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Civil Protective Order Court
File a Protection Order Online
Search for existing Civil Orders of Protection
State Forms for Protection Orders
Civil Protective Order Court is for petitions involving domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or harassment. When petitioning for a protection order, please be prepared to answer the following questions:
- What is the relationship between the parties? (i.e. spouse, child, parent, boy/girlfriend, stalking victim, etc.)
- If stalking is involved, have there been 2 or more incidents?
- Do the allegations involve domestic violence or sexual assault?
- Are there other court cases involving these parties in another court? (i.e. divorce or paternity cases)
Special COVID Procedures
To aid us in getting information to you as quickly as possible, if you have business before the Civil Protective Order Court, please complete the contact form with your email address. The cause number and hearing date are not required, but are helpful. Thank you for helping us contact you more efficiently during this time of COVID.
History
Before 2013, Protective Orders could be filed in any court in St. Joseph County but were predominantly filed in Small Claims Court. In 2013, the St. Joseph County Courts secured a grant from the Indiana Supreme Court Family Court Project to develop and implement a Civil Protective Order (CPO) Court to address domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking within our county. The CPO Court became fully operational on November 1, 2013.
Where to turn in your Protection Order Paperwork
After filling out the petition, please take it to:
| Courthouse 1, Room 151 101 S. Main Street. Phone: (574) 235-9661 Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday |
Victim Advocate Resources
You are also welcome to call or visit one of the community resources below for assistance with filling out the forms:
| Family Justice Center of St. Joseph County 533 North Niles Ave., South Bend Phone: (574) 234-6900 Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday |
| YWCA North Central Indiana 1102 S. Fellows St., South Bend Phone: (574) 233-9491 |
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Physical Address
101 S Main Street
Room 151
South Bend, IN 46601
Phone: (574) 235-9661