Protection Orders

Notice: To file for a temporary protection order please use one of the below options:

1. Drop off in office:

  1. Forms are available at the Protection Order Help Center office located on the 3rd floor of the Second Judicial District Court, Family Division, 1 S. Sierra Street, Reno, Nevada. Once completed (either in office or at home), forms can be turned in, reviewed for completeness, and then filed by court staff. Walk-ins are acceptable, and patrons are helped on a first come, first serve basis. See #4 below to schedule an appointment to secure a specific time slot.

2. Online through an eFlex account:

  1. Please review the Instructional Video below.

3. Email the Protection Order Help Center your application:

  1. POHC@washoecourts.us
  2. Forms needed: Confidential information sheet, Application for a TPO, Civil instruction sheet, and UCCJEA (only if applicant and adverse party share children)

4. Contact Safe Embrace or the Domestic Violence Resource Center to schedule an appointment for assistance with completing and filing your application:

  1. Safe Embrace - (775) 322-3466 or (775) 324-3766
  2. Domestic Violence Resource Center (DVRC) - (775) 329-4150

5. Use the guided interview on the State of Nevada Self-Help Center website to prepare your forms. Once you are finished, save the forms, and email them to POHC@washoecourts.us.

Instructional Videos

1 South Sierra Building Entrance

Protection Order Help Center

If you feel you are in immediate danger, please call 911

The Protection Order Help Center is located in Room 308 on the third floor of the Second Judicial District Court, Family Division, at 1 S. Sierra Street, Reno, NV, 89501. Application assistance is available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to assist applicants in applying for a Temporary Order for Protection Against Domestic Violence (T.P.O.).

Any person who believes she or he has been, or might become a victim of Domestic Violence may ask the Second Judicial District Court for a T.P.O. For any questions you have about the process, please contact the Protection Order Help Center at (775) 328-3127 or email to: POHC@washoecourts.us.

Temporary Protection Order Guidelines

In order to be eligible for a T.P.O., the applicant must have a DOMESTIC RELATIONSHIP with the other party, as defined by statute (NRS 33.018). A domestic relationship includes:

  • A relationship by BLOOD (father, mother, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, etc.)
  • A relationship by MARRIAGE (spouse, former spouse, mother-in-law, father-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, etc.)
  • A relationship created by having at least one CHILD IN COMMON, whether the parties have lived together or not.
  • A person who has been appointed the custodian or legal guardian for the person's minor child.
  • A DATING RELATIONSHIP (either current or past). A "dating relationship" means "frequent, intimate associations primarily characterized by the expectation of affectional or sexual involvement." The term does not include a casual relationship or an ordinary association between person in a business or social context. ((NRS 33.018(2)). Therefore, an employer/employee relationship is excluded from the T.P.O. process.

The provisions of this section do not apply to:

  • Siblings, except those siblings who are in a custodial or guardianship relationship with each other; or
  • Cousins, except those cousins who are in a custodial or guardianship relationship with each other.

There must also have been an act of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE against the Applicant as defined by statute (NRS 33.018). The act of abuse must have been perpetrated by a person against the Applicant or the minor child of the Applicant. An act of domestic abuse includes:

  • A BATTERY
  • An ASSAULT
  • Coercion pursuant to NRS 207.190
  • A SEXUAL ASSAULT
  • A KNOWING, PURPOSEFUL, OR RECKLESS COURSE OF CONDUCT INTENDED TO HARASS THE OTHER. Such conduct may include, but is not limited to:
    • Stalking
    • Arson
    • Trespassing
    • Larceny
    • Destruction of private property
    • Carrying a concealed weapon without a permit
    • Injuring or Killing an Animal
    • Burglary
    • An invasion of the home
  • A False Imprisonment
  • Pandering
  • A Kidnapping
  • An attempt or solicitation to commit an offense described above

If your relationship to the other party is not one of the above or you have not been a victim of one of the above acts of domestic violence, you may be able to seek a protection order against stalking or harassment at justice court. Inquire at Reno Justice Court (775) 325-6500, Sparks Justice Court (775) 353-7602, or Incline Village/Crystal Bay Justice Court (775) 832-4100 to determine your eligibility

Apply for a Temporary Protection Order

Part One - Apply. Fill out the required forms and give them to the court.

You must complete the following forms to apply for a Protection Order:
  1. Confidential Information Sheet
  2. Application for Protection Order Against Domestic Violence
  3. Civil Instruction Sheet

** Note: Judicial officers reviewing TPO applications do not have access to police reports. **

If you have minor children with the adverse party or are filing on behalf of minor children, you must also complete the following form:

  1. UCCJEA Declaration

Forms are available for free at the Second Judicial District Court. There are no filing fees to apply for a T.P.O.

Completed forms can be electronically filed through eFlex or brought to the Second Judicial District Court at 75 Court Street or 1 S. Sierra Street, Reno, Nevada. For more information please contact the Protection Order Help Center, (775) 328-3127, POHC@washoecourts.us, 1 S. Sierra Street, Room 308, Reno, Nevada 89501.

Part Two - Wait for Review. The Judicial Officer will grant, deny, or set a hearing.

  • If the Judicial Officer needs additional information about the application, the court may contact you for an interview.
  • The court will contact you when the Judicial Officer makes a ruling on your application.
  • If the Judicial Officer sets a hearing, you and the adverse party will be notified of the hearing date and time, and the court will hear from both you and the adverse party. At the end of the hearing, the Judicial Officer will either grant or deny your application.
    • A text message reminder with hearing details will be sent to a party who has provided the court an active cell phone number with text capability. Please contact the Protection Order Help Center at POHC@washoecourts.us or by phone at (775) 328-3127 if you have not provided a cell phone number and would like to receive text message reminders, you want to confirm the court has your current contact information, or you wish to opt-out of this service.
  • If the Judicial Officer grants your application, without a hearing, a T.P.O. will be issued and it must be personally served on the adverse party. (See Part Three for more information on serving the adverse party.)
  • If the Judicial Officer denies your application, an order with the basis for denial will be issued. A denied application does not mean you cannot re-apply in the future. Click here for the forms, if you wish to file an Objection to the Commissioner’s Recommendation.

Part Three - Notify the adverse party.

  • If the application is granted or set for hearing, the adverse party will need to be personally served with a copy of your application and either the T.P.O. or the Order setting hearing.
  • If you have a current Washoe County address (home or work) for the adverse party, you may complete a Sheriff's Request for Civil Service and the Court will transmit the service packet to the Civil Division of the Washoe County Sheriff by the next business day.
  • Orders that require the adverse party to be removed from a shared residence must be taken in person to the Civil Division of the Washoe County Sheriff at 911 Parr Blvd. They are open as follows:
    Monday 7:30am - 4:00pm
    Tuesday 7:30am - 4:00pm
    Wednesday 7:45am - 4:00pm
    Thursday 7:30am - 4:00pm
    Excluding holidays
    Closed for lunch from 12:00pm to 1:00pm
    Closed Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
    Telephone hours are the same as office hours, (775) 328-3310
  • Service is not required to be completed by the Washoe County Sheriff's Office. You can choose to have an individual, other than yourself, complete personal service.
  • If the adverse party does not have an address in Washoe County, do not take the papers to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Contact the Protection Order Help Center at (775) 328-3127 or POHC@washoecourts.us for other options.
  • The adverse party has the right to contest a T.P.O. by filing a motion with the court. If they do, a hearing will be set within approximately 10 days. You must attend the hearing if you want the length of the T.P.O. extended. A T.P.O. can be extended up to two years.

Part Four - Attend extension hearing.

  • If you requested to extend the length of the T.P.O., the hearing date and time will be on the front of the Protection Order.
  • If you did not request an extension but would like to and the T.P.O. has not expired, you may request an extension by filing a motion.
  • You must appear at the hearing for the court to grant an Extended Protection Order (E.P.O.).
  • A text message reminder with hearing details will be sent to a party who has provided the court an active cell phone number with text capability. Please contact the Protection Order Help Center at POHC@washoecourts.us or by phone at (775) 328-3127 if you have not provided a cell phone number and would like to receive text message reminders, you want to confirm the court has your current contact information, or you wish to opt-out of this service.
  • If you want an advocate to accompany you, you must contact a community advocacy group.
  • The hearing is an opportunity for you and the adverse party to speak to a Judicial Officer and request an extension, modification, correction, or dissolution of the Protection Order.