Washington Form PRO 05 is the Petition for Protection Order packet under the state’s unified Civil Protection Order Act, RCW 7.105, and any adult, minor 15 or older, parent, guardian, or qualified third party may file it to ask a Washington court to legally restrain another person from contact, abuse, stalking, harassment, financial exploitation, or firearm access. The packet covers six distinct order types in one master petition: Domestic Violence (DVPO), Sexual Assault (SAPO), Stalking (SPO), Anti-Harassment (AHPO), Vulnerable Adult (VAPO), and Extreme Risk (ERPO).
The petition is the single most important document in your case because the judge reads it first, often without you in the room, when deciding whether to grant a same-day Temporary Protection Order. According to the Washington Administrative Office of the Courts 2024 Caseload Report, Washington courts processed over 47,000 civil protection order petitions in 2024, and roughly 1 in 5 petitions are denied or returned for correction because of missing fields, vague incident descriptions, or wrong respondent information.
- 📝 How to complete every box on Form PRO 05.0100, 05.0150, and the law enforcement sheet PRO 05.0200
- ⚖️ Which of the six order types fits your facts under RCW 7.105.010
- 🖥️ How to file by paper, in person, or through the statewide online portal
- 👨👩👧 Three full named-person walkthroughs for the most common fact patterns
- 🚨 The 10 most common mistakes that get petitions denied and how to avoid them
What Form PRO 05 Is and Who Must File It
Form PRO 05 is the family of mandatory statewide forms approved by the Washington Pattern Forms Committee for petitioners seeking a civil protection order in any Washington Superior, District, or Municipal Court. The umbrella name “PRO 05” covers a numbered series, including PRO 01.0100 Petition Cover Sheet, PRO 02.0100 Law Enforcement and Confidential Information Form, PRO 03.0100 Petition for Protection Order, and the temporary order PRO 04.0100, with the most recent revision dated June 2024. Filers must always use the current version because judges reject older versions that omit firearms surrender language required by the Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1320.
You must file Form PRO 05 if you are a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, unlawful harassment, abuse of a vulnerable adult, or you fear a person poses a serious firearm risk. Parents and guardians file on behalf of children under 15, and youth ages 15–17 may petition on their own for SAPO, SPO, AHPO, and ERPO orders under RCW 7.105.100. Law enforcement officers and prosecuting attorneys may also file ERPOs against gun owners they believe pose a danger.
The form is not the right vehicle for divorce, child custody, or landlord-tenant disputes. Filers in those situations should instead use the Washington family law forms or unlawful detainer forms. Filing the wrong form delays your protection by weeks because the clerk will reject the packet at intake.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Before opening Form PRO 05, gather every piece of identifying and incident information in one folder so you can fill the petition in a single sitting. Judges read the petition the same day you file, and gaps look like uncertainty. Use the checklist below as a pre-flight inspection.
- Your full legal name, date of birth, and a safe mailing address — required for service and notice. Without a safe address, list a P.O. Box or use the Address Confidentiality Program.
- Respondent’s full legal name, date of birth, height, weight, race, hair and eye color, and any aliases — required by PRO 02.0100 so law enforcement can serve and identify the respondent. A wrong birthdate causes service to fail.
- Respondent’s home address, work address, and vehicle plate number — needed for the sheriff to serve the order. Missing service info delays your hearing past the 14-day temporary window.
- Names and birthdates of any minor children — required if you ask the court to include them in the order under RCW 7.105.310.
- A timeline of the most recent and most serious incidents — dates, locations, what was said, what was done, who witnessed it, and whether police responded.
- Police report numbers, hospital records, screenshots, photos, and texts — anchor your narrative with documentary proof.
- A list of firearms the respondent owns or has access to — required for both DVPO and ERPO orders to trigger surrender under RCW 9.41.800.
- Existing court orders involving the same parties — divorce, parenting plans, criminal no-contact orders, or prior protection orders.
- Photo ID and filing fee waiver — though most protection orders are fee-free, AHPO between non-intimate parties may carry a fee unless waived under GR 34.
- A safety plan — phone numbers for shelters such as the Washington State Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-562-6025.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You can download the entire PRO 05 packet free of charge from the Washington Courts Forms Library in fillable PDF and Word formats. The library lists every PRO 05 subform with its current revision date in the right column. Print double-sided on plain white paper so the clerk can scan it without re-collating.
You can also generate the petition online through the Washington Protection Order portal, which guides you through every field, saves your progress for 30 days, and e-files directly to your county. The portal is available 24/7 in English and Spanish, and it auto-populates the law enforcement information sheet so you do not have to re-enter the respondent’s description. Many courts now prefer the portal because it eliminates handwriting errors that delay service.
Paper packets are also available free at every Superior Court clerk’s office, most District Courts, and at advocacy centers such as LifeWire in King County or YWCA Yakima. Take the packet home, complete it in private, and bring two copies plus the original when you file. Bringing only one copy is the most common intake-window rejection because the clerk needs an original for the file, a copy for service, and a copy for you.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form PRO 05 Line by Line
The packet is organized by parts and pages. Each H3 below maps to one box, line, or logical grouping using the exact field labels printed on the June 2024 revision.
Caption — County and Court
This top block asks which Washington county and which court level you are filing in. Write the county in ALL CAPS on the line that reads “Superior Court of Washington, County of ______.” For example, Maria Lopez writes KING in the county blank because she lives in Seattle. If you live in one county but the abuse happened in another, you may file in either, per RCW 7.105.080.
A nuance: if you are seeking a Vulnerable Adult Protection Order, you must file in Superior Court, not District Court, because only Superior Court has jurisdiction. The most common mistake here is leaving the county blank and letting the clerk fill it in, which can route the petition to the wrong courthouse and delay the hearing. A frequent misconception is that you must file where the respondent lives — you do not; you may file where you live, where the respondent lives, or where any incident occurred.
Petitioner Name (Box 1)
Box 1 asks for your full legal name as it appears on your government ID. Print first, middle, last with no nicknames, and use the same spelling on every page of the packet. Aisha Mohammed Khan enters her name as AISHA MOHAMMED KHAN, matching her driver’s license.
If you go by a different name day-to-day, list it on the alias line below your legal name. The most common mistake is entering a married name when court records still list a maiden name, which causes a “no record” hit when the sheriff runs the parties for service. The misconception is that using initials is acceptable — it is not, because initials cannot be matched against the Judicial Information System.
Petitioner Date of Birth (Box 2)
Box 2 asks for your date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format. This field controls whether you may petition on your own (age 15+ for some order types) or whether a guardian must sign with you. Carlos Ramirez writes 04/22/1990 in Box 2.
A nuance applies to youth petitioners between 15 and 17: you may sign the petition for SAPO, SPO, AHPO, or ERPO, but a parent must sign for DVPO unless you are a current or former intimate partner of the respondent. The mistake filers make is writing today’s date instead of their birthdate, which immediately triggers a clerk callback. The misconception is that age does not matter — it absolutely does, because a minor petitioning without authority will see the petition dismissed.
Petitioner Address and Safe Contact (Box 3)
Box 3 asks where the court should send mail. You may use a safe address, including a P.O. Box, an attorney’s address, an advocate’s address, or an Address Confidentiality Program substitute address from the Washington Secretary of State. Janet Pierce uses her advocate’s office address: 500 Union St, Seattle, WA 98101.
The nuance is that you should never list your home address if the respondent does not already know it, because the petition becomes a public record served on the respondent. The mistake is writing a home address out of habit and exposing yourself; the consequence is that the respondent learns where to find you. The misconception is that the court will redact your address — it will not unless you check the confidentiality box and file the Confidential Information Form.
Respondent Name (Box 4)
Box 4 asks for the full legal name of the person you want restrained. Use first, middle, and last names with all known aliases. Marcus Lee writes the respondent as DEREK J. PARKER, also known as DJ PARKER.
The nuance is that you may file even if you only know a partial name, but service will be much harder. The mistake is entering a nickname only — the sheriff cannot serve “Big D.” The misconception is that you must have an exact spelling; you do not, but you must list every known variation.
Respondent Identifiers (Box 5)
Box 5 asks for date of birth, sex, race, height, weight, hair color, eye color, and any scars or tattoos. These details go on PRO 02.0100, the Law Enforcement Information Sheet, which is kept confidential under GR 22. Sofia Reyes writes DOB 09/14/1985, male, 5‘11”, 190 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes, tattoo of an eagle on the right forearm.
The nuance is that approximate descriptions are acceptable when exact data is unknown; write “approx.” next to the estimate. The mistake is leaving this blank because you “don’t know everything” — incomplete is far better than empty. The misconception is that this sheet is public — it is not; only law enforcement and the court see it.
Relationship to Respondent (Box 6)
Box 6 asks how you know the respondent and which order type you are seeking. Check one primary order type and as many relationship boxes as apply: spouse, dating partner, household member, family, neighbor, coworker, stranger, or vulnerable adult relationship. Linda Park checks “former dating partner” and selects “Domestic Violence Protection Order.”
A nuance: if you are not sure whether the relationship qualifies as “intimate partner” under RCW 7.105.010(22), check both DVPO and SPO so the judge can choose the correct order. The mistake is checking AHPO when DVPO would apply, which causes you to lose firearm-surrender protection. The misconception is that one form covers only one order type — the unified petition lets you stack multiple types in alternative.
Minor Children (Box 7)
Box 7 asks whether you want minor children included in the order, with their names, ages, and relationship to each party. Maria Lopez lists JACOB LOPEZ, age 7, son of both parties, and EMMA LOPEZ, age 4, daughter of both parties.
The nuance is that DVPOs can include temporary parenting plans for up to one year under RCW 7.105.310. The mistake is forgetting a child because they live with a relative, which leaves that child unprotected. The misconception is that the order automatically includes children — it does not; you must list every child you want covered.
Incident Description (Box 8)
Box 8 is the heart of the petition: a sworn narrative of what happened. Write in the first person, in chronological order, starting with the most recent incident and working back. Include dates, locations, exact words spoken, physical actions, injuries, and witnesses. Aisha writes: “On 03/02/2026, at our home at 1422 Pine St, Tacoma, the respondent grabbed my wrist, pushed me against the wall, and said, ‘If you leave I will kill you.’ Tacoma Police responded; report #2026-12345.”
The nuance is that you may attach extra pages labeled “Continuation of Box 8” if you run out of space — and most strong petitions do. The mistake is writing vague conclusions like “he is abusive” without specific incidents; judges deny these because they cannot make findings on conclusions. The misconception is that you must include every incident over 10 years — focus on the recent and severe, not exhaustive history.
Firearms Disclosure (Box 9)
Box 9 asks whether the respondent owns, possesses, or has access to firearms, ammunition, or a concealed pistol license. Check yes or no, and list every firearm you know of by type and location. Janet writes: “Yes — one Glock 19 handgun stored in the bedroom closet; one Remington 870 shotgun in the garage; concealed pistol license issued in Pierce County.”
The nuance is that under RCW 9.41.800, the court must order surrender if a DVPO is granted; your disclosure makes that order enforceable. The mistake is checking “unknown” when you have actually seen guns in the home, which weakens the surrender order. The misconception is that disclosing firearms triggers retaliation — the law specifically authorizes law enforcement to seize them quickly to prevent that.
Requested Relief (Box 10)
Box 10 is a checklist of specific protections you want. You may check any or all of: no contact, stay-away distances, exclusion from a residence, no-surveillance, surrender of weapons, possession of pets, use of a vehicle, and counseling. Sofia checks no contact, 1,000-foot stay-away from her home and workplace, exclusion from the shared apartment, surrender of all firearms, and possession of the family dog.
The nuance is that you may request anything reasonably necessary to keep you safe under RCW 7.105.310, even if the form does not list it — write it on the “other relief requested” line. The mistake is checking only “no contact” and missing the stay-away distance, which lets the respondent stand 10 feet from your front door legally. The misconception is that the judge will add protections for you — they will not; you must request each one.
Petitioner Signature and Declaration (Box 11)
Box 11 is the declaration under penalty of perjury under RCW 9A.72.085. Sign, print your name, date, and write the city and state where you signed. Carlos signs at “Spokane, Washington” on 05/22/2026.
The nuance is that the declaration replaces a notarized affidavit, so you do not need a notary. The mistake is signing without dating, which makes the declaration unsworn and unusable. The misconception is that you can sign on behalf of an adult family member — only the petitioner or a court-appointed guardian may sign.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1 — Maria Lopez: DVPO with Children and Firearms
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | KING County Superior Court |
| Box 1 Petitioner Name | MARIA ELENA LOPEZ |
| Box 2 DOB | 07/19/1988 |
| Box 3 Address | c/o LifeWire, P.O. Box 6398, Bellevue, WA 98008 |
| Box 4 Respondent | DANIEL R. LOPEZ |
| Box 5 Identifiers | DOB 02/04/1986, male, 6‘1”, 215 lbs, black hair, brown eyes |
| Box 6 Relationship / Order | Spouse — DVPO |
| Box 7 Children | Jacob Lopez, age 7; Emma Lopez, age 4 |
| Box 8 Narrative | 03/02/2026 incident with police report #KCSO-2026-44218 |
| Box 9 Firearms | Yes — Glock 19 and Remington 870 |
| Box 10 Relief | No contact, 1,000 ft stay-away, exclusion from home, surrender of firearms, temporary custody |
| Box 11 Signature | Signed Bellevue, WA, 05/22/2026 |
Scenario 2 — Aisha Khan: Stalking Protection Order, College Student
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | WHATCOM County Superior Court |
| Box 1 Petitioner Name | AISHA MOHAMMED KHAN |
| Box 2 DOB | 11/30/2004 |
| Box 3 Address | Western WA University Dean of Students Office, 516 High St, Bellingham, WA 98225 |
| Box 4 Respondent | TYLER J. BRENNAN |
| Box 5 Identifiers | DOB approx 2003, male, 5‘9”, 165 lbs, blond hair, blue eyes |
| Box 6 Relationship / Order | Former classmate — Stalking Protection Order |
| Box 7 Children | None |
| Box 8 Narrative | 47 unwanted texts between 04/01–05/15/2026; followed petitioner to library on 05/12; campus police report #WWU-26-0921 |
| Box 9 Firearms | Unknown |
| Box 10 Relief | No contact, 500 ft stay-away from dorm and classes, no surveillance, no third-party contact |
| Box 11 Signature | Signed Bellingham, WA, 05/22/2026 |
Scenario 3 — Carlos Ramirez: Vulnerable Adult Protection Order for His Mother
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | SPOKANE County Superior Court |
| Box 1 Petitioner Name | CARLOS RAMIREZ on behalf of ROSA RAMIREZ |
| Box 2 DOB | Carlos 04/22/1990; Rosa 06/15/1948 |
| Box 3 Address | Carlos’s home, 2244 N Monroe St, Spokane, WA 99205 |
| Box 4 Respondent | KEVIN T. WALKER, in-home caregiver |
| Box 5 Identifiers | DOB 08/12/1979, male, 5‘10”, 200 lbs, tattoo on left neck |
| Box 6 Relationship / Order | Caregiver — Vulnerable Adult Protection Order |
| Box 7 Children | None |
| Box 8 Narrative | Withdrew $14,800 from Rosa’s account 04/10/2026; APS referral #2026-7781 |
| Box 9 Firearms | No |
| Box 10 Relief | No contact, no financial transactions, return of withdrawn funds, surrender of debit card |
| Box 11 Signature | Signed Spokane, WA, 05/22/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
You may file Form PRO 05 through three channels in Washington, and each has different fees, processing times, and proof requirements.
In person at the County Superior Court Clerk is the fastest channel because the clerk presents your petition to a judge the same day for a Temporary Protection Order. There is no filing fee for DVPO, SAPO, SPO, VAPO, and ERPO under RCW 7.105.100; AHPO between non-intimate parties may have a $93 fee that is waivable under GR 34. Bring three sets of the packet and ask for a stamped copy as your proof of filing.
Online through the Washington Protection Order portal is available 24/7 and routes the petition to your county within minutes. Same-day judicial review applies during business hours; petitions submitted after 5 PM are reviewed the next business day. The portal emails you a confirmation receipt that serves as proof of filing — save the PDF.
By mail is allowed by some counties but is the slowest channel and not recommended for emergencies. Send the original plus two copies and a self-addressed stamped envelope to your county clerk; expect 5–10 business days. Service on the respondent is performed free by the county sheriff or a designated law enforcement officer once the petition is accepted, and you should never serve the respondent yourself.
What Happens After You File
Within hours of filing, a judge or commissioner reviews your petition ex parte and decides whether to issue a Temporary Protection Order good for up to 14 days under RCW 7.105.305. If granted, the temporary order takes effect the moment the respondent is served and a full hearing is set.
At the full hearing, both parties appear and present evidence. Hearings are often by Zoom; check your county’s local rules on the Washington Courts Court Directory. The judge may issue a final order for up to one year (or longer for SAPO and certain DVPOs), modify the temporary order, or deny the petition.
After issuance, the order is entered into the Washington Crime Information Center (WACIC) and the federal NCIC database within 24 hours. Violations are a gross misdemeanor on first offense and a Class C felony on a second offense or with a weapon, prosecutable under RCW 7.105.450.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Leaving the respondent’s date of birth blank. Service fails because the sheriff cannot positively identify the person.
- Writing vague incidents like “he is scary.” Judges cannot make findings on conclusions and will deny the temporary order.
- Listing your home address when the respondent does not know it. You expose your location in a public record served on the respondent.
- Checking the wrong order type (AHPO instead of DVPO). You lose mandatory firearm surrender and parenting-plan authority.
- Forgetting to list minor children in Box 7. The order will not protect them, and the respondent can lawfully contact them.
- Skipping the firearms disclosure in Box 9. The court cannot order surrender of weapons it does not know exist.
- Filing in the wrong court level (District instead of Superior for VAPO). The petition is rejected and you start over.
- Bringing only one copy. The clerk needs three: original, service copy, and your stamped copy.
- Signing without dating. The declaration becomes unsworn and the petition is unusable.
- Missing the full-hearing date. The temporary order expires automatically and the case is dismissed.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do use the most current revision of the form because outdated versions miss firearm-surrender language.
- Do write incidents in chronological order so the judge can follow the pattern.
- Do attach screenshots, photos, and police reports as numbered exhibits because evidence converts a maybe into a yes.
- Do request specific stay-away distances in feet because vague distances are unenforceable.
- Do keep copies of everything you file because clerks lose paper.
- Do use a safe address because public records are public.
- Don’t serve the respondent yourself because doing so is dangerous and procedurally invalid.
- Don’t discuss the case on social media because the respondent’s lawyer will screenshot it.
- Don’t leave any field blank; write “unknown” instead, because blanks look like neglect.
- Don’t miss your hearing because absence equals dismissal.
- Don’t exaggerate facts because perjury under RCW 9A.72.085 destroys your credibility.
- Don’t contact the respondent after filing because mutual contact undermines your fear-based showing.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
- Pro of pro se: Free or near-free because no attorney fees apply.
- Pro of pro se: Fast — you can file the same day you decide to act.
- Pro of pro se: Full control of your narrative because you write every word.
- Pro of advocate help: Trained advocates from groups like WSCADV help you write a stronger declaration without giving legal advice.
- Pro of attorney help: Lawyers cross-examine the respondent at the hearing and handle appeals.
- Con of pro se: Higher risk of procedural rejection because you do not know local rules.
- Con of pro se: Emotional toll of facing the respondent in court without support.
- Con of advocate help: Advocates cannot represent you in court because of unauthorized practice rules.
- Con of attorney help: Costs $1,500–$5,000 for a contested hearing.
- Con of attorney help: May slow filing while you find counsel, costing you the temporary order window.
Filing by Paper vs. Online Portal
| Dimension | Paper at Clerk | Online Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Hours available | M–F business hours | 24/7 |
| Same-day TPO review | Yes, in person | Yes during business hours |
| Cost | Free for most order types | Free |
| Proof of filing | Stamped copy | Emailed confirmation PDF |
| Best for | Filers without reliable internet | Filers needing privacy and speed |
FAQs
Is there a fee to file Form PRO 05?
No. DVPO, SAPO, SPO, VAPO, and ERPO petitions are fee-free statewide under RCW 7.105.100. AHPO between non-intimate parties may carry a fee unless waived under GR 34.
Do I need a lawyer to file this petition?
No. Most petitioners file pro se using the Washington Courts forms library or the statewide protection order portal, and judges expect self-represented parties.
Can I file if I don’t know the respondent’s exact birthdate?
Yes. Write “approx” with your best estimate in Box 5 because partial information is better than blank, but exact data speeds service.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in Box 1?
Yes, use your full legal name as printed on your government ID, and list any prior names on the alias line so court records match across systems.
Can a 16-year-old file without a parent?
Yes for SAPO, SPO, AHPO, and ERPO under RCW 7.105.100. DVPO requires a parent or guardian unless the youth is a current or former intimate partner of the respondent.
Will the respondent see my home address?
No, if you list a safe address in Box 3 and file the Confidential Information Form. The respondent only receives the public petition, not your protected contact info.
Can I include my pet in the order?
Yes. Box 10 lets you request possession of pets and prohibit harm to animals under RCW 7.105.310.
How long does a final protection order last?
Yes to long durations: DVPOs can be permanent in many cases, SAPOs default to a minimum of two years, and other orders last up to one year and may be renewed.
Do I need to notarize the petition?
No. The declaration in Box 11 is signed under penalty of perjury under RCW 9A.72.085, which replaces notarization.
What if I check the wrong order type box?
Yes, you can amend before the hearing or ask the judge to convert the order, but you risk losing same-day TPO protections in the original type.
Will the sheriff really serve the respondent for free?
Yes. Service is free for protection orders in Washington and is performed by the county sheriff or designated law enforcement under RCW 7.105.150.
Can I bring witnesses to the full hearing?
Yes. You may bring witnesses, exhibits, and an advocate, and you may also request that the respondent be excluded from your live testimony in domestic violence cases.
What happens if the respondent violates the order?
Yes, violations are criminal: a gross misdemeanor on first offense and a Class C felony with priors or weapons under RCW 7.105.450. Call 911 immediately.
Can I refile if my petition is denied?
Yes. A denial without prejudice lets you refile with new facts or stronger evidence, and many petitioners succeed on the second filing after gathering police reports.
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