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Legal Information: West Virginia

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
April 1, 2024

Step 2. Pick up the forms.

At the courthouse, find the clerk or magistrate and say that you want to file for a domestic violence protective order. You can also ask the clerk or magistrate if the local domestic violence program has an advocate who comes to the courthouse and how to get in touch with that person.

The clerk will give you the forms you need to file a “petition” for a protective order. On the petition you will be the “petitioner” and the abuser will be the “respondent.”

The forms are provided to you at no charge. There are no filing fees or fees you need to pay to get your abuser served with the paperwork.

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