Washington Hope Card Program
The new Washington Hope Card is an easy to carry version of a domestic violence protection order. Anyone who has obtained a protection order may request the credit card sized Hope Card from the Washington Court administrative office in Olympia. More information and an online application form is available at the Washington Court’s web page for the Hope Card, https://www.courts.wa.gov/hopecard/.
The Hope Card makes it easier to carry proof of an order you have obtained from a county court, such as the Clallam County Superior or District Courts It eliminates the need to carry a copy of the full protection order.
There is no charge for the Hope Card. It is valid so long as the protection is valid. Most protection orders last for one year, but they can be shorter or longer, The length of an order is usually stated on the first page of the full order.
Please note, applying for a Hope Card is not allowed until after a protection order is obtained from a judge. Hope Cards are not available for Temporary Protection Orders, and applying for a Hope Card will not start the process of getting a protection order. To get a protection order you need to file a Petition for a Protection order, or file a petition and motion for an order in an existing law suit such as a divorce, parenting plan, or child support case. Forms are available at the Washington Courts web page and any domestic violence agency can help you fill out the forms and offer help for free. Any domestic violence agency can serve in Clallam County. Local agencies include Mariposa House, Healthy Families, Lower Elwha Klallam Domestic Violence Program, and Dove House.
Hope Cards are available for:
- Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO)
- Sexual Assault Protection Order (SAPO)
- Stalking Protection Order (SPO)
- Vulnerable Adult Protection Order (VAPO)
- Anti-Harassment Protection Order (AHPO)
In Washington, “domestic violence” includes physical and emotional violence or aggression and coercive control.
For more information about Hope Cards, go to https://www.courts.wa.gov/hopecard/.