Domestic Violence Restraining Orders in Lake County, California

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

Lake County handles restraining order services in two buildings. The Lakeport Courthouse, 255 North Forbes Street, 4th Floor, Room 417, Lakeport, CA 95453, (707) 263-2374, is where cases are heard. The Self-Help Center is at the Clearlake Branch, 7000-A South Center Drive, Clearlake, CA 95422, (707) 994-4612 for the self-help line or (707) 994-6598 for the branch generally.

Before you drive to either building, check Lake County's self-help page. It links to a guided online interview through LawHelp Interactive. The tool takes you through Form DV-100 step by step and helps create the completed forms for you to file. Starting at home can save a trip if you live closer to Clearlake than Lakeport, or the reverse.

There is no fee to request a domestic violence restraining order anywhere in California, including Lake County. After you file, a judge can grant a temporary order the same day. A hearing is generally set within about 21 days under Family Code sections 242 and 6320. Lake has not published its own same-day filing cutoff, so call first to confirm timing.

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 Lake 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 Lake County

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

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

Local notes for Lake County

Lake County has not confirmed which agency currently serves the restrained person with the paperwork at no cost. This page also has no confirmed local domestic violence shelter or hotline on file, so start with the statewide hotline, 1-800-799-7233, for immediate support and referrals.

If you were served with a request and need to respond, the Self-Help Center can direct you to Form DV-120 and explain the deadline for filing your response.

Lake County keeps hearings in Lakeport and self-help services in Clearlake. Clerk hours and remote appearance options are not confirmed here. Call ahead to (707) 994-4612 to make sure you go to the right building on the right day.

An order can do more than keep the parties apart. It can also address temporary custody, child or spousal support, a move-out order for a shared home, and firearm surrender. If you use the online interview or file in person, write down anything that applies to your situation before the paperwork goes to the clerk.

Bring your completed DV-100 request, DV-109 hearing notice, and DV-110 order forms, plus a CLETS-001 confidential information form, to the courthouse the clerk directs you to after your paperwork is reviewed.

Official restraining order resources in Lake County

Superior Court of California, County of Lake (Lakeport Courthouse) handles restraining-orders filings, located at 255 North Forbes Street, 4th Floor, Room 417, Lakeport 95453. Phone: (707) 263-2374. Clearlake Branch and Self-Help Center at 7000-A South Center Drive handles certain matters.

The filing fee is $0 (no fee for DV-100 restraining order requests). E-filing is available. Lake County's self-help page also links to a guided online DV-100 interview tool through LawHelp Interactive.

Lake County Self-Help Center (https://www.lake.courts.ca.gov/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork.

• Superior Court of California, County of Lake (Lakeport Courthouse)
• Lake County domestic violence restraining order info
• Lake County 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.

Lake County Restraining Order FAQs