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Quick answer

File a domestic violence restraining order in San Francisco: where to file, the forms, no filing fee, and free local help. Domestic violence restraining-order requests in San Francisco County are filed with Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The court’s own website is the source for current filing location, hours, and local steps.

Filing in San Francisco County

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

File a domestic violence restraining order in San Francisco: where to file, the forms, no filing fee, and free local help.

Direct answer

Where: Domestic violence restraining-order papers in San Francisco County are filed with Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The court's published filing location includes 400 McAllister Street, Room 509, San Francisco, CA 94102 The court describes e-filing on its website. Hours: Published hours or filing windows include Live helpline: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.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 San Francisco County

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

The court describes The court’s e-filing page says self-represented parties are not required to e-file but are encouraged to file electronically through a court-approved e-filing vendor. It lists UFCEfiling@sftc.org for family law e-filing questions. (https://sf.courts.ca.gov/online-services/e-filing).

  • 400 McAllister Street, Room 509, San Francisco, CA 94102
  • The court’s DVRO roadmap says to file at the Civic Center Courthouse, 400 McAllister Street, Family Law Clerk’s Office, 4th floor, Room 402. It is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is no filing fee.
  • Per the same roadmap, a request filed before 10:00 a.m. is ready for pickup in Room 402 between 2:30 and 4:00 p.m. that day; a request filed after 10:00 a.m. is ready between 2:30 and 4:00 p.m. the next court day.

The forms you'll need

  • DV-100: the request for the restraining order itself; describes what happened and what protection you need. Fill out the entire form; make 3 copies of it including all attachments.
  • DV-109: notice of the court hearing date (fill out items 1-2 only; submit the original only, no copies needed).
  • DV-110: the temporary restraining order a judge can grant before the hearing (fill out items 1-3 only; original only).
  • CLETS-001: confidential information for law enforcement (fill out the entire form; original only, kept private from the other party).
  • DV-101: description of abuse, if you need more space than the DV-100 allows.
  • DV-105 / DV-140: if you have minor children, also fill out DV-105 (request for child custody and visitation orders, attach to the DV-100) and DV-140 (fill out items 1-3, attach to the DV-110).
  • FL-150: income and expense declaration, only if you are also requesting child support or spousal/partner support.
  • DV-120: the form the other party uses to respond; you'll recognize it if you're served with one.

What it costs

There is no filing fee to file a domestic violence restraining order in San Francisco County, according to the court, and state law (Family Code § 6222) prohibits a filing fee for DVRO petitions in any California county. No fee-waiver form is needed for the request itself. One cost to know about: the Sheriff's Department charges $30 to serve the papers (City Hall, Room 456, 4th floor) unless you have a granted fee waiver.

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. File before 10:00 a.m. and you can pick up your order the same day, between 2:30 and 4:00 p.m., outside Room 402 (Family Law filing): file after 10:00 a.m. and pickup is the next court day, same hours. Pick up promptly so there is time to serve the other party before the hearing. If a temporary order is granted, a hearing is typically scheduled within 21 days. The other party must be legally served with the papers: your options are the Sheriff's Department ($30 unless you have a fee waiver), any adult 18+ who is not a party to the case (they fill out DV-200, Proof of Personal Service), or a process server. Bring your forms and any evidence to the hearing.

Local help in San Francisco County

ACCESS Center Phone: (415) 551-0605 Hours: Live helpline: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Self-help page: https://sf.courts.ca.gov/access-legal-self-help-center

Questions people ask next

How long does it take?

A judge usually reviews your request the same day you file. Pick up your order promptly so there is time to serve the other party before the hearing.

Do I need a lawyer?

No. Many people file on their own, and the ACCESS Center can help with the forms.

What if I can't afford the fee?

There is no filing fee for a domestic violence restraining order in San Francisco.

What if I'm in danger right now?

Call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233) is confidential and available 24/7.

Can I file in Spanish?

Tell the clerk in Room 402 if you need an interpreter at your hearing so one can be arranged. Spanish forms are also available at courts.ca.gov/forms.

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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