Quick answer

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

Filing in San Joaquin County

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

Filing a domestic violence restraining order in San Joaquin County: where to file, the forms, fees, and local help.

Last reviewed September 28, 2026 against official California Courts guidance.

Direct answer

Where: Domestic violence restraining-order papers in San Joaquin County are filed with Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin. The court's published filing location includes Stockton Courthouse, 180 E. The court describes online portal filing on its website. Hours: Published hours or filing windows include Domestic violence form review: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Wednesday 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 Joaquin County

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

The court describes The court runs an e-filing portal called AppFile. On August 24, 2026 the court posted that AppFile was temporarily unavailable, and that filings could still go in the drop box in the Stockton courthouse lobby near the Information Desk, or to the Clerk’s Office in person from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (https://www.sjcourts.org/news/public-notice-electronic-filing-portal-appfile).

Stockton Courthouse, 180 E. Weber Ave., Suite 105
The court’s page states there is no filing fee for a domestic violence restraining order, and links the forms packets for requests with and without children.

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; you'll recognize it if you're served with one.

What it costs

There is no filing fee for a restraining order in San Joaquin County, per the court's own restraining-orders page (state law, Family Code § 6222, also prohibits a DVRO filing fee anywhere in California). No fee-waiver form (FW-001) is needed for the request itself.

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 San Joaquin County

Self-Help Center Phone: (209) 992-5283 Hours: Domestic violence form review: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Self-help page: https://www.sjcourts.org/self-help

Questions people ask next

How long does it take?

Judges generally review requests within about a day of filing. Arrive early at the Self-Help Center: spots fill quickly.

Do I need a lawyer?

No. The Self-Help Center helps many self-represented filers every week.

What if I can't afford the fee?

There's no filing fee for the request itself, so no waiver is needed. File at the Stockton Courthouse in person (DVRO requests aren't accepted through the court's e-filing portal).

What if I'm in danger right now?

Call 911. You can also reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 anytime; it's free and confidential.

Can I file in Spanish?

Many courts offer Spanish forms and help. Ask the Self-Help Center what is available.

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.

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