# DVRO form preparation in California

> What it takes to prepare the papers for a California domestic violence restraining order, which forms JusticeOS fills in from your answers, what it costs, the free help every court offers, and how you file the finished packet with your county court.

**Direct answer.** To ask for a domestic violence restraining order in California you fill out DV-100, CLETS-001, DV-109 and DV-110 and file them with the superior court in your county. California Courts states there is no court fee and you do not have to have a lawyer. JusticeOS asks you plain questions, fills in those four forms from your answers (plus the FAM-020 cover sheet for Los Angeles cases), and runs a free check for common completeness problems. You decide what the forms say, you sign them, and you file and serve them yourself. The packet costs $19.99 once per case, or nothing with a fee waiver.

## Steps at a glance

1. Answer plain questions about you, the other person, what happened and the orders you want
2. Review every field on the filled forms and correct anything before you print
3. Run the free Clerk Check for common completeness problems
4. Print and sign the packet, then file it with the superior court in your county
5. Have an adult who is not you serve the other person before the hearing
6. Go to the hearing on the date the court writes on DV-109

## What the packet contains

California Courts lists DV-100, CLETS-001, DV-109 and DV-110 as the forms most people file to start a domestic violence restraining order case. JusticeOS fills in all four from your answers. The table shows what each form does and who completes it.

If you have children with the other person and want custody or visitation orders, California Courts says to file DV-105 with DV-100 and DV-140 with DV-110. JusticeOS does not fill in DV-105 or DV-140, so use the official California Courts versions for those two.

| Form | What it does | Who completes it | Filled in by JusticeOS |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| DV-100 | Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order: describes the abuse and the orders you ask for | You | Yes |
| CLETS-001 | Confidential Information for Law Enforcement: identifying details police need to enforce the order; not served on the other person | You | Yes |
| DV-109 | Notice of Court Hearing | You fill in names and the court address; the court adds the hearing date | Yes, your items |
| DV-110 | Temporary Restraining Order | You fill in items 1 to 3; a judge decides which orders to grant | Yes, items 1 to 3 |
| FAM-020 (Los Angeles only) | Los Angeles Superior Court family law case cover sheet | You | Yes, for Los Angeles cases |
| DV-105 and DV-140 | Request and order for child custody and visitation | You fill in DV-105; the judge completes most of DV-140 | No |

## How preparing the forms works

You answer questions in plain language, in English or Spanish, on your phone or computer. JusticeOS writes your answers into the right items on the official Judicial Council forms. Nothing goes to the court from JusticeOS. You read every field, fix anything that is wrong, and only then print.

The free Clerk Check looks for problems that commonly get papers sent back: outdated form revisions, missing party names, missing signatures and dates, and forms missing from the packet. It cannot tell you whether a judge will grant the order.

California Courts states that once you turn in your forms, the judge decides on temporary protection the same day or by the next business day.

## What it costs

The court charges nothing to file a request for a domestic violence restraining order (Fam. Code § 6222). JusticeOS charges $19.99 once per case for the packet. With a fee waiver, the same tools cost nothing. The free Clerk Check stays free whether or not you buy the packet.

## Free help from your court

California Courts states that every superior court has a Self-Help Center, that self-help programs are free for anyone who does not have their own lawyer, and that it does not matter how much money you make. Self-Help Center staff can help you with the forms you need and explain your options. They cannot give legal advice or go to court for you.

Each court also has a family law facilitator. California Courts states some facilitators help with domestic violence cases, and that a facilitator can give you the court forms and help you fill them out. The California Courts self-help guide for restraining orders is free online and takes you through the process step by step.

## Filing the packet in your county

You file the signed forms with the superior court in your county. Depending on the court, you can file in person at the clerk’s office, by e-filing, or in a drop box. Our online filing guide lists each county’s e-filing options, and the county guides give the courthouse address and self-help center for every California county.

After the judge signs, someone 18 or older who is not you has to serve the other person with copies of the papers. California Courts states the sheriff can serve them for free.

## Questions people ask next

### Where can I get help preparing restraining order papers near me?

JusticeOS works online in every California county, so you can prepare the forms from your phone or computer wherever you are. Every county court also has a Self-Help Center that helps with the forms for free, in person, by phone or online; find yours on the California Courts self-help site.

### How much does it cost to prepare DVRO papers?

The court charges no fee to file a request for a domestic violence restraining order (Fam. Code § 6222). JusticeOS charges $19.99 once per case for the packet, or nothing with a fee waiver. Court self-help centers help with the forms for free.

### Can I file the forms myself after they are prepared?

Yes. You sign the forms and file them with the superior court in your county. Depending on the court, you can file in person, by e-filing or in a drop box, and our online filing guide lists the options for each county.

### Does JusticeOS fill in DV-105 for child custody?

No. DV-105 and its order form DV-140 are used when you ask for custody and visitation orders with your restraining order request. JusticeOS does not fill in those two forms. Use the official California Courts versions and file DV-105 with DV-100 and DV-140 with DV-110.

### Do I need a lawyer to ask for a DVRO?

No. California Courts states there is no court fee to ask for a domestic violence restraining order and you do not have to have a lawyer.

### How fast does the judge decide on a temporary restraining order?

California Courts states that once you turn in your forms, the judge decides on temporary protection the same day or by the next business day. In most counties you will not talk to a judge right away.

## Official sources

- [California Courts: Domestic violence restraining orders in California](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/DV-restraining-order)
- [California Courts: Court-based self-help services](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/court-based-self-help-services)
- [California Courts: Find your Self-Help Center](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/self-help/find-self-help)
- [California Courts: DV-100 Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/jcc-form/DV-100)
- [California Courts: CLETS-001 Confidential Information for Law Enforcement](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/jcc-form/CLETS-001)
- [California Courts: DV-109 Notice of Court Hearing](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/jcc-form/DV-109)
- [California Courts: DV-110 Temporary Restraining Order](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/jcc-form/DV-110)
- [California Courts: DV-105 Request for Child Custody and Visitation Orders](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/jcc-form/DV-105)
- [California Family Code § 6222 (no filing fee)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FAM&sectionNum=6222)

## Related guides

- [California domestic violence restraining-order forms: the starting packet](https://justiceos.ai/guides/california-dvro-forms)
- [DV-100: what the California request form asks for](https://justiceos.ai/guides/dv-100)
- [Can I file a restraining order online in California?](https://justiceos.ai/guides/file-restraining-order-online-california)
- [Do I need a lawyer for a restraining order in California?](https://justiceos.ai/guides/do-i-need-a-lawyer-restraining-order-california)
- [How to check California DVRO forms for common completeness problems](https://justiceos.ai/guides/check-california-dvro-forms)
- [Serving California DVRO papers: who can serve and what to file](https://justiceos.ai/guides/dvro-service)

Published 2026-10-21. Reviewed against official California Courts guidance on 2026-10-21.

---

JusticeOS is not a law firm, is not your lawyer, and does not give legal advice. It explains California court forms and procedure in plain language and cites official sources. In immediate danger call 911. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233.

Canonical HTML: https://justiceos.ai/guides/dvro-form-preparation-california