Quick answer
Guide to filing a domestic violence restraining order in San Luis Obispo County: where to file, the forms, fees, and local help. File at the court's Civil & Family Law Branch, 1050 Monterey Street, Room 220, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408. Counter and phone hours have been reduced, so confirm current hours before you go on the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court website.
Filing in San Luis Obispo County
How to File a Domestic Violence Restraining Order in San Luis Obispo County, California
Guide to filing a domestic violence restraining order in San Luis Obispo County: where to file, the forms, fees, and local help.
Direct answer
If someone close to you is hurting you or making you afraid, the court can order them to stop. This page walks through the San Luis Obispo County process gently and simply: where to file, which forms you need, and what comes next.
Where to file in San Luis Obispo County
File at the court's Civil & Family Law Branch, 1050 Monterey Street, Room 220, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408. Counter and phone hours have been reduced, so confirm current hours before you go on the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court website.
The forms you'll need
SLO's official domestic-violence instructions list the following as the required filing packet:
You do not fill out DV-120, that's a blank copy of the response form for the other party. Per the court's instructions, you serve the other party with a blank DV-120 (plus DV-800, DV-800-INFO, and DV-250 as applicable), along with your completed DV-100, DV-109, DV-110 (if granted), and FL013. Depending on your situation, you may also need forms like DV-105 (child custody and visitation request) or DV-145 (property issues).
File the completed originals with the clerk plus one copy of the DV-100 and attachments.
- 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).
- FL013 Statement of Venue: a local SLO form, required with your packet if you haven't filed one before.
What it costs
There is no filing fee for a domestic violence restraining order in California: state law charges no fee to request, modify, or enforce one (Gov. Code § 70671(f)). You do not need a fee waiver for the DVRO request itself. If a separate fee-bearing filing comes up later, form FW-001 asks the court to waive court fees.
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. Make arrangements with the court clerk about when and where to pick up your copies: when you pick them up you'll learn your hearing date and whether a temporary order was granted. If granted, a hearing is typically scheduled within 21 days, and the temporary order lasts until that hearing.
Someone other than you (the Sheriff's Office, a friend or family member 18 or older, or a process server) must personally deliver the papers to the other party at least 5 days before the hearing (you cannot serve them yourself). Then the person who served them must complete and sign the Proof of Service and file it with the court. If you requested child custody orders, call Family Court Services at (805) 706-3608 to schedule the required mediation appointment. Bring your forms and any evidence to the hearing.
Local help in San Luis Obispo County
The court's Self-Help Center / Family Law Facilitator's Office offers free resources and guidance for self-represented filers: services are currently provided remotely. Call (805) 706-3617 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) to register for a Q&A workshop or schedule a phone or video appointment, or email finishcase@slo.courts.ca.gov. Find details through the court's website.
Questions people ask next
How long does it take?
Most requests are reviewed by a judge within about a day of filing.
Do I need a lawyer?
No. Many people complete this process on their own, and the court's Self-Help Center can help with the forms and procedure.
What if I can't afford the fee?
There's no filing fee for a domestic violence restraining order, so cost isn't a barrier to filing. If a fee comes up for a separate, non-DVRO filing, form FW-001 asks the court to waive it.
What if I'm in danger right now?
Call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233, free, confidential, and open 24 hours a day.
Can I file in Spanish?
Many courts offer Spanish forms and help. Ask the court's Self-Help Center what's 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.