- These cases are filed on the 3rd floor of the Kenton County Justice Center in Family Court from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday-Friday, excepting holidays.
- If there is an emergency and you need to file between 4 pm and 8 am or on weekends, please contact your local police agency.
- There is no filing fee.
- Emergency Protective Order (EPO) Eligibility Criteria (LINK TO PAGE)
If you DO NOT meet the above criteria, you may wish to pursue criminal charges. You may contact the Kenton County Attorney at 859-491-0600. The Kenton County Attorney’s office is located in the Kenton County Building, 303 Court Street, Room 307, Covington, Kentucky 41011, available for consult Tuesday-Friday, 1:30 pm-4:30 pm.
- Information need to complete an Emergency Protective Order:
In order for service to be perfected, we must have at least one of the following in regards to the respondent; date of birth, social security number, driver’s license number. A physical address of the respondent is also needed. Whether the address be work, home, jail, or a place where the respondent is currently staying.
To amend a prior Domestic Violence Order
- Fill out the form: AMEND A PRIOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ORDER AOC FORM 275.6
- You will be given a hearing date in which you must attend. The amendment you request is not in effect unless you are told by the Judge that your motion to amend has been granted.
Violation of a Protective Order:
You must start at the Kenton County Attorney’s Office @303 Court Street, 3rd floor, Covington, KY 41011. You will fill out an affidavit with the County Attorney and then proceed to the Kenton County Justice Center, Kenton Circuit Clerk’s Office, 3rd floor Domestic Violence.
Kenton County Domestic Violence Protocol
To be notified of service or release from jail
VINE (Victim Information & Notification Everyday) 1-800-511-1670
Family Court Rules of Procedure and Practice
Eligibility Criteria
Kentucky law allows the Court to issue a protective order against a named individual to protect you and/or your minor child from violence. Before the Court can issue an emergency order you must fulfill three (3) requirements:
1. You must be a resident of Kenton County or have fled to Kenton County as a safe place.
2. You must have a Domestic Relationship with the person from whom you are seeking protection. Kentucky law defines “domestic violence” as follows:
a. Spouse or former spouse
b. Person with whom you live or formally lived (as an unmarried couple)
c. Person with whom you have an alleged child in common
d. Parent, grandparent, child or step-child
e. Any person living in the same household as a child if the child is the alleged victim.
3. There must be an immediate and present danger of Domestic Violence and Abuse. This means physical injury, sexual abuse, assault or the threat of infliction of fear of imminent physical injury, sexual abuse or assault. This means you may qualify for a protective order if you or your minor child are actually physically injured, assaulted or sexually abused or if the person says or acts like he/she is going to physically injure, sexually abuse or assault you or your minor child.
If the Court finds that all three (3) of these requirements are met, it will issue an Emergency Protective Order and give you a date to return for a hearing. You must return for this hearing. If the Court finds that there is not an immediate and present danger of domestic violence but you otherwise qualify for a protective order, the Court may issue a summons for a hearing date to determine if you will get a protective order. Again, you must return for this hearing. To facilitate notification of service or release from jail, you should register for VINE (Victim Information & Notification Everyday) by calling 1-800-511-1670 or going online at www.vinelink.com
You may also wish to discuss the facts of your case with the local police or with the Kenton County Attorney’s Office to pursue criminal charges. You may contact the County Attorney at 859-491-0600. The Office is located in the Kenton County Building, 303 Court Street, Room 307, Covington, Kentucky. Attorneys are available for consultation Tuesday-Friday, 1:30pm-4:30pm.
This document provided by Kenton County Attorney Garry L. Edmondson. 7/15/10
***Reminder – Our office is prohibited from providing legal advice. You may contact the Northern Kentucky Bar Association (Lawyer Referral Service) @ 859-781-1525 or Legal Aid of the Bluegrass (Pro-Bono) @ 859-431-8200, or contact a private attorney for further information.