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Quick answer

Step-by-step guide to filing a domestic violence restraining order in Kern County: where to file in Bakersfield, the forms, fees, and local help. Domestic violence restraining-order requests in Kern County are filed with Superior Court of California, County of Kern. The court’s own website is the source for current filing location, hours, and local steps.

Filing in Kern County

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

Step-by-step guide to filing a domestic violence restraining order in Kern County: where to file in Bakersfield, the forms, fees, and local help.

Direct answer

Where: Domestic violence restraining-order papers in Kern County are filed with Superior Court of California, County of Kern. The court's published filing location includes 1215 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301 The court describes online portal filing on its website. Hours: Published hours or filing windows include Self-help services are by appointment only. 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 Kern County

Domestic violence restraining-order requests in Kern County are filed with Superior Court of California, County of Kern. 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 (and gun violence restraining orders) are the only restraining orders that can be submitted by e-filing through its public Portal. The court also says self-represented people are not required to e-file. (https://www.kern.courts.ca.gov/online-services/e-file/e-filing).

  • Metro-Justice Building: 1215 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
  • The court’s Family Law Facilitator office at 1215 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield accepts walk-in help Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; filing fees and clerk intake are at the Clerk’s Office in the same building.

The forms you'll need

All are statewide Judicial Council forms, available in Spanish as well.

  • 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 (helpful to recognize).

What it costs

There is no filing fee for a domestic violence restraining order: state law (Family Code § 6222) prohibits a filing fee for DVRO petitions in any California county.

Filing options: in person or electronically

Kern's local rules make e-filing mandatory for represented parties in family law cases, but explicitly exempt both self-represented litigants and any proceedings filed under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act. In other words, a DVRO request is never subject to mandatory e-filing in Kern: you can file in person, and you can also choose to e-file: the court's public portal accepts Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (and Gun Violence Restraining Orders) submitted electronically. See the court's E-Filing page for portal instructions.

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. Bring your forms and any evidence to the hearing.

Local help in Kern County

Self-Help Center Phone: (661) 610-6518 Hours: Self-help services are by appointment only. Call the Self-Help Center to schedule one. Self-help page: https://www.kern.courts.ca.gov/self-help/help-resources

Questions people ask next

How long does it take to get an order?

Under Fam. Code § 6326, a judge issues or denies an ex parte request the same court day or the next court day if filed too late for review that day. Temporary orders can be granted quickly The hearing date is on the stamped DV-109.

Do I need a lawyer?

No. You can file on your own, and the Family Law Facilitator can help you with the paperwork.

What if I can't afford the filing fee?

There's no fee for the DVRO request itself, so you don't need a fee waiver to file. If other costs come up, ask the Facilitator's office about FW-001.

What if I'm in danger right now?

Call 911 immediately. You can also reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 for confidential support, day or night.

Can I file in Spanish?

Yes. The restraining order forms are published in Spanish, and you can ask the facilitator's office for help.

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.

Start your filing with JusticeOS