Domestic Violence Restraining Orders in Inyo County, California

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233.

Inyo County runs nearly 200 miles along the Owens Valley. For a domestic violence restraining order request, you can use the Independence Courthouse at 168 North Edwards Street, Independence, CA 93514, (760) 872-3038, or the Bishop Courthouse at 301 West Line Street, Bishop, CA 93514. The court accepts filings at either location. It also accepts paperwork by drop box, mail, or e-filing, so people in Bishop, Lone Pine, or Independence do not all need to go to one building.

There is no fee anywhere in California to request a domestic violence restraining order, including in Inyo County. The Inyo Self-Help Center, reachable at (760) 872-3038, can help with Form DV-100 and the related paperwork before you submit it by the method that works for you.

A judge can grant a temporary order the same day you ask. The court usually sets a hearing within about 21 days under Family Code sections 242 and 6320. Inyo has not published a specific same-day filing cutoff or confirmed remote hearing options, so call the Self-Help Center before you plan a trip to either courthouse.

How a domestic violence restraining order works in California

A domestic violence restraining order is for protection from someone you have a close relationship with, such as a spouse or former spouse, a partner you live with or used to live with, someone you dated, a co-parent, or a close family member. If the other person is a neighbor, coworker, or stranger, a different order called a civil harassment restraining order may apply instead. California uses the same statewide forms in every county, including Inyo County. The basic steps are:

1. File a Request for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (Form DV-100), with the related forms DV-109 and DV-110, at the court. There is no filing fee.
2. A judge reviews your request, often the same day or the next court day, and can grant a temporary restraining order that lasts until your hearing.
3. The other person is served with the paperwork and can file a response (Form DV-120).
4. You attend a court hearing, usually within about three weeks.
5. If the judge grants a restraining order after the hearing, it can last up to five years and can be renewed.

A domestic violence restraining order can do more than order someone to stay away. It can set temporary child custody and visitation, order child or spousal support, require the other person to move out, and require them to turn in any firearms. Local domestic violence advocates and the court's self-help center can help you fill out the forms, often at no cost.

Where to file in Inyo County

Restraining order requests in Inyo County are filed with the Superior Court of California, County of Inyo. Because courthouse locations, hours, and local domestic violence resources change over time, confirm current details using the official California Courts court finder:

Find the Inyo County Superior Court (official California Courts finder)

Local notes for Inyo County

Inyo also has two local domestic violence organizations that work alongside the court: Wild Iris, 760-873-6601, and R.A.V.E. (Relief After Violent Encounters), 760-873-9018. Either group can help with safety planning and advocacy while your restraining order case moves through Independence or Bishop.

Inyo has not confirmed which agency currently serves the restrained person at no cost. Ask the Self-Help Center or either courthouse for the current process when you file.

Because Bishop and Independence are far apart, confirm which courthouse will handle your hearing before the date. If a second trip across the valley is not practical, ask about e-filing or the drop box.

A restraining order request can ask for more than a stay-away term. Judges can also set temporary custody, order child or spousal support, require the restrained person to leave a shared home, and require them to surrender firearms. Tell the Self-Help Center about anything that applies to your situation when it reviews your DV-100 paperwork.

Ask the Self-Help Center whether e-filing, the drop box, or mail is fastest for your situation, since travel time between Bishop and Independence can otherwise add a day to your filing.

Official restraining order resources in Inyo County

Superior Court of California, County of Inyo (Independence Courthouse) handles restraining-orders filings, located at 168 North Edwards Street, Independence 93514. Phone: (760) 872-3038. Bishop Courthouse at 301 West Line Street handles certain matters.

The filing fee is $0 (no fee for DV-100 restraining order requests). E-filing is available. The court also accepts DV-100 paperwork by drop box, mail, or e-filing in addition to filing in person at either courthouse.

Inyo Self-Help Center (https://www.inyo.courts.ca.gov/self-help/self-help-center) can help with procedure and paperwork.

• Superior Court of California, County of Inyo (Independence Courthouse)
• Inyo County domestic violence restraining order info
• Inyo Self-Help Center
• Form DV-100 (Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order)
• California Courts Self-Help: Domestic Violence Restraining Order

Local details reviewed August 2026. Offices and locations can change, so confirm with the official sites above before you file.

Inyo County Restraining Order FAQs