# Can I file a restraining order online in California?

> Whether you can apply for a domestic violence restraining order online in California depends on your superior court. This guide covers e-filing where it exists, the forms you still need, and statewide law on electronic filing and remote hearings.

**Direct answer.** Yes. Many California superior courts let you submit a DVRO packet online today, and from January 1, 2027 every court must accept electronically filed DVRO petitions and related filings at no charge to the petitioner (Fam. Code § 6307(a)(1)(B)). Which portal, EFSP, or upload tool applies depends on your county superior court. Fam. Code § 6307(a)(1)(A) already requires courts to permit electronic submission; until 2027 an EFSP may still charge a service fee unless the court offers a free portal. Courts may not charge remote hearing appearance fees for parties, support persons, or witnesses from January 1, 2027 (§ 6308(b)).

## Filing channel vs what you still need

Electronic filing delivers the same Judicial Council packet the clerk would accept in person.

## Online vs in person today

California Courts lists three common filing methods for a domestic violence restraining order: in person at the clerk’s office, online through e-filing where the court provides it, and drop box where one exists. The statewide self-help guide does not guarantee that every county uses the same portal or EFSP on the same day.

JusticeOS prepares your forms for you to review and file; it does not submit to a court unless a future product feature and your court both support that path. Always read the filing superior court’s current domestic-violence restraining-order page before you assume online filing works in your county.

## What the packet still requires (even online)

Electronic filing changes how papers reach the clerk, not which Judicial Council forms belong in a first-time domestic violence restraining-order request. The core request still centers on Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order (form DV-100), Confidential CLETS Information (form CLETS-001), Notice of Court Hearing (form DV-109 items 1 to 2), and Request for Order (form DV-110 items 1 to 3). Optional or situational forms may include DV-105, DV-140, MC-030 declarations, or fee-waiver forms when applicable.

County guides on this site describe local courthouse addresses, portals, and quirks (for example mandatory cover sheets or separate Western Slope vs South Lake Tahoe e-filing links). Use the general filing guide for statewide steps after the forms are complete, and the forms map if you are still building the packet.

- Use the california-dvro-forms guide for the full packet map and field walkthroughs.
- Use the dvro-filing guide for clerk intake, copies, and what the court returns after submission.
- Run the free check tool before you file to catch missing forms or signatures.
- Start the protection intake when you are ready to prepare DV-100 and related forms.

## How online filing works where it is offered

When a court accepts DVRO e-filing, you usually create an account with the court’s listed portal or with an approved EFSP, upload each form as a searchable PDF (local rules may require one PDF per form), pay any vendor service fee if one applies today, and receive an electronic receipt. DV-505-INFO (Rev. January 1, 2024) tells filers to check the local court website for e-filing steps and warns that you may need to return to the courthouse if the court cannot send papers back electronically.

After submission, the judge may review the request the same day or the next court day, matching the statewide filing guide. Save every confirmation email, receipt, and returned PDF. You will need the file-stamped DV-109 hearing date and any signed DV-110 before service.

## Statewide law: electronic filing and 2027 fee changes

Family Code section 6307(a)(1)(A) requires a court that receives domestic violence restraining-order petitions to permit those petitions and related filings to be submitted electronically. Section 6307(a)(1)(B) adds that commencing January 1, 2027, petitions and filings submitted electronically under that paragraph shall be at no charge to the petitioner. Before that date, the court itself does not charge a DVRO filing fee (Fam. Code § 6222 and California Courts guidance), but a third-party EFSP may still charge its own service fee unless local practice waives it.

Assembly Bill 561 (Stats. 2025, ch. 267) amended protective-order statutes and related forms for civil harassment and elder-abuse orders; for domestic violence orders, the January 1, 2027 no-charge electronic filing language appears in Fam. Code § 6307 as amended. Remote hearings are governed separately: section 6308(a) allows a party, support person, or witness to appear remotely at the DVRO hearing, and section 6308(b) provides that commencing January 1, 2027, there shall not be a fee for those remote appearances.

## County guides and next steps

Because portals and EFSP lists differ, start from the county guide that matches the superior court where you will file. The guides index lists every county domestic-violence restraining-order page this site maintains, each tied to official court sources where available.

If you already filed and received DV-109 and DV-110, move to service and hearing preparation rather than refiling online. If you are still drafting, run the free check to catch missing forms before you pay a vendor or travel to the courthouse.

## Questions people ask next

### Can I apply for a restraining order online in California?

Yes. Many counties publish a court portal or approved EFSP for domestic violence restraining-order packets, and Fam. Code § 6307(a)(1)(A) requires every superior court to permit electronic submission. From January 1, 2027, § 6307(a)(1)(B) requires those e-submitted petitions to be at no charge to you. Use the county table on this page for official links.

### Is online DVRO filing free?

There is no court filing fee for the domestic violence restraining-order request itself (Fam. Code § 6222; California Courts). Commencing January 1, 2027, Fam. Code § 6307(a)(1)(B) requires electronically submitted petitions and related filings to be at no charge to the petitioner. Before 2027, an EFSP may still charge a service fee separate from the court.

### What forms do I need before I e-file?

Plan on DV-100, CLETS-001, DV-109 (items 1 to 2), and DV-110 (items 1 to 3) for a standard first request, plus any optional forms your situation requires (for example child custody on DV-105). The california-dvro-forms guide lists the full map.

### Can I attend my DVRO hearing remotely?

Fam. Code § 6308(a) allows a party, support person, or witness to appear remotely at the hearing. Each superior court must post local rules and instructions on its website. Commencing January 1, 2027, § 6308(b) prohibits charging a fee for those remote appearances.

### Does JusticeOS file my restraining order online for me?

JusticeOS helps you prepare and check Judicial Council forms; you file with the court using the method that court describes (online, in person, or drop box). It is self-help software; you choose how and when to file.

### Where do I find my county’s e-filing instructions?

Use California Courts Find My Court to identify your superior court, then open that court’s domestic-violence restraining-order or e-filing page. This site’s county guides (for example Los Angeles, Kern, or San Bernardino) summarize official local steps where we have verified them.

## Official sources

- [California Courts: File your request for a domestic violence restraining order](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/DV-restraining-order/file)
- [California Courts: DV-505-INFO (e-filing overview PDF)](https://courts.ca.gov/documents/dv505info.pdf)
- [Family Code § 6307 (electronic submission; 2027 no-charge language)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FAM&sectionNum=6307)
- [Family Code § 6308 (remote appearances; 2027 fee ban)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FAM&sectionNum=6308)
- [Judicial Council Invitation to Comment SPR26-37 (AB 561, Stats. 2025, ch. 267)](https://courts.ca.gov/system/files/itc/spr26-37.pdf)
- [California Courts: Find My Court](https://courts.ca.gov/find-my-court)

## Related guides

- [How California DVRO filing works after you finish the forms](https://justiceos.ai/guides/dvro-filing)
- [California domestic violence restraining-order forms: the starting packet](https://justiceos.ai/guides/california-dvro-forms)
- [How to check California DVRO forms for common completeness problems](https://justiceos.ai/guides/check-california-dvro-forms)
- [Can you fill out California court forms on a computer and print them?](https://justiceos.ai/guides/printed-court-forms)
- [How to File a Domestic Violence Restraining Order in Los Angeles County, California](https://justiceos.ai/guides/los-angeles-county-dv-restraining-order)
- [How to File a Domestic Violence Restraining Order in Kern County, California](https://justiceos.ai/guides/kern-county-dv-restraining-order)

Published 2026-10-15. Reviewed against official California Courts guidance on 2026-10-16.

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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.

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