Quick answer
Step-by-step guide to filing a domestic violence restraining order in Sierra County: where to file, the forms, fees, and local help. Sierra County has one courthouse: the Superior Court of California, County of Sierra:
Filing in Sierra County
How to File a Domestic Violence Restraining Order in Sierra County, California
Step-by-step guide to filing a domestic violence restraining order in Sierra County: where to file, the forms, fees, and local help.
Direct answer
Sierra County is small, but the court's protection is just as real here. If you need a domestic violence restraining order (DVRO), this guide explains where to file in Downieville, which forms to complete, and what happens next, in plain, calm language.
Where to file in Sierra County
Sierra County has one courthouse: the Superior Court of California, County of Sierra:
100 Courthouse Square, Downieville, CA 95936
(You can also mail paperwork to P.O. Box 476, Downieville, CA 95936.) Confirm hours and filing details on the court's official site: https://www.sierra.courts.ca.gov/
The forms you'll need
There is no court filing fee for a domestic violence restraining order, not to request one, respond to one, or enforce one (Cal. Rules of Court; statewide civil fee schedule). Form FW-001 (fee waiver) is only relevant if you are making a separate, fee-bearing filing.
E-filing: Sierra's Local Rules allow e-filing in all case types by email only to superiorcourt@sierracourt.org (Local Rule 8.1). Email received before 4:00 p.m. on a court day is filed that day if accepted; email received after 4:00 p.m. or on a non-court day is filed the next court day. Submit PDFs only (phone photos are rejected), and if your filing is over 20 pages including exhibits, you must file in person or by mail instead. (The e-filing cover sheet in the local rules applies to Appellate Division filings only, not DVROs.)
- 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 (good to recognize when papers arrive).
What it costs
Filing a domestic violence restraining order is free: no court filing fee applies.
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 (photos, messages, police reports) to the hearing.
Local help in Sierra County
The court's Family Law Facilitator assists self-represented parties; in Downieville it is at 100 Courthouse Square, reachable at (530) 289-3698, Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. for phone hours: confirm current availability on the court's Family Law Facilitator page. The statewide California Courts self-help guide also walks through every step of the DVRO process: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov
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., and temporary protection can be ordered before the full hearing. The hearing date is on the stamped DV-109.
Do I need a lawyer?
No. Many people file on their own, and the statewide self-help guide plus JusticeOS can walk you through the forms.
What if I can't afford the fee?
There is no filing fee for a domestic violence restraining order, so no waiver is needed for the DVRO itself.
What if I'm in danger right now?
Call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 is free, confidential, and available 24/7, even from a rural area.
Can I file in Spanish?
Judicial Council DVRO forms are available in Spanish translations. If you need help in another language, contact the court or Family Law Facilitator before filing to confirm what filing and language options are 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.