Quick answer
Step-by-step guide to filing a domestic violence restraining order in Merced County: where to file, the forms, fees, and local help. File with the Superior Court of California, County of Merced at:
Filing in Merced County
How to File a Domestic Violence Restraining Order in Merced County, California
Step-by-step guide to filing a domestic violence restraining order in Merced County: where to file, the forms, fees, and local help.
Direct answer
If you feel unsafe because of someone's violence or threats, a domestic violence restraining order can give you court-backed protection. Below is a plain-language guide for Merced County: where to file, which forms to complete, and where to find free help.
Where to file in Merced County
File with the Superior Court of California, County of Merced at:
Ogletree Jr. Courthouse 2260 N Street, Merced, CA 95340 (the court's mailing address is 627 W. 21st Street, Merced, CA 95340)
Robert M. Falasco Justice Center (Los Banos) 1159 G Street, Los Banos, CA 93635
Court site: merced.courts.ca.gov
The forms you'll need
If you're asking the court to order the other person out of the home or impose a stay-away, Merced's local rules (Rule 412.1) ask for a declaration covering: your right to possess the home, the immediate and serious harm you're trying to prevent (with detailed time and place), your alternate housing if applicable, who currently lives there, and details of your departure if you've already left.
You can print and sign the forms and file them at the court, or submit them through e-filing. Self-represented filers are exempt from mandatory e-filing, so in-person filing is fine.
- 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.
- DV-130: the restraining order after hearing (blank at filing; the judge completes it if your request is granted).
- 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; you don't fill it out yourself, but you serve a blank copy on them with your other papers.
- MSC-FL-023 Declaration in Support of Ex Parte Application for Orders: a local Merced form the court's rules point to for ex parte requests like this one.
What it costs
There is no fee to file a domestic violence restraining order in Merced County; you don't need FW-001 for the DVRO request itself. (Form FW-001, the request to waive court fees, is only relevant to separate fee-bearing filings.)
What happens after you file
A judicial officer reviews your forms in 1 to 2 business days: then it's on you to check back with the clerk for the decision and to get your copies. If a temporary order is granted, a hearing is typically scheduled within 21 days.
The other party must be personally served at least 5 days before the hearing by someone other than you (a friend or family member 18 or older, or a process server). Good news on cost: the Merced Sheriff's Civil Division waives service fees for these papers. After service, file the Proof of Service with the court before your hearing. Merced also permits remote appearances at DVRO hearings under Family Code § 6308. Bring your forms and any evidence to the hearing.
Local help in Merced County
- Self-Help Center: the first floor of the Ogletree Jr. Courthouse, Room 1400 (2260 N Street, Merced) and the first floor of the Los Banos courthouse (1159 G Street). Walk-in services are currently closed; help is available by phone (209) 725-4168 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) or by email at selfhelp@mercedcourt.org. Domestic violence and restraining orders are listed case types the center helps with. The court's self-help page covers protection orders, fee waivers, and more: merced.courts.ca.gov/self-help
Questions people ask next
How long does it take to get an order?
A judge typically reviews your request within 1 to 2 business days of filing, and a hearing is usually scheduled within 21 days of a temporary order. Remember to check back with the clerk for the decision; the court won't call you.
Do I need a lawyer?
No. Many people file on their own. The Merced Superior Court's Self-Help Center can answer questions and help you figure out which forms you need.
What if I can't afford the filing fee?
There's no filing fee for the DVRO request itself in Merced County, so there's nothing to waive.
What should I do if I'm in danger right now?
Call 911. You can also reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, free, confidential, 24/7.
Can I get help or forms in Spanish?
Yes. California courts publish Spanish versions of the restraining-order forms, and the court's self-help materials are available in multiple languages.
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.