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.

Helpful Websites

File a Protection Order Online

Search for existing civil orders of protection

State Forms for Protection Orders

Helpful Tips

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:

1. What is the relationship between the parties? (i.e. spouse, child, parent, boy/girlfriend, stalking victim, etc.)
2. If stalking is involved, have there been 2 or more incidents?
3. Do the allegations involve domestic violence or sexual assault?
4. Are there other court cases involving these parties in another court? (i.e. divorce or paternity cases)

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