Domestic Violence Restraining Orders

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Overview

There are different types of restraining orders. A domestic violence restraining order can be requested against someone you have dated or had an intimate relationship with, including a spouse or domestic partner, or someone you live or lived with (more than roommates). It can also be requested against a close relative, such as your child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling, including in-laws.

A domestic violence restraining order can be granted against someone who has abused you or your children. Abuse can be physical, emotional, or sexual, and it can happen anywhere, including online. Abuse also includes controlling behavior, such as keeping you from money or basic needs, or isolating you from friends or family.

Requesting a Domestic Violence Restraining Order

Requesting a restraining order can feel overwhelming, but there are resources to help. The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains each step of asking for a domestic violence restraining order.

Domestic Violence Restraining Orders in California

Online Submission Process

The court provides the ability to submit your domestic violence and gun violence restraining order documents online.

  • Prepare Your Documents

    The court, in partnership with the Judicial Council of California and LawHelp Interactive, offers an online program that helps you fill out the forms needed to request a domestic violence restraining order. The program asks you a series of questions and prepares your forms based on your answers. It does not file your forms for you. When you finish, save the completed forms and return to this page to submit them electronically, or print them and file them with the clerk.

    • Time needed: 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your situation. If you have children and are asking for child or spousal support, plan on about 2 hours.
    • Create an account (recommended): An account is not required, but it lets you save your progress and return later.
    • Time limit: The program may time out after 2 hours without warning. If you have an account, your answers are saved; if not, you will need to start over.

    Get Started: Request a DVRO

    When you select Get Started, you will leave the court's website and go to LawHelp Interactive, a partner website subject to its own terms and privacy policy.

    You can also complete the required forms without the program. The California Courts Self-Help Guide lists the required forms and explains steps for specific situations, such as child custody, parenting time, child and spousal support, and serving the other party.

    Domestic Violence Restraining Orders in California

  • Online Submission System

    Once you have prepared and saved your documents, use the Domestic Violence & Gun Violence Restraining Order Online Submission System to upload and submit them to the court.

    Domestic Violence & Gun Violence Restraining Order Online Submission System

    You can also file your forms in person with the clerk's office at the Hall of Justice. There is no fee to file these documents.

  • After Submission

    After you file your forms, a judge will review your papers and decide whether to grant temporary orders, if you asked for them. Once the judge decides, you will receive your papers back from the court. Read them carefully to see what the judge ordered.

    Serving the Other Party

    Someone must give the other party a copy of your court papers. This is called serving. You cannot serve the papers yourself. Think about your safety when choosing a server.

    • Sheriff's Office: The Lassen County Sheriff's Office will serve domestic violence restraining order papers for free. Call (530) 251-8014 or visit the Sheriff's Office Civil page.
    • Someone else: You may instead use a professional process server, or someone you know who is 18 or older and not part of your case. For a list of registered process servers, see the Lassen County Clerk's page.

    For information on serving, going to court, and finishing your case, see the Self-Help Guide.

    Restraining Order Process for Domestic Violence Cases

    You may appear remotely at your hearing. For Zoom connection details, see the Domestic Violence & Gun Violence Restraining Order Petitions section of the Zoom Appearance page.

Respond to Domestic Violence Restraining Order

If you received any of these forms, someone has asked for a restraining order against you:

  • Notice of Court Hearing (form DV-109)
  • Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order (form DV-100)
  • Temporary Restraining Order (form DV-110)

A restraining order would limit your contact with the person who asked for it. If you have a child together, it can include orders for child custody, visitation, and child support. If you are married or in a registered domestic partnership, it can include orders for spousal or partner support. A restraining order can also affect your life in other ways, including prohibiting you from having firearms and ammunition.

A judge will decide at your court hearing whether to grant the restraining order, which can last up to 5 years. If there is a temporary restraining order, you must obey it until the hearing.

To tell the judge your side, you can file a Response to Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order (form DV-120). You may also need to complete other forms or take certain actions because of the orders.

Respond to Restraining Order Papers

LawHelp Interactive, developed in partnership with the Judicial Council of California, can help you fill out your response forms by asking you a series of questions. It does not file your forms with the court. When you finish, save the completed forms and submit them through the online submission system below, or print them and file them with the clerk.

Get Started: Respond to a DVRO

When you select Get Started, you will leave the court's website and go to LawHelp Interactive, a partner website subject to its own terms and privacy policy.

Domestic Violence & Gun Violence Restraining Order Online Submission System

Safe at Home (Secretary of State)

Safe at Home is a confidential address program run by the California Secretary of State. It works best as part of an overall safety plan.

Safe at Home gives eligible participants a substitute mailing address to use instead of their home address. State, county, and city government agencies accept this address, which helps keep a participant's home address confidential. The program is available to:

  • Survivors of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, human trafficking, and elder or dependent adult abuse; and
  • Reproductive health care workers, among others.

For questions, call Safe at Home toll-free at (877) 322-5227.

Safe at Home (California Secretary of State)

External Agencies & Local Resources