Quick answer
Step-by-step guide to filing a domestic violence restraining order in Sonoma County: where to file, the forms, fees, and local help. File at the Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma: Civil and Family Law Courthouse:
Filing in Sonoma County
How to File a Domestic Violence Restraining Order in Sonoma County, California
Step-by-step guide to filing a domestic violence restraining order in Sonoma County: where to file, the forms, fees, and local help.
Direct answer
If someone close to you is harming or threatening you, a domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) can bring the court's protection. This guide for Sonoma County covers where to file in Santa Rosa, the forms you'll need, and what happens next, written plainly, one step at a time. There is no fee to file a DVRO request in Sonoma County.
Where to file in Sonoma County
File at the Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma: Civil and Family Law Courthouse:
3055 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Complete your forms and drop them off at the Clerk's Office, Family Law Division, by 8:30 a.m. so a judge can review your paperwork that court business day. (Hand-printed forms in blue or black ink are accepted as long as they are legible.) Check details on the court's official site: http://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/
The court's DV packet describes drop-off filing: confirm current e-filing options for DVRO requests on the court's official site before assuming they're accepted electronically.
The forms you'll need
The court's DV packet also includes an instruction coversheet (FLIN-6 for no-children requests, FLIN-7 with children) and the FL-040 declaration sheet: use the court's packet as your checklist.
Critical Sonoma detail, notice before the judge reviews: under Sonoma Local Rule 9.11, notice and delivery of your DV TRO application, including copies of all documents you're submitting, must be given to the opposing party (or their attorney) by 10:00 a.m. the day before the application is reviewed by the judicial officer. The FL-040 form is how you document that notice. Missing this step can stall or sink your request.
- DV-100: the request for the restraining order itself; describes what happened and what protection you need.
- FL-040, Sonoma local form (mandatory): Declaration Regarding Notice and Delivery of Domestic Violence Temporary Orders. Sonoma's local rules require this with every DV TRO application.
- DV-101: description of abuse, if you need more space than the DV-100 allows.
- DV-109: notice of the court hearing date.
- DV-110: the temporary restraining order a judge can grant before the hearing.
- DV-200: proof of personal service (filled out later by the person who serves the papers).
- CLETS-001: confidential information for law enforcement (kept private from the other party).
- DV-505-INFO: "I Filled Out the Forms: What Now?" information sheet, included in the court's packet.
- DV-120: the form the other party uses to respond (mentioned so the paperwork looks familiar).
- DV-105 / DV-140: if you have children with the other person, add the child custody/visitation request (DV-105, attach to the DV-100) and order (DV-140).
What it costs
There is no fee to file a Domestic Violence Restraining Order request in Sonoma County, per the court's own DV packet. If other fees ever come up and you can't afford them, file FW-001 to ask the court to waive them.
What happens after you file
A judge reviews DVRO applications every court business day; you won't meet the judge at this stage, and results are available after 2:00 p.m. 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 Sonoma County
(The YWCA and Legal Aid numbers appear in the court's own DV packet.) More court information: http://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/
- Self-Help Center: (707) 521-6534, SelfHelp@SonomaCourt.org
- YWCA Sonoma County Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: crisis line (707) 546-1234, business line (707) 546-7115
- Legal Aid of Sonoma County: (707) 542-1290
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. The hearing date is on the stamped DV-109.
Do I need a lawyer?
No. Many people file on their own, and the Self-Help Center can help with the forms.
What if I can't afford the fee?
There's no fee for the DVRO request itself in Sonoma County, and state law (Family Code § 6222) prohibits a DVRO filing fee anywhere in California. No fee-waiver form is needed for the request itself.
What if I'm in danger right now?
Call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233) is free, confidential, and open 24/7, and the YWCA crisis line above serves Sonoma County.
Can I file in Spanish?
Yes: DVRO forms are available in Spanish, and you can ask the Self-Help Center about bilingual help.
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.