If you are reading this because you or your children are being hurt or threatened by someone close to you, you are taking a serious and often difficult step, and you do not have to figure it out alone.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you need to talk to someone about abuse at any hour, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233. Court self-help centers and local domestic violence advocates can also help you file safely and explain what to expect.
Form DV-100, Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order, is the California Judicial Council form that starts this process. This guide walks through each section in plain language. It is general information only, not legal advice, and it cannot replace a conversation with an advocate, a self-help center, or an attorney who can look at your specific situation.
<h2 id="what-is-dv-100">What Is Form DV-100?</h2>Form DV-100 is the document you file to ask a California court for a domestic violence restraining order (DVRO). It identifies who needs protection, who you are asking the court to restrain, how you know that person, and what happened.
A DVRO is different from other protective orders because it is specifically for people who have a qualifying close relationship, current or former spouses and partners, people who are dating or used to date, co-parents, and close relatives. If the person harming you does not fit one of these categories, a court self-help center can help you figure out whether a different type of order, such as a civil harassment restraining order, fits your situation better.
Filing DV-100 does not require a filing fee, no matter your income.
You can file a DV-100 if you are being abused, or if you are a parent or guardian filing on behalf of a child who is being abused, by someone you have one of the close relationships described above. In some situations, another adult household member may also be able to request protection as part of your case.
If you are unsure whether your relationship with the person qualifies, or whether a different form fits your situation better, a domestic violence advocate or your county's self-help center can help you sort that out before you file. This is a good first call for anyone who feels uncertain, not just people with "complicated" cases.
<h2 id="protected-persons">The Protected Person and Other Household Members</h2>The first sections of DV-100 identify the protected person, meaning you, and any additional people you want the order to cover. This commonly includes:
- Your minor children, if the restrained person has access to them or has threatened them
- Other family or household members who live with you and face a risk from the same person
Be specific and complete here. If you leave out a household member who is also at risk, the order may not extend to protect them, and adding someone later generally requires additional paperwork and, often, another hearing.
<h2 id="restrained-person">The Person to Be Restrained</h2>Next, you identify the person you are asking the court to restrain. DV-100 asks for as much identifying information as you can provide: full legal name, any known aliases, physical description, address, and workplace, so the order can be enforced accurately and so law enforcement can identify the person if needed.
You will also describe your relationship to this person, since the relationship is what qualifies your case as a domestic violence restraining order rather than another type of protective order. Common qualifying relationships include a spouse or former spouse, a domestic partner, someone you are dating or used to date, a parent you share a child with, or a close relative such as a parent, sibling, or grandparent.
<h2 id="describing-the-abuse">Describing the Abuse: Most Recent Incident and History</h2>This is often the hardest part of the form to write, and also the part judges rely on most. DV-100 asks you to describe:
- The most recent incident of abuse, in as much detail as you can manage: what happened, when and where it happened, and whether anyone else was present or involved
- Any history of abuse, including earlier incidents, threats, or patterns of controlling behavior, even if you never reported them before
Key Takeaway: Judges look closely at the most recent incident because it shows the immediate risk that justifies emergency protection. Older incidents help establish a pattern, but leaving out the most recent event, even if it feels "less serious" than an earlier one, is one of the most common reasons a request is delayed or only partially granted.
Write in your own words, in as much detail as you can. Include specific dates when you remember them, what was said or done, and any injuries, property damage, or threats involved. If police were called, or if you sought medical care, note that as well. A domestic violence advocate or self-help center staff member can help you organize this section if putting it into words feels overwhelming, which is completely normal.
The final major section of DV-100 is where you check off the specific protections you are asking the court to grant. Ask for everything that applies to your situation, since the judge generally cannot grant more than what you requested.
| Order Type | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Personal conduct orders | Prohibit contact, harassment, threats, or abuse directed at you and other protected people |
| Stay away orders | Require the restrained person to keep a set distance from you, your home, your workplace, your children's school, and other specified places |
| Move out orders | Require the restrained person to leave a shared home, when appropriate |
| Temporary custody and support | Set temporary custody, visitation, and child support arrangements when you share children with the restrained person |
If your situation involves children, our guide on California Child Custody Laws Explained covers how custody and visitation decisions generally work in family court, alongside a DVRO case.
<h2 id="after-you-file">What Happens After You File DV-100</h2>Filing DV-100 is the start of the process, not the end. In general:
- A judge reviews your request, often the same day, and can issue a temporary restraining order (Form DV-110) without the restrained person present, if the facts support it
- The court sets a hearing date, typically within about three weeks, where both you and the restrained person can appear
- The restrained person must be served with your request and the temporary order before the hearing, so they know about the case and can respond
- At the hearing, the judge decides whether to issue a longer term restraining order, which can last up to five years and can be renewed
A temporary order generally covers you until the hearing, but it is not automatic. Bring any additional evidence, such as messages, photos, or witness information, to the hearing if you have it, and consider asking a domestic violence advocate to attend with you. Because this process moves quickly and the outcome affects your safety and, often, custody of your children, speaking with an advocate, your court's self-help center, or an attorney before the hearing is strongly recommended.
<h2 id="common-mistakes">Common Mistakes to Avoid</h2>- Writing a vague description of the abuse instead of specific dates, actions, and words
- Leaving out the most recent incident, even if an earlier one feels more severe
- Not requesting all the protections you actually need, such as forgetting a stay away order for your child's school
- Omitting a household member who is also at risk from the restrained person
- Providing incomplete identifying information for the restrained person, which can slow down service and enforcement
- Filing without talking to an advocate or self-help center first, especially if you are unsure which protections to request
Every one of these mistakes is understandable under the stress of an abusive situation, and none of them are permanent. A judge, an advocate, or self-help center staff can help you correct or add to your request as your case moves forward. If you are weighing whether to also involve an attorney at some point in a related family law matter, our guide on DIY Divorce vs Hiring a Lawyer in California walks through when outside help matters most, and domestic violence is one of the clearest situations where legal advice is worth seeking.
<h2 id="faqs">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>What is Form DV-100 used for?
Form DV-100, Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order, is the California Judicial Council form that opens a domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) case. It asks the court to protect you, and sometimes other family or household members, from someone you have a close relationship with, such as a spouse, partner, co-parent, or close relative.
How quickly can I get protection after filing DV-100?
A judge can review your request the same day or very soon after you file and, if the facts support it, issue a temporary restraining order on Form DV-110 without the other person present. That temporary order generally lasts until a full court hearing, which is usually scheduled within about three weeks.
What is the difference between DV-100 and DV-110?
DV-100 is the form you fill out to request protection and describe the abuse. DV-110 is the order a judge signs, granting some or all of what you requested on a temporary basis, ahead of the full hearing where both sides can be heard.
Do I need a specific relationship with the person I want restrained?
Yes. A DVRO is available when you have a qualifying close relationship, such as a current or former spouse or partner, someone you are dating or used to date, a co-parent, or a close relative. If your relationship does not fit one of these categories, a different type of restraining order (such as a civil harassment order) may be the right fit, and a court self-help center can help you confirm which one applies.
Can I ask for custody and child support in a DV-100 case?
Yes. If you share children with the person you are asking to restrain, you can request temporary custody, visitation terms, and child support as part of your DVRO. These are usually addressed at the hearing, though a judge can sometimes make temporary custody decisions sooner if there is an immediate safety concern.
What if I am afraid to go through this alone?
You do not have to. Court self-help centers, domestic violence advocates, and legal aid organizations can walk through your paperwork with you at no cost, and many can accompany you to court. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) can also connect you with local resources any time of day.
Is there a fee to file DV-100?
No. There is no filing fee for a domestic violence restraining order request in California, regardless of income.
Can Virdix help me with a DV-100 request?
Virdix is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Because DVRO cases involve safety and can move quickly, we strongly encourage anyone filing a DV-100 to also speak with a domestic violence advocate, a court self-help center, or an attorney about the specific facts of their situation.
How Virdix Helps
Virdix is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and this article is information, not legal advice. Because domestic violence cases are high stakes and move quickly, we strongly encourage anyone filing a DV-100 to also speak with a domestic violence advocate, your county's self-help center, or an attorney about your specific situation before and after you file. Virdix can help with the practical side of the paperwork:
- Guided questions, plain-language prompts that help you organize dates, incidents, and requested protections
- Completeness checks, so protected household members and requested orders are not accidentally left off
- Consistency checks, so your DV-100 lines up with any related custody or support forms
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Virdix is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed California family law attorney.
Sources: California Courts Self-Help Center (selfhelp.courts.ca.gov), Judicial Council of California