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DV-100 Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order

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DV-100 Request for Order (Domestic Violence Prevention)

Clerk stamps date here when form is filed.

Case Number:

1 Your name (person asking for protection):

Your address (skip this if you have a lawyer):

City: State: Zip:

Your telephone number (optional):

Your lawyer (if you have one):

2 Name of person you want protection from:

Description of that person: Sex: Height: Weight: Race:

Hair Color: Eye Color: Age: Date of Birth:

3 Besides you, who needs protection? (Family or household members):

Full Name Age Lives with you? How are they related to you?

Full Name Age Lives with you? How are they related to you?

Full Name Age Lives with you? How are they related to you?

Full Name Age Lives with you? How are they related to you?

4 What is your relationship to the person in 2? (Check all that apply):

Specify:

Child's Name: Date of Birth:

Child's Name: Date of Birth:

Child's Name: Date of Birth:

5 Other Court Cases

a. Have you and the person in 2 been involved in another court case?

If yes, where? County: State:

What are the case numbers?

What kind of case? (Check all that apply):

Specify:

b. Are there any domestic violence restraining/protective orders now (criminal, juvenile, family)?

6 Personal Conduct Orders

7 Stay-Away Order

yards away from:

Specify:

If the person listed in 2 is ordered to stay away from all the places listed above, will he or she still be able to get to his or her home, school, job, or place of worship? If no, explain:

8 Move-Out Order

I have the right to live at the above address because:

9 Child Custody, Visitation, and Child Support

You must fill out and attach Form DV-105.

10 Spousal Support

You must file Form FL-150 before your hearing.

11 Record Unlawful Communications

12 Property Control

13 Debt Payment

Pay to: For: Amount: $ Due date:

Pay to: For: Amount: $ Due date:

Pay to: For: Amount: $ Due date:

14 Property Restraint

15 Attorney Fees and Costs

16 Payments for Costs and Services

Pay to: For: Amount: $

Pay to: For: Amount: $

Pay to: For: Amount: $

17 Batterer Intervention Program

18 No Fee to Serve (Notify) Restrained Person

If you want the sheriff or marshal to serve (notify) the restrained person about the orders for free, ask the court clerk what you need to do.

19 More Time for Notice

I want the papers served up to days before the date of the hearing.

If necessary, add additional facts:

20 Other Orders

What other orders are you asking for?

21 Guns or other firearms.

I believe the person in 2 owns or possesses guns or firearms.

22 Describe the most recent abuse.

a. Date of most recent abuse:

b. Who was there?

c. What did the person in 2 do or say that made you afraid?

d. Describe any use or threatened use of guns or other weapons:

e. Describe any injuries:

f. Did the police come?

If yes, did they give you an Emergency Protective Order?

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the information above is true and correct.

Date:

Type or print your name:

Sign your name:

Enter text

What the DV-100 Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order is

The DV-100 Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order is the California Judicial Council form used by a petitioner seeking court protection from a current or former intimate partner, household member, or co-parent. It initiates a request for emergency temporary orders and long-term restraining orders, asks the court to document recent incidents of abuse or threats, and begins the court scheduling and service process. The form captures petitioner and respondent details, describes qualifying conduct, and identifies the types of relief requested such as stay-away, move-out, child custody, and financial support.

Why filing DV-100 matters for immediate protection

Filing a DV-100 begins a legal process that can produce immediate temporary orders and, after a hearing, longer-term protection. The form gives the court the facts it needs to assess immediate risk and to order remedies that address safety, housing, custody, and financial concerns.

Why filing DV-100 matters for immediate protection

Who typically completes or helps with a DV-100

Several parties commonly prepare or support completion of the DV-100 depending on circumstances and resources.

  • Survivors and petitioners preparing the form directly when legal counsel is not available or in urgent situations
  • Legal-aid attorneys or private family law lawyers completing forms and attaching supporting declarations
  • Court advocates and victim-witness specialists who assist with filing, safety planning, and local resources

Assistance varies by county; many courts offer clerk guidance, self-help centers, and advocate programs to explain local procedures.

Core parts of a professionally prepared DV-100

A complete DV-100 file organizes identifying data, incident narrative, requested orders, and supporting evidence so the court can grant meaningful protection.

Petitioner details

Full contact and identifying information for the person seeking protection, including preferred contact methods, DOB when applicable, and any safety concerns about disclosure.

Respondent identification

Full legal name, physical description, last known address, and relationship to petitioner to ensure accurate service and judicial identification at hearing.

Incident narrative

A clear, chronological account of recent incidents with dates, locations, witnesses, injuries, and tangible impacts to document immediacy and pattern.

Types of relief sought

Specific remedies requested such as stay-away, move-out, temporary custody, child support, and attorney-fee orders; specify distances and exclusion zones where relevant.

Supporting exhibits

Attach police reports, medical records, photos, text messages, emails, or witness declarations — label exhibits and reference them in the narrative.

Temporary order request

If immediate protection is needed, request an ex parte temporary restraining order and explain the imminent danger or reasons for emergency relief.

Required information and sensitive data to include

Personal identifiers: Full names, DOBs
Contact details: Addresses and phone numbers
Incident evidence: Photos, messages, reports
Medical records: Injury documentation
Police reports: Official incident reports
Witness statements: Signed declarations

Consequences and legal risks of errors on DV-100

Perjury risk: Criminal penalties
Dismissal: Case may be rejected
Delayed protection: Hearing postponed
Service problems: Improper service voids orders
Enforcement gaps: Order not enforceable
Privacy exposure: Sensitive data disclosure

Common mistakes when preparing DV-100

  • Incomplete or vague incident descriptions that fail to convey immediacy and risk, weakening the petitioner’s request.
  • Using inconsistent names or addresses for the respondent, which can prevent effective service and cause delays.
  • Failing to attach key evidence such as police reports, photos, or medical records referenced in the narrative.
  • Not requesting or explaining the need for a temporary ex parte order when immediate protection is necessary.

Step-by-step: completing and filing DV-100

Follow these four core steps to prepare, file, and move a restraining order request through the court system.

  • 01
    Gather evidence: Collect police reports, photos, messages, and witness statements.
  • 02
    Complete form: Fill DV-100 accurately and attach supporting exhibits.
  • 03
    File with court: Submit to the clerk for filing and request temporary orders if needed.
  • 04
    Serve respondent: Arrange lawful service and file proof with the court before the hearing.

Where to file and what the court does next

Filing initiates court review, possible ex parte orders, scheduled hearings, and required service on the respondent; local procedures vary by county.

  • File at courthouse: Submit DV-100 to the family law clerk.
  • Judicial review: Judge considers temporary relief requests ex parte.
  • Temporary orders: Judge may issue same-day protection if urgent danger is shown.
  • Hearing scheduled: Court sets hearing for the full restraining order determination.

How to customize an online DV-100 workflow

Configure a secure digital workflow to prepare the form, collect signatures, attach exhibits, and maintain an audit trail for filing and service.

Field Configuration
Upload document Use searchable PDF, preserve original formatting
Place fields Add name, date, signature, and checkbox fields
Authentication Use email or SMS verification for signer ID
Evidence attachments Attach exhibits as separate, labeled PDF files

Digital delivery and file-format considerations

Courts and process servers accept specific file types and evidence formats; prepare files so they are printable and legible.

  • Supported formats: PDF, DOCX, JPEG
  • Integrations: Google Drive, Microsoft 365, NetSuite
  • Audit trail: Timestamp and IP logging

Use platform features that preserve original document fidelity, produce a court-ready PDF, and keep a tamper-evident audit trail for filing and enforcement.

Key timing expectations after filing DV-100

Timing varies, but urgent petitions often receive expedited review and a follow-up hearing schedule; check local court rules for exact intervals.

Emergency orders:

Temporary orders may issue the same day upon ex parte showing

Hearing scheduling:

A full hearing is typically set within weeks of filing

Service deadline:

Respondent must be served before the scheduled hearing

Proof of service:

File proof of service with the court prior to hearing

Extension requests:

Requests to extend orders require notice and court approval

Key milestones from filing to final order

Track these sequential stages to ensure compliance and timely protection throughout the restraining order process.

01

Prepare petition

Gather evidence and complete DV-100 and exhibits before filing.

02

File with court

Clerk stamps and places petition on calendar; request temporary relief if needed.

03

Serve respondent

Arrange lawful service and submit proof to the court prior to hearing.

04

Hearing and order

Judge holds hearing and may issue long-term protection or dismiss the petition.

Practical tips for accurate and efficient DV-100 completion

Follow these practices to improve the clarity of your petition and to preserve evidence for the judge.

Be specific about incidents
List dates, times, and locations with brief factual sentences so the court can assess immediacy and pattern of behavior.
Attach labeled exhibits
Provide police reports, photos, and medical records as separately labeled PDFs referenced in your narrative for easy review.
Confirm respondent identity
Include aliases, vehicle description, and last known location to enable correct service and avoid delays in enforcement.
Keep multiple copies
Retain originals and provide copies to counsel, advocates, and the court; file proof of service promptly after delivery.

How DV-100 differs from other protective order petitions

Compare the DV-100 domestic-violence petition with a civil harassment petition (CH-100) to understand appropriate filing choices.

Order Type Domestic Violence (DV-100) Civil Harassment (CH-100)
Primary use domestic/intimate partner abuse non-intimate harassment
Parties involved spouse, partner, cohabitant neighbor, roommate, stranger
Typical relief stay-away, custody, move-out stay-away, no custody orders
Venue family or superior court superior or civil court

eSignature provider pricing and capability comparison for DV-100 workflows

Compare common vendor pricing and capabilities relevant to preparing, signing, and managing DV-100 documents and supporting exhibits.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Realistic filing scenarios for DV-100 use

These two anonymized scenarios illustrate typical reasons for filing and common evidence packages.

Scenario 1

A petitioner documents repeated threats and one physical assault occurring at home over two months, including photos and a police report

  • The petition references three dated incidents and two witness statements
  • At the hearing the judge issued a temporary restraining order and scheduled a full hearing where the petitioner provided medical records and text-message evidence to support a long-term order.

Scenario 2

A petitioner and respondent are former cohabitants with escalating harassment including stalking and property damage, documented with photos and timestamps

  • The petitioner requests stay-away and exclusive possession of the shared residence
  • The court granted an ex parte temporary order and required proof of service before a later hearing to decide permanent relief and custody-related requests.

Notarization and witness authentication steps

Most DV-100 filings do not require notarization, but attached declarations or service affidavits may require notarized signatures depending on local rules.

01

Check local rules

Confirm county requirements for affidavits or acknowledgements.

02

Notary options

Use in-person notary or approved RON if accepted by court.

03

Witness needs

Witness signatures rarely required on the petition itself.

04

Proof of service

Process server signs a proof of service form under penalty of perjury.

05

Audio-video recording

RON sessions often require recording and retention.

06

Retention of journal

Notaries must retain journal entries per state law.

07

Affidavit format

Use jurat or acknowledgment as required by the document.

08

Clerk verification

Court clerk reviews notarization and service before hearing.

Frequently asked questions about DV-100 completion and filing

Answers to common questions about electronic submission, service, evidence, and next steps when filing a DV-100.


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