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Quick answer

File a domestic violence restraining order in Contra Costa County: Martinez, Richmond, and Pittsburg filing windows, forms, fees, and clinics. Domestic violence restraining-order requests in Contra Costa County are filed with Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa. The court’s own website is the source for current filing location, hours, and local steps.

Filing in Contra Costa County

How to File a Domestic Violence Restraining Order in Contra Costa County, California

File a domestic violence restraining order in Contra Costa County: Martinez, Richmond, and Pittsburg filing windows, forms, fees, and clinics.

Direct answer

Where: Domestic violence restraining-order papers in Contra Costa County are filed with Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa. The court's published filing location includes All family law cases, including domestic violence restraining orders, are filed at the Spinetta Family Law Center, 751 Pine Street, Martinez, CA. The court describes online portal filing on its website. Hours: Published hours or filing windows include All family law cases, including domestic violence restraining orders, are filed at the Spinetta Family Law Center, 751 Pine Street, Martinez, CA. Fee: There is no statewide filing fee for the initial DVRO request (Fam. Code § 6222). Confirm every detail on the court’s own page before you travel.

For the full California process with official citations, see How to file a domestic violence restraining order in California.

Where to file in Contra Costa County

Domestic violence restraining-order requests in Contra Costa County are filed with Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa. The court’s own website is the source for current filing location, hours, and local steps.

The court describes The court says domestic violence restraining orders may be submitted through its e-filing portal. It also offers an online interview that builds the DVRO forms for you to download. (https://contracosta.courts.ca.gov/online-services/court-e-filing-services).

  • All family law cases, including domestic violence restraining orders, are filed at the Spinetta Family Law Center, 751 Pine Street, Martinez, CA. You can turn papers in there in person or in the drop box at the front of the building, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or mail them to Family Law, 751 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553.
  • The Richmond courthouse (George D. Carroll Courthouse, 100 37th Street) and the Pittsburg courthouse (Richard E. Arnason Justice Center, 1000 Center Drive) take DVRO papers only from people who meet all of the court’s listed conditions: living in West or East County, not married to the other person, and no children with them. Everyone else files in Martinez.
  • The court’s page says DVRO papers are picked up in person at the courthouse where they were turned in, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and that family court staff call when orders are ready.
  • The court has specially trained clerks at its restraining order filing windows who can give out forms, answer basic questions and share local resources.

The forms you'll need

The court offers a free online document-preparation program (Odyssey Guide & File) that builds the forms from your answers.

  • DV-100: the request for the restraining order itself; describes what happened and what protection you need.
  • DV-109: notice of the court hearing date.
  • DV-110: the temporary restraining order a judge can grant before the hearing.
  • CLETS-001: confidential information for law enforcement (kept private from the other party).
  • DV-105: if the case involves minor children, request custody and visitation orders on this form (file it with the initial packet when children are involved).
  • DV-120: the form the other party uses to respond; don't fill this one out yourself.

What it costs

Per the court's own materials: filing an application for a domestic violence restraining order is free: no court fees are charged. If any other fee comes up that you can't afford, FW-001 asks the court to waive it.

What happens after you file

Under Fam. Code § 6326, a judge issues or denies an ex parte request the same court day it is submitted, or the next court day if filed too late for review that day. If a temporary order is granted or denied, the hearing date is on the stamped DV-109 (Fam. Code § 242). The other party must be legally served with the papers before the hearing. Specially trained clerks at the restraining-order windows can answer questions and share information about local resources.

Local help in Contra Costa County

Self-Help Resource Center Self-help page: https://contracosta.courts.ca.gov/self-help

Questions people ask next

How long does it take?

The judge's initial review is typically within 24 hours, and the hearing is usually scheduled within 21 days.

Do I need a lawyer?

No. The court keeps specially trained clerks at every restraining-order window to help with forms and questions, and free clinics walk you through the process.

What if I can't afford the fee?

There is no fee to file a domestic violence restraining order in Contra Costa County. Other court fees can be waived with FW-001.

What if I'm in danger right now?

Call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 is free, confidential, and open 24/7.

Can I file in Spanish?

Many courts offer Spanish forms and help. Ask at the restraining-order window which resources are available.

Official sources

Open the current source before acting. Court forms and county procedures can change.

Ready for the document step?

Use the guide to understand the process, then review every field before a packet leaves your hands.

One payment per case: $19.99; free with a fee waiver.

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