Temporary Filing Process for TPOs
Please follow the steps below to file for a Temporary Protective Order. Although the Clerk of Superior Court's physical office is now open to the public, the Women's Resource Center Advocates are not on site at this time. They are still providing socially distant assistance for filing for TPOs. An email account and phone number are required for the process below:
1. FIRST: Contact the Women's Resource Center (404-370-7670) for guidance on completing the paperwork;
2. Complete all paperwork included for the TPO (see 'Required Documents' below). Make sure all documents are signed with a digital signature (example. Jane Doe would sign as /s/Jane Doe);
3. Save the completed documents. If you have any supporting documentation, save or scan those as well;
4. Email all documents to cscinfotpo@dekalbcountyga.gov. There should be a minimum of 9 documents (see 'Required Documents' below) that you have completed and attached to the email. In the subject line, type 'Request for TPO';
5. Keep checking your email and keep your phone nearby. If there are any corrections required for the TPO paperwork, the Clerk's Office will be contacting you to fix and resubmit. If no corrections are needed, the Magistrate TPO Office will be contacting you to set up a phone or video chat to review your petition (have a valid ID available to show the Judge). You DO NOT have a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) until you have a hearing with a judge who will then determine if a TPO will be granted. Hearings are held from 10:00AM - 2:00PM, Monday through Friday. If your petition is filed after 2pm, your hearing will be set for the next business day. Petitions are dismissed after two (2) business days when Petitioners fail to respond to the judge’s hearing request.
6. If you are granted a Temporary Protective Order, please review this important information regarding the TPO Hearing. If you were granted a TPO and a hearing is scheduled before July 13, 2020, review the Standing Order Governing Ex-Parte Temporary Protective Orders Set to Expire Before July 13, 2020 . You can also call 404-371-4753 for any additional updates.
Please be advised that your safety may be compromised if someone else has access to your email account. Contact the Women's Resource Center ( 404-370-7670 ).
REQUIRED DOCUMENTSFamily Violence TPO
Family Violence TPOs are between family members or parties that have lived or are currently living together. The following criteria are necessary for a Family Violence TPO:
1. The other party must live in DeKalb County in order to file the TPO
in DeKalb County. If the other party lives in another county, you
must contact the appropriate agency and Court where the other
2. You must have the other party’s complete address;
3. You must be: present or past spouses; parent of the same child/ren;
parent and child/ren; persons who used to live in the same
household; persons currently living in the same household; foster
parent and foster child; stepparent and stepchild. If none of these
apply to your situation, use the Stalking TPO paperwork;
4. There must have been an incident of violence, threats against your
life, criminal damage to your property, unlawful restraint, criminal
trespass or incidents of stalking;
5. You must be 18 years of age or have someone who is 18 years of
age or older to file the petition on your behalf;
6. The person you are filing against must be 18 years of age or older.
Required Family TPO documents (print or open links below):
Additional Required Information:
Dating Violence TPO
Dating Violence TPOs are between parties that were or are currently part of a committed romantic relationship. The following criteria are necessary for a Dating Violence TPO:
1. The other party must live in DeKalb County in order to file the TPO
in DeKalb County. If the other party lives in another county, you
must contact the appropriate agency and Court where the other
2. You must have the other party’s complete address;
3. At least one of the follwoing must apply: either party pregnant with the other
party's child; currently in a committed romantic relationship with the other
party; you and the other party are not currently in a committed romantic
relationship but were in one within the last twelve (12) months. If none of
these apply to your situation, use the Stalking or Family TPO paperwork;
4. There must have been an incident of violence, threats against your
life, criminal damage to your property, unlawful restraint, criminal
trespass or incidents of stalking;
5. You must be 18 years of age or have someone who is 18 years of
age or older to file the petition on your behalf;
6. The person you are filing against must be 18 years of age or older.
Required Dating TPO documents (print or open links below):
Additional Required Information:
Stalking TPO
Stalking TPOs cover anyone who does not qualify for the Family TPO (meaning, the parties are not family members and have never lived together). The following criteria are necessary for a Stalking TPO:
1. The other party must live in DeKalb County in order to file the TPO
in DeKalb County. If the other party lives in another county, you
must contact the appropriate agency and Court where the other
2. You must have the other party’s complete address;
3. There must have been incidents of stalking. Stalking occurs when
a person follows, places under surveillance, or contacts another
person without that person’s consent for purposes of harassment
and intimidation. One act alone generally does not constitute
4. You must be 18 years of age or have someone who is 18 to file the
petition on your behalf;
5. The person you are filing against must be 18 years of age or older.
Required Stalking TPO documents (print or open links below):
Additional Required Information:
What is a Temporary Protective Order and how can it provide relief for you?
A Temporary Protective Order is issued when the Court finds that an act of family violence or stalking has occurred between parties and there is a likelihood that future acts of violence will occur. Examples of family violence/stalking include physical, mental, and verbal abuse.
TPOs provide relief in several ways:
1. Order the party to have no contact with you in person, by phone, at
work, or anywhere (children and others that live with you may be included as protected parties);
2. Evict the other party from the family home;
3. Award temporary custody of minor children, child support, or
5. Order law enforcement to assist when the other party retrieves
belongings from the home; and/or
6. Remove firearms from other party.
All TPOs are filed against one (1) party. If you have issues with multiple parties, a TPO will need to be filed for each party. There is no cost to file a TPO.
Please carefully read and follow the guidelines below:
DeKalb County Magistrate Court Amended Press Release
Magistrate Court is suspending Non-Essential Hearings until further notice. If you have questions about your scheduled court date, please call 404-371-4753 for additional information.
Ex Parte Orders will be heard (via phone or video chat) Monday through Friday, 10:00AM - 2:00PM.
Women’s Resource Center
The Women's Resource Center can provide assistance (via phone) at:
Direct Line: 404-370-7670 (Monday through Friday, 10:00AM - 2:00PM)
24-Hour Crisis Line: 404-688-9436
(for refugee, immigrant and non-english speaking families)
Tapestri is dedicated to ending violence and oppression in immigrant and refuge communities using culturally competent and linguistically appropriate methods. As advocates for immigrants and refugees affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and exploitation, Tapestri uses education, community organizing, direct services, and advocacy to improve the lives of those it serves. If you need tapestri services immediately:
Direct Line: 404-299-2185
In certain cases, a Misdemeanor Warrant may by issued, but is not a replacement for a Temporary Protective Order. Even if a warrant is obtained, it is often suggested that you still file a Temporary Protective Order. For more information, click here.
Warrants are obtained at:
Magistrate Court Criminal Building
3630 Camp Circle/4400 Memorial Drive Complex
Decatur, GA 30032
8:30AM - midnight, 7 days a week
For additional questions:
Email our office at cscinfotpo@dekalbcountyga.gov OR contact the Women's Resource Center at (404-370-7670) .