Assigned Counsel & Court Services: Protection Orders

Protection Orders the Superior Court handles include:

***If your situation does not fit the below descriptions, check with our office so we can determine if you should contact District Court. Superior Court DOES NOT handle neighbor disputes.***

• Domestic Violence Protection Order:  Petitioner/Respondent are currently married, currently living together, or have a child in common.
• Anti-Harassment Order:  Petitioner/Respondent are currently married, currently living together, have a child in common, OR if a minor is filing against a minor.
• Sexual Assault Protection Order:  Petitioner/Respondent are currently married, currently living together, have a child in common, OR respondent is a minor
• Vulnerable Adult Protection Order : You are petitioning on behalf of a vulnerable adult
• Renewal of Existing Civil Protection Order   

Options 2 and 3 Effective January 3, 2023

Forms are available in dual languages on the States website. Located on the right side of the screen under "Translated Forms".

 Steps to Obtain a Protection Order:
Option #1 - File In Person 

• Go to the 3rd floor of the Courthouse, Suite 304, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham and obtain the application materials OR download, print, and fill them out before coming in (PDF version or Word version)
• Return completed application materials to Room 304.
• A court employee will file the case, assign a court date and obtain judicial decision.
• The court employee will make copies for you and also distribute copies to appropriate law enforcement agencies.

*If you need to renew an existing Civil Protection Order, please fill out these packets: PDF version or Word version. Remember to include your case number!*

*** If you are an attorney filing a CPO, you are responsible for filing out all CPO documents, to include the Temporary Protection Order and Denial Order, as well as all orders to be presented for court hearings ***

Option #2 - File Via Email:  

• Open and fill out the CPO Documents below. There is a PDF version which will need to be downloaded and printed, and a Word version that can be filled out on your computer:
  • Law Enforcement and Confidential Information (PDF)(Word)
  • Petition for Protection Order (PDF)(Word)
• Email completed documents to this email address ([email protected])

Upon receipt our Assigned Counsel Clerk will print out your documents and hand deliver them to our Judicial Officers for consideration. They will email you the outcome and signed documents. Please note, if a Temporary Protection Order is granted, it will have your court date and time on the font page of the order.

*** If you are an attorney filing a CPO, you are responsible for filing out all CPO documents, to include the Temporary Protection Order and Denial Order, as well as all orders to be presented for court hearings ***

Option #3 - File Via Mail:

• Please follow all steps under Option #2 to download and print your documents. Mail your documents to this address:

Whatcom County Superior Court
Attn: Assigned Counsel
311 Grand Ave., Suite 301
Bellingham, WA 98225

• Assigned Counsel will call you with the results and will mail you a certified copy of your order if granted, or email you copies if you prefer.  

*** If you are an attorney filing a CPO, you are responsible for filing out all CPO documents, to include the Temporary Protection Order and Denial Order, as well as all orders to be presented for court hearings ***