# How to File a Domestic Violence Restraining Order in Santa Clara County, California > Step-by-step guide to filing a domestic violence restraining order in Santa Clara County: where to file, the forms, fees, and local help. **Direct answer.** A domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) is a court order that can keep someone from contacting or coming near you. If you're in Santa Clara County and need one, this guide walks you through where to go, what to fill out, and what to expect — in plain words, with no legal jargon. ## Where to file in Santa Clara County File at the Family Justice Center Courthouse of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara: 201 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113 The Restraining Order Help Center is located in the same courthouse. Check current hours on the court's official site: https://santaclara.courts.ca.gov/ ## 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). - FM-1013 — Santa Clara County's local Declaration in Support of Ex Parte Application for Orders form; the court's own step-by-step DVRO instructions list this local form among the required forms. - DV-120 — the form the other party uses to respond (worth knowing about so the paperwork looks familiar). - FW-001 — request to waive court fees if you can't afford them. ## What it costs Domestic violence filings are free in Santa Clara County — there is no fee to file a DVRO, per the court's own Restraining Order Help Center page. (A fee can apply only if the DV filing is combined with a parentage, divorce, or legal separation filing.) If a fee does come up and you can't afford it, file FW-001 to ask the court to waive it. Don't let money be the reason you wait — ask the clerk or the self-help center for help. ## What happens after you file A judge reviews your request, usually within 24 hours. 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 — photos, messages, police reports — to the hearing. ## Local help in Santa Clara County The court's Restraining Order Help Center and Self-Help Center / Family Law Facilitator's Office at the Family Justice Center Courthouse can help you apply for, respond to, and understand restraining orders — 201 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. The court also offers remote help by phone, email, and live chat. More details: https://santaclara.courts.ca.gov/ JusticeOS is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. This guide is general information, not legal advice. If you are unsure about your situation, talk to a licensed California attorney or your court's self-help center. ## Questions people ask next ### How long does the process take? Judges usually review requests within 24 hours. A temporary order may be granted right away, with a full hearing scheduled within about 21 days. ### Do I need a lawyer? No — many people file on their own. The Restraining Order Help Center exists specifically to guide self-represented filers. ### What if I can't afford the fee? Domestic violence restraining order filings are free in this county — there's no fee to waive. For any other court fees, file FW-001, the fee waiver request. ### What if I'm in danger right now? Call 911. You can also reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 any time, day or night — it's free and confidential. ### Can I file in Spanish? Yes. DVRO forms are available in Spanish, and the self-help center assists people in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages. ## Official sources - [California Courts — Restraining orders (self-help)](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/DV-restraining-order) - [California Family Code § 6222 — no fee to ask for a domestic violence restraining order](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FAM§ionNum=6222) ## Related guides - [How to File a Domestic Violence Restraining Order in Santa Barbara County, California](https://justiceos.ai/guides/santa-barbara-county-dv-restraining-order) - [How to File a Domestic Violence Restraining Order in Santa Cruz County, California](https://justiceos.ai/guides/santa-cruz-county-dv-restraining-order) - [How California DVRO filing works after you finish the forms](https://justiceos.ai/guides/dvro-filing) Published 2026-09-28. Reviewed against official California Courts guidance on 2026-09-28. --- JusticeOS is not a law firm, is not your lawyer, and does not give legal advice. It explains California court forms and procedure in plain language and cites official sources. In immediate danger call 911. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233. Canonical HTML: https://justiceos.ai/guides/santa-clara-county-dv-restraining-order