Knowledge Base

How to Apply for a Protection Order

After-Hours Emergency Domestic Violence Order

 (1) The following eligibility conditions MUST be met in order for you to apply after- hours, if this is not after-hours please see the following options below:

• a. The suspect who committed domestic battery has just been arrested, currently in jail.
• b. It is a weekend, holiday, or after 5PM on a weekday (i.e., the court is closed) at the time that you need to apply for the order. 

(2) Call (775) 352-5000 immediately to speak to a staff member who will guide you through the process

 

Non-After Hours Temporary Protection Order (TPO) Against Domestic Violence

 (1) Fill out and a Protection Order Application in-person at the Family Court

(2) Interview with the Protection Order Advocate, who will conduct the initial screening of your case.

(3) Interview with the Court Judge, who decides whether to issue a Protection Order.

 

All other Protection Orders

(1) Fill out and submit a Protection Order Application in-person at the Justice Court*

(2) A Judge will review your application and will either grant or deny the order. The court clerk will notify you of the Judge’s decision.

 

(3) If the Protection Order is granted, you must retrieve the order from the Court and submit it to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agency for service.

 

* For a Sexual Assault Order, whether you are to apply at Family Court vs. Justice Court depends on the victim’s relationship to the suspect. If the victim has a “domestic relationship” (i.e., related by blood, marriage, living together, child in common, or dating) with the suspect, apply at Family Court. If the victim does not have a domestic relationship with the suspect, apply at Justice Court.  

What to Bring When Applying

You are NOT required to file a written police report before applying for a Protection Order.

There is NO COST associated with obtaining a Protection Order, and an attorney is NOT NECESSARY. 

The following items aren’t required to obtain a Protection Order.  However, if any apply to your situation and you have them available, it is suggested that you bring:

• Name and badge number of Police Officer(s) responding to this or prior incident(s)

• Copy of police reports (if available) from prior incident(s)

• Witnesses (or their contact information) to this or prior incident(s)

• Emergency room report(s), photographs of injuries for this or prior incident(s)

• Photographs of property damage caused by the suspect

• Documentation of phone calls, notes, and/or written threats made by the suspect

 

For a complete online overview, please visit this link. 

For additional information please contact one of the followings courts:

 

Family Court Washoe County Courthouse

One South Sirerra Street

Room 308, Third Floor

Reno, NV 89501

(775) 328 – 3468

Mon. – Thurs. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Fri. - 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

 

Reno Justice Court

One South Sierra St.

Reno NV 89501

(775) 325-6501

Mon.—Thurs. 8AM-5PM

 

Sparks Justice Court

Across the street from SPD

1675 E. Prater Way, Suite 107

Sparks, NV 89434

(775) 353-7600

Mon.-Thurs. 8AM-5PM