Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

DV-120 Response to Request for Domestic Violence

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Answer to Temporary Restraining Order

DV-120

Answer to Temporary Restraining Order

(Domestic Violence Prevention)

Clerk stamps date here when form is filed.

Fill in court name and street address:

Superior Court of California, County of

Clerk fills in case number:

Case Number:

1 Name of person who asked for the order (protected person):

2 Your name:

Your address (skip this if you have a lawyer): (If you want your address to be private, give a mailing address instead):

City:

State:

Zip:

Your telephone (optional):

Your lawyer (if you have one): (Name, address, telephone number, and State Bar number):

The judge can consider your Answer at the hearing. Write your hearing date and time here:

Hearing Date

Date:

Time:

Dept.:

Room:

You must obey the orders until the hearing. If you do not come to this hearing, the judge can make the orders last for 3 years or longer.

Give the judge your answers to DV-100:

3 Personal Conduct Orders

I do do not agree to the order requested.

4 Stay-Away Order

I do do not agree to the order requested.

5 Move-Out Order

I do do not agree to the order requested.

6 Child Custody

a. I do do not agree to the custody order requested.

b. I am not the parent of the child listed in DV-105.

c. I ask for the following custody order (specify):

d. I do do not agree to the orders requested to prevent child abduction.

7 Visitation

a. I do do not agree to the visitation order requested.

b. I ask for the following visitation order (specify):

8 Child Support

a. I do do not agree to the order requested.

b. I agree to pay guideline child support.

You must fill out, serve, and file Form FL-150 or FL-155.

9 Spousal Support

I do do not agree to the order requested.

Whether or not you agree, you must fill out, serve, and file Form FL-150.

10 Property Control

I do do not agree to the order requested.

If you have other requests, list them in 19 below.

11 Debt Payment

I do do not agree to the order requested.

If you have other requests, list them in 19 below.

12 Property Restraint

I do do not agree to the order requested.

If you have other requests, list them in 19 below.

13 Attorney Fees and Costs

I do do not agree to the order requested.

14 Payments for Costs and Services

I do do not agree to the order requested.

15 Batterer Intervention Program

I do do not agree to the order requested.

16 Other Orders (see item 20 on Form DV-100)

I do do not agree to the orders requested.

17 Turn in guns or other firearms.

a. I do not own or have any guns or firearms.

b. I have have not turned in my guns and firearms to the police or a licensed gun dealer.

c. A copy of the receipt is attached. has already been filed with the court.

You must file a receipt with the court within 72 hours after receiving Form DV-110.

18 I ask the court to order payment of my

a. Attorney fees

b. Out-of-pocket expenses because the temporary restraining order was issued without enough supporting facts. The expenses are:

Item:

Amount: $

Item:

Amount: $

You must fill out, serve, and file Form FL-150.

19 My Answer to the Statements in DV-100 and Other Requests

Please attach your statement. Write “DV-120, Item 19—More Information” at the top. Be specific.

20 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

Judicial Council of California,

Revised July 1, 2007, Mandatory Form

Family Code, § 6200 et seq.

Answer to Temporary Restraining Order

(Domestic Violence Prevention)

electronic form © 2005

WWW.LawCA.com

Law Publishers

DV-120, Page 1 of 2

Enter text✕
Prepare your document for signing right on this page
  • 01 Edit the text and complete the fields
  • 02 Click Sign Now and on the next screen add recipients and signature fields in SignNow
  • 03 Start your free trial to sign and send your doc
Sign Now

What the DV-120 Response to Request for Domestic Violence is and when it’s used

The DV-120 Response to Request for Domestic Violence is a California Judicial Council form used when a person responds to a Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order. It records the respondent’s position, facts, and requests for or objections to relief and is filed with the family or superior court. Completing DV-120 accurately preserves procedural rights, notifies the court and petitioner of the respondent’s stance, and shapes the issues the court will consider at the hearing. It is distinct from the initial request and must reflect current facts and supporting details.

Why filing a clear DV-120 matters for case outcomes

Submitting a timely, complete DV-120 ensures the court has the respondent’s account before a hearing, can limit or tailor orders, and helps avoid default orders entered without respondent input.

Why filing a clear DV-120 matters for case outcomes

Who typically completes and files the DV-120

The DV-120 is completed by the respondent or the respondent’s attorney and is filed with the court handling the restraining order case.

  • Respondent — fills factual sections, requests relief or denies allegations, and provides contact details for court notices.
  • Defense attorney — prepares a legally framed response, attaches evidence, and ensures procedural rules and timelines are met.
  • Court clerk or family law facilitator — accepts filings, assigns hearing dates, and provides local filing instructions and fee waiver forms.

If you are unsure whether to file or how to answer specific allegations, consult court self-help services or qualified counsel before submitting DV-120.

Step-by-step: filling, signing, and filing DV-120

Complete these core steps in order to produce a court-ready DV-120 and preserve your procedural rights.

  • 01
    Gather documents: Collect the Request, any evidence, and identification.
  • 02
    Complete form: Answer each applicable box and add factual details.
  • 03
    Sign and date: Sign in ink or follow eFiling e-sign rules.
  • 04
    File and serve: File with court and serve petitioner per local rules.

Where DV-120 goes and how it is processed by the court

After you file DV-120, the court clerk reviews, schedules a hearing if needed, and notifies parties of dates and orders.

  • File with court: Submit DV-120 to the court clerk or via eFiling.
  • Clerk review: Clerk assigns case number and hearing date if applicable.
  • Service on petitioner: Proof of service must be provided per local rules.
  • Hearing and order: Court hears both sides and issues orders.

Preparing an electronic DV-120 workflow

If using eFiling or an eSignature platform, configure fields, signer roles, and document routing before sending the DV-120.

Field | Configuration Field name and expected input | Required/Optional
Case Number Auto-filled | Required
Respondent Signature Signature block | Required
Date Filed MM/DD/YYYY | Required
Evidence Attachments PDF attachments | Optional

Technical considerations for eSigning and eFiling DV-120

Choose platform settings that meet court eFiling rules and preserve an audit trail for each signature event.

  • Document format: PDF/A preferred for filings.
  • Authentication level: Use email or SMS code authentication.
  • Audit trail: Ensure timestamps and IP logs are captured.

Confirm the court’s local eFiling requirements before submitting electronically and retain the audit trail copy for your records.

Time-sensitive steps and common timing expectations

Deadlines and hearing schedules vary; follow court notices and the Request for Domestic Violence to determine exact filing and service timelines.

File promptly:

File DV-120 as soon as possible after receipt.

Serve proof of service:

Serve petitioner per local rules before hearing.

Check hearing date:

Court notice will list the hearing date and time.

Request continuance:

File a timely request if you need more preparation time.

Fee waiver timing:

Apply for waivers before or at the time of filing.

Key milestones from service to court order

Typical sequential milestones describe how the case advances after the initial Request and your DV-120 response.

01

Service of Request

Petitioner serves the Request on the respondent.

02

Respondent files DV-120

Respondent submits the response to the court.

03

Proof of service filed

Show petitioner was served with your response.

04

Court hearing

Judge hears evidence and issues orders.

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing DV-120

  • Failing to include the correct case number or court name, which can delay docketing and require re-filing.
  • Submitting unsigned or undated responses, causing the court to treat the form as incomplete or invalid.
  • Providing vague or hearsay-only statements instead of concrete facts, dates, and witness details the court can evaluate.
  • Neglecting to serve the petitioner with a copy of the response and proof of service before the hearing.

Consequences of an incorrect or missing DV-120

Default Order: Court may grant protective order without respondent input.
Lost opportunity: You may be unable to present evidence at hearing.
Contempt Risk: Failing to comply with orders can lead to sanctions.
Record implications: Orders can affect custody and employment records.
Perjury exposure: False statements may lead to criminal consequences.
Evidence exclusion: Late documents may be excluded at hearing.

Practical tips for accurate and efficient DV-120 completion

Use these best practices to reduce processing delays and preserve your position in court.

Copy information exactly
Transfer names, case numbers, and court names exactly from the Request for Domestic Violence to avoid mismatches.
Limit to facts
Provide concise factual statements with dates; avoid emotional language that obscures key points.
Attach evidence
Include declarations, photographs, or documents referenced in your response with clear exhibit labels.
Keep records
Retain signed originals, proof of service, and a stamped filed copy from the court for your records.

Comparing DV-120 with other protective order response forms

Use this comparison to understand how DV-120 (California) differs from response forms in other jurisdictions and general features to expect.

Criteria California DV-120 Typical Out-of-State Form
Standardized form varies by state
Notarization required varies
eFiling common yes in many counties varies by state
Detailed factual sections sometimes

Digital signing and eFiling vendor pricing comparison for handling DV-120 workflows

Compare base plans and compliance features commonly required for court forms. signNow appears first per vendor ordering rules and pricing items are shown at plan entry level.

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 Yes, 7-day trial No No Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about DV-120 completion and filing

Quick answers to common uncertainties about completing, signing, and submitting the DV-120 form and handling related procedural steps.


Need help? Contact support

Explore Templates

Letter Confirming Closure of Case
be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users
Sign Now
Company
Forms
Pricing
Resources
Knowledge base
Other Products
© 2026 airSlate Inc. All rights reserved.