Overview
Use an Interactive Interview to Fill Out Court Forms
An interactive interview is a free online tool that helps you fill out court forms. It asks you simple questions about your situation. You type in your answers. The program then uses your answers to fill in the court form for you.
- Forms can be filed with the court by emailing them to: DVD [at] dcsc.gov.
- Before the filing is complete, a court staff member will call you to verify the information you submitted is true and that you want to the clerk to process your paperwork.
- If you have any questions, email DVD [at] dcsc.gov or call the Clerk’s Office at 202-879-0157.
The interview does not give legal advice. It only helps you prepare the form based on what you enter. If you are not sure how to answer a question, you may want to talk to a lawyer or visit a legal clinic before submitting your form.
Interactive Interviews
The interactive interview for a Petition for a Civil Protection is being revised and not available at this time. You can download the current version from the court's website:
If the Judge Issues a Temporary Protection Order Against You:
You should obey all of the terms of that order. Remember that the order restricts your behavior not the other person’s behavior, so it is up to you to make sure that you comply with the Order. For example, if the judge orders you to stay away, you have to make sure you are not near the other person; they do not have to change their behavior so that they are not near you.
Please use this link if you want to reopen your request for a protection order.
Please use this link if you wish to change the protection order, keep the order in place longer, or get rid of the order.
Please use this link if an order was filed against you in your absence and you wish to get rid of it.
Please use this link if you need to change the court date.