proposed order to be a separate, unsigned document, while others let you embed it. Check your local rules. The most common mistake is checking is and forgetting to attach the order. The consequence is that the judge cannot grant relief at the hearing without continuing the matter. A misconception is that the proposed order locks you into specific language; you can argue for variations at the hearing.
Signature Block and Service Address
The signature block requires you to certify under penalty of perjury, list the city and state where you signed, and date the signature. Print your name beneath the signature line. The service address section then asks where the other party should send legal papers: your lawyer’s address, an email, or a non-home mailing address.
For example, Janet Kim signs at Seattle, WA, dates the form 06/02/2026, and lists her advocate’s office address as her service address because she does not want her home address public. She checks the email box and adds janet.legal@protonmail.com as a backup.
A nuance is the General Rule 22 confidentiality framework: financial, medical, and other sensitive details should be in a sealed document, not on the public PO 100. The most common mistake is listing a home address you are trying to keep confidential. The consequence is that the address becomes part of the public file. A misconception is that signing electronically is invalid; in Washington, GR 30 treats electronic signatures as equivalent to wet signatures.
Lawyer Block (If Represented)
If you have a lawyer, the lawyer signs, prints their name and WSBA number, dates the form, and lists their address and email. If you are self-represented, leave this block blank rather than crossing it out.
For example, attorney Devon Ortiz, WSBA No. 56789, signs on behalf of Carlos Reyes, lists their firm address, and adds devon@ortizlaw.com. Lawyers must include their bar number under APR 1.
A nuance is limited-scope representation. If a lawyer is helping with only the motion, they must file a Notice of Limited Appearance so they can withdraw cleanly after the motion is decided. The most common mistake is having a paralegal or advocate sign here; only a lawyer admitted in Washington may. The consequence is that the motion is rejected as an unauthorized practice issue. A misconception is that bar number formatting can vary; always use the digits only with no commas or “WSBA #” prefix on the line.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez — Denied DV Petition After New Texts Surface
Maria sought a domestic violence protection order against her ex-husband. The court denied it for “insufficient evidence of recent abuse.” Three days later, Maria’s sister found threatening texts the ex sent the day before the hearing.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | KING, Superior Court |
| Petitioner / Respondent | Maria Lopez / Daniel Lopez |
| Case Number | 26-2-03311-7 KNT |
| Section 1 — Relief | Name Maria Lopez; date 05/14/2026; officer Commissioner Diane Wu; checks Denial Order |
| Section 2 — Errors | “The denial finds ‘no recent threat’; newly discovered texts dated 05/13/2026 show explicit threats.” |
| Section 3 — Facts | “1. Hearing on 05/14/2026. 2. Texts dated 05/13/2026 attached as Exhibit A. 3. Sender phone matches Respondent’s number on petition.” |
| Section 4 — Evidence | “Petition (sub 1); Petitioner Declaration (sub 5); newly discovered texts (Ex. A).” |
| Section 5 — CR 59 grounds | Checks Newly discovered evidence and No evidence or reasonable inference to justify the decision |
| Section 6 — Proposed order | is attached (PO 101) |
| Signature | Signed Seattle, WA, 05/19/2026 |
Scenario 2: Carlos Reyes — Respondent Challenging an Overbroad Order
Carlos was ordered to stay 1,000 feet from his ex-girlfriend’s workplace, which is across the street from his employer. He believes the court committed legal error by failing to consider his employment.
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | PIERCE, Superior Court |
| Petitioner / Respondent | Sara Nguyen / Carlos Reyes |
| Case Number | 26-2-09812-3 TAC |
| Section 1 — Relief | Name Carlos Reyes; date 05/22/2026; officer Judge Patel; checks Protection Order and Other: paragraph 7 distance restriction |
| Section 2 — Errors | “Paragraph 7 imposes a 1,000-foot stay-away that effectively bars Respondent from his job at 410 Pacific Ave.” |
| Section 3 — Facts | “1. Carlos’s pay stub (Ex. B) shows employer at 410 Pacific Ave. 2. Petitioner works at 415 Pacific Ave. 3. Counsel objected at hearing FTR 11:08 a.m.” |
| Section 4 — Evidence | “Hearing testimony FTR 10:50–11:20; Pay stub Ex. B; Employer letter Ex. C.” |
| Section 5 — CR 59 grounds | Checks Error in law occurring at the hearing that I objected to and Substantial justice has not been done |
| Section 6 — Proposed order | is attached, modifying paragraph 7 to a 250-foot radius |
| Signature | Signed Tacoma, WA, 05/27/2026 |
Scenario 3: Aisha Patel — Vulnerable Adult Petition Denied
Aisha filed a vulnerable adult protection order for her 82-year-old father against a caregiver. The order was denied because the court treated her father as the only proper petitioner.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | SPOKANE, Superior Court |
| Petitioner / Respondent | Aisha Patel obo Ravi Patel / Greg Hall |
| Case Number | 26-2-01044-2 SPO |
| Section 1 — Relief | Name Aisha Patel; date 05/06/2026; officer Commissioner Lin; checks Denial Order |
| Section 2 — Errors | “Denial finds Aisha lacked standing. RCW 74.34.110 expressly authorizes ‘an interested person’ to petition on behalf of a vulnerable adult.” |
| Section 3 — Facts | “1. Ravi Patel is 82 and has a dementia diagnosis (Ex. D). 2. Aisha is his daughter and POA (Ex. E). 3. Court ruled standing only at hearing.” |
| Section 4 — Evidence | “Petition (sub 1); POA (Ex. E); Medical record (Ex. D); Hearing FTR 9:30 a.m.” |
| Section 5 — CR 59 grounds | Checks Error in law and Contrary to law |
| Section 6 — Proposed order | is attached |
| Signature | Signed Spokane, WA, 05/12/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
You must file the original PO 100 with the clerk of the same court that entered the order. Filing in another county or court layer creates a new case and does not reach your judge. Most counties accept the motion through three channels: e-filing, in person, and mail.
For e-filing, large counties use Odyssey File & Serve, while many small and mid-size counties use E-File WA. Both portals charge a transactional fee for civil filings, but protection-order-related motions are exempt from filing fees under RCW 7.105.100(4), and the portals accept fee-waiver flags. Processing typically takes 1 business day, and your proof of filing is the time-stamped confirmation email from the portal.
For in-person filing, take three copies of the motion to the clerk’s window: one to be filed, one stamped copy for you, and one to serve on the other party. There is no filing fee for protection-order-related motions, and the clerk will hand-stamp your copy as proof of filing. Find the clerk’s address through the Washington State Association of County Clerks.
For mail filing, send the original motion plus a self-addressed stamped envelope to the clerk’s office. Use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of mailing within the 10-day window; under CR 5(b), filing is complete when the clerk receives the document, not when you mail it. Allow at least 3 business days for delivery and aim to mail no later than day 6 of the 10-day window.
You must also serve a copy on every other party (or their lawyer) at least 5 days before the hearing. Service may be by mail, hand delivery, or email if the party has agreed to email service. File a Declaration of Service to prove you served the other side; the clerk will not set your motion for hearing without it.
What Happens After You File
Once filed, the motion is routed to the same judge or commissioner who entered the original order. Under CR 59(d), the court can decide your motion on the papers without oral argument, so your written motion has to do the heavy lifting. Some counties allow a response from the other party only if the court asks for one.
If your underlying full protection order was denied and you had a temporary Order to Surrender and Prohibit Weapons, the judge must extend that temporary weapons order while the motion is pending unless extension would be a manifest injustice. You secure that extension by presenting a proposed WS 400 at the time of filing. The extension is automatic in most counties when the WS 400 is presented promptly.
You should schedule the hearing within 30 days of the entry of the order you are challenging, unless your county rules or a court order allow more time. Many counties hold reconsideration hearings on a dedicated motion calendar. Confirm the hearing date with the clerk after filing.
If the court grants your motion, it issues a new order that supersedes the old one. If the court denies your motion, your next option is usually a Motion for Revision (PO 110) (only if a commissioner heard the case), or a direct appeal under RAP 2.2. The 30-day appeal clock under RAP 5.2 is paused while a timely PO 100 is pending.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Filing on day 11 or later. Once 10 days pass, the court loses authority to reconsider, and the motion is denied as untimely.
- Confusing reconsideration with revision. Filing PO 100 to ask a judge to overturn a commissioner fails; you need PO 110.
- Checking every CR 59 box. Overchecking signals lack of focus and gives the judge an easy basis to deny.
- Reargument instead of error identification. Judges are not asked to rehear the case; they are asked to fix specific errors.
- Forgetting to attach a proposed order. Without one, judges often deny rather than draft relief from scratch.
- Using an outdated form template. Forms older than 01/2024 may be rejected by clerks who require the current version.
- Listing a confidential home address in the service block. That makes your address part of the public record.
- Skipping service on the other party. Without a declaration of service, the hearing will not be heard.
- Putting newly discovered evidence in Section 3 instead of Section 4. It blurs facts and exhibits and weakens the motion.
- Omitting the case number’s county designator (KNT, SEA, TAC, etc.). The clerk’s case management system fails to attach the motion.
- Filing in the wrong court layer. Antiharassment orders sometimes live in district court; reconsideration must follow.
- Treating “substantial justice has not been done” as a catchall. Courts read it narrowly and demand a tied factual basis.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do download the current 01/2024 form from the Washington Courts forms library so the clerk does not reject your filing.
- Do calendar your 10-day deadline twice, once for the original date and once for the day before, because CR 6 deadline math is unforgiving.
- Do tie every checked CR 59 box to a fact in Section 3 so the judge can see the connection at a glance.
- Do attach a proposed Order on Motion for Reconsideration because judges grant motions that come with ready-to-sign orders.
- Do file a WS 400 the same day if you are protecting a temporary weapons surrender.
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Do serve the other party at least 5 days before the hearing to satisfy the form’s service rule.
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Don’t rewrite the case caption because changing names or order positions confuses the clerk’s index.
- Don’t include sealed financial or medical details in the body of PO 100, since GR 22 requires those to be sealed.
- Don’t use Form PO 100 for a Department of Corrections issue or a procurement matter, because PO 100 is exclusively a protection order reconsideration motion.
- Don’t rely on email service unless the other party agreed to email service in writing.
- Don’t argue credibility calls, because the judge who heard the witnesses is the only one who can re-weigh credibility.
- Don’t forget to sign under penalty of perjury, since an unsigned motion is treated as not filed under GR 30.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing Pro Se | Filing with a Lawyer or Advocate |
|---|---|
| Free aside from optional copy fees, since protection-order motions waive court fees under RCW 7.105.100. | Costs more, but representation increases the chance the court grants relief. |
| You control timing and language and never wait on a lawyer’s calendar. | A lawyer knows local rules and judge preferences that pro se filers often miss. |
| You learn the system, which helps if you have future filings. | A lawyer can spot which CR 59 grounds actually fit and avoid overchecking. |
| You retain confidentiality from anyone outside the case. | An advocate from a DV agency listed on WSCADV can support you in court without charging fees. |
| You avoid disagreements over strategy. | A lawyer or advocate can help draft the proposed order, which is a common pro se gap. |
Pros of filing pro se: cost savings, control of timing, privacy, learning curve, no scheduling conflicts. Cons of filing pro se: risk of missing CR 59 nuances, no help drafting the proposed order, harder to navigate local rules, emotional load, and weaker hearing presentation. Pros of filing with help: better legal framing, polished proposed order, courtroom advocacy, local-rule fluency, and access to advocates who can stand with you. Cons of filing with help: cost, scheduling, and possible strategy disagreements.
FAQs
Is Form PO 100 the same as the Petition for Protection Order?
No. PO 100 is a Motion for Reconsideration filed after an order is entered, while PO 001 is the petition that starts the case.
Do I have to file PO 100 within 10 days?
Yes. CR 59(b) requires filing within 10 days after entry of the order, including weekends, with the deadline rolling to the next court day if it falls on a weekend or holiday.
Can I file PO 100 to challenge a commissioner’s decision?
No. Use Form PO 110, Motion for Revision when you want a judge to review a commissioner’s order; PO 100 only asks the same officer to reconsider.
Is there a filing fee for PO 100?
No. Under RCW 7.105.100(4), protection-order-related motions are filed without fees in Washington courts.
Do I write my full legal name or a nickname in Section 1?
Yes, use your full legal name as it appears on the case caption, since nicknames create indexing mismatches.
Should I check every CR 59 ground in Section 5?
No. Check only the grounds that match your specific facts; overchecking signals weak focus and invites denial.
Can I add new evidence in Section 4?
Yes, but only if it is truly newly discovered, meaning it existed at the hearing and could not have been found with reasonable diligence under CR 59(a)(4).
Do I have to attach a proposed order at Section 6?
No, it is optional, but judges grant relief far more often when a proposed PO 101 order is attached and ready to sign.
Can I list my advocate’s address as my service address?
Yes, the form expressly allows any address that is not your home, including a lawyer’s office, an advocate’s office, or a P.O. Box.
Does filing PO 100 pause my appeal deadline?
Yes. A timely reconsideration motion tolls the RAP 5.2 30-day appeal clock until the motion is decided.
Will my temporary weapons surrender stay in place while PO 100 is pending?
Yes, if you file a proposed WS 400 at the same time, the court must extend the temporary order unless extension would be a manifest injustice.
Can the other party file a response?
No in many counties, unless the court asks for one; check your Local Court Rules before assuming a reply will be considered.
Do I need to schedule a hearing or will the judge decide on the papers?
Yes, schedule a hearing within 30 days, but be ready for the judge to decide without oral argument under CR 59(d).
Can I e-file PO 100 instead of going to the clerk’s office?
Yes, most counties accept e-filing through Odyssey File & Serve or E-File WA, and the time-stamped confirmation is your proof of filing.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Washington Form PO 001 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form PO 020 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form PO 030 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form PO 040 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form PRO 03 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form PRO 04 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form DV-100 (w/Examples) + FAQs