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Quick answer

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

Filing in Orange County

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

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

Direct answer

Where: Domestic violence restraining-order papers in Orange County are filed with Superior Court of California, County of Orange. The court's published filing location includes Lamoreaux Justice Center, 341 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868, and Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701 The court describes e-filing on its website. Hours: Published hours or filing windows include In-person self-help: Monday to Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 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 Orange County

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

The court describes The court’s File @ Home service walks you through online questions to prepare your forms, and the court says restraining order forms can be e-filed with the court after you finish the module. (https://www.occourts.org/self-help/self-help-services/file-home).

  • Lamoreaux Justice Center, 341 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868, and Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701
  • Requests for a domestic violence restraining order are filed at the Lamoreaux Justice Center, Family Law Clerk’s Office, 7th floor, 341 The City Drive, Orange, CA 92868. Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • The court says requests received by 2:00 p.m. are granted or denied the same day, and later ones the next court day.
  • The Domestic Violence Assistance Program office, Room 705 on the 7th floor of the Lamoreaux Justice Center, (714) 935-7956, can help with the forms. Its hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed 12:00 to 12:30 p.m.
  • If a divorce, legal separation, or parentage case is already on file with this court, the court says the restraining order request is filed in that family law case instead of opening a new one.

The forms you'll need

  • 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 (worth recognizing if you receive one).

What it costs

There is no filing fee for a domestic violence restraining order under California law. If other court fees come up that you can't afford, file FW-001 to ask the court to waive them.

What happens after you file

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. In Orange County, a same-day temporary order is possible if you file before 2:00 p.m. If a temporary order is granted, a hearing is typically scheduled within 21 days. The other party must be legally served with the papers. Bring your forms and any evidence to the hearing.

Local help in Orange County

Self-Help Center Hours: In-person self-help: Monday to Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Document review: Monday to Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Self-help page: https://www.occourts.org/self-help

Questions people ask next

How long does it take?

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.; in Orange County, filing before 2:00 p.m. can result in a same-day temporary order. A hearing is typically set within 21 days. The hearing date is on the stamped DV-109.

Do I need a lawyer?

No. The Domestic Violence Assistance Program at the Lamoreaux Justice Center helps people complete the forms for free.

What if I can't afford the fee?

There is no fee to file a domestic violence restraining order. For any other court fees, include form FW-001 with your filing to request that the judge waive them.

What if I'm in danger right now?

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

Can I file in Spanish?

Yes. The restraining-order forms are published in Spanish, and the court provides bilingual assistance: ask the Domestic Violence Assistance Program or a self-help center.

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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