California Domestic Violence Restraining Order Court Forms

CLETS-001: The California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, or CLETS, form is a confidential form filed with California Law Enforcement. Form CLETS-001 does not become a part of the public record, as it asks for the names, addresses, and descriptions of each protected party, as well as the restrained party. California Law Enforcement references the CLETS form in any instances in which they need to enforce the restraining order.

FL-150: The Income and Expense Declaration is a financial disclosure document that asks each party for their employment, education, income, and expense information. If either party requests financial orders such as child support, spousal support, payment of attorney’s fees and costs, debt payment orders, etc., both parties must file this form with the court and disclose the financial information requested. Additionally, at the hearing, both Petitioner and Respondent are required to bring proof of income and tax return documents.

The court will use this financial information, as well as the percentage of parenting time (visitation) that each parent spends with their children, to determine whether to grant or deny the requested financial orders.

Form DV-101: The Description of Abuse, is an optional form on which the party seeking protection, also known as the Petitioner, can provide additional information beyond what is stated in the DV-100 form (the Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order), describing what the party against whom a restraining order did to justify the court issuing a restraining order against him/her. Specific descriptions of factual acts committed by the person against whom a restraining order is sought must be stated, i.e., what the person against whom a restraining order is sought specifically did to the party requesting the .

Form DV-100: the Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order, is the document that the person seeking protection, also known as the Petitioner, must submit to the court in order to request a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (i.e., start a DVRO case). It is the first court form filed by the Petitioner, in which he/she: (1) describes any instances of abuse committed by the party against whom a restraining order is sought and (2) requests the orders he/she needs to protect himself/herself (and his/her children, if applicable). The person against whom a restraining order is sought is known as the Respondent. This form is filed with several attachments, which include the CLETS-001 form (note, this form is not made part of the public court record), Notice of Hearing (form DV-109), a proposed Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) (form DV-110), and several other possible attachments, depending on the case’s circumstances. Anyone 12 and over can apply for a DVRO without parental consent.

We know that this process can be overwhelming, so our packages provide an in-depth explanation of each type of order a party can request so that he/she can each make informed decisions about his/her case.

DV-105: In instances in which the party seeking protection, also known as the Petitioner, is requesting a restraining order to protect his/her child/children from the other parent, he/she can use form DV-105, the Request for Child Custody and Visitation Orders, to request child custody and visitation orders. Child Custody refers to the rights and responsibilities between parents for taking care of their children. Visitation (aka parenting time) refers to how and when each parent will spend time with the children, whether that time will be unsupervised or supervised.

We know that this process can be overwhelming, so our packages provide an in-depth explanation of child custody, visitation, and child support issues so that each party can make informed decisions about their case.

DV-108: In instances in which the protected party, also known as the Petitioner, is requesting a restraining order against their child or children’s other parent, they can use this form to request that the restrained party, also known as the Respondent, be prohibited from traveling with the children in order to prevent child abduction. More specifically, the form allows the Petitioner to choose whether they would like to restrict the Respondent’s travel with the children at the county, state, or international level, and it allows the Petitioner to describe the reasons why the Respondent might pose a flight risk.

DV-109: This document is served alongside the Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order (form DV-100) and several attachment forms. It serves as notice to the Respondent (aka, the person the restraining order is against) that there will be a court hearing during which the judge will rule on whether or not to issue a permanent Domestic Violence Restraining Order. The form provides a date, time, and location of the hearing. This document must be served onto (given to) the Respondent prior to the hearing in accordance with the laws governing service.

DV-110: A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) is an order for the Respondent (aka, the restrained party / the person the restraining order is against) to temporarily stay away from the Petitioner (aka, the protected party), including the Petitioner’s home, vehicle, work, and protected household or family members (if a stay away order is requested and granted under the TRO). A TRO can also include orders for the Respondent not to contact the Petitioner, for the Respondent to move out of a shared residence, and the Petitioner’s right to record conversations. TROs are typically issued the same day that the Petitioner files their first set of DVRO forms with the court. TROs can be valid for around three weeks or until the scheduled court hearing. Additionally, the Respondent must be served with (given) the TRO before police can enforce the order. It is only valid and enforceable until the date of the hearing but may be made into a permanent order after the hearing. Anyone 12 and over can apply for a TRO without parental consent.

We know that this process can be overwhelming, so our packages provide an in-depth explanation of each type of order the protected party can request so that each party can make informed decisions about their case.

DV-115: This form allows a party to request that the court reschedule (push back) a scheduled court hearing to a later date than the one listed on DV-109. This process is called requesting a continuance. The hearing can be continued (pushed back) if the restrained party, also known as the Respondent, has not yet been served, if the Respondent needs more time to prepare for the hearing, or if the circumstances surrounding the case require that both parties need more time for preparation.

DV-116: This form is the official order on the Request to Continue Hearing (form DV-115) above. The court may use this document to issue a continuance (i.e., push back the hearing) or reaffirm the court date (i.e., deny the request to push back the hearing). Additionally, the court must list the reasons why it is granting or denying the request for a continuance.

DV-120: This form allows the person the restraining order is against, also known as the Respondent, to respond to the protected party’s Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order (form DV-100). The protected party, or the person getting a restraining order, is known as the Petitioner. There is no cost to file this form with the court. The Respondent can either agree or disagree with the requests and statements that the Petitioner wrote in their Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order. The Respondent may use this form to tell their side of the story and why their requests should be granted over the Petitioner’s requests. The Respondent must file this form and a Proof of Service by Mail (form DV-250) (see below) with the court at least 2 days before the hearing. The date of the hearing is listed on the front of the Notice of Court Hearing (form DV-109).

DV-130: This form, the Restraining Order After Hearing (ROAH), is a “permanent” restraining order issued by the court against the Respondent (aka, the person restrained by the order) after a hearing. The ROAH provides the same specific restrictions as a TRO (see Temporary Restraining order, form FL-110, above for more information) and may be ordered for up to five years. The protected party, also known as the Petitioner, may renew the order when it expires, if necessary.

If child support or spousal support (alimony) is ordered, the ROAH may also include the Child Custody and Visitation Order (form DV-140), No Travel with Children (form DV-145), or other attachments.

DV-140: This form serves as the parties’ official child custody and visitation orders if one or both parties requested child custody and visitation orders through the Request for Child Custody and Visitation Orders (form DV-105) and they were granted by the court. More specifically, the form details the physical and legal custody arrangement between parents, as well as a specific visitation schedule that determines how and when each parent will spend time with the children.

We know that this process can be overwhelming, so our packages provide an in-depth explanation of child custody, visitation, and child support issues so that each party can make informed decisions about their case.

DV-145: If the Petitioner has requested child abduction prevention orders that prohibit the Respondent from traveling with the children, the court may grant official No Travel orders through this form. More specifically, the form details the specific locations to which the Respondent may not travel with the children.

DV-200: In a Domestic Violence Restraining Order case, a party files this form with the court to prove that their court forms were personally served to the other party in accordance with California law. Per the California Code of Civil Procedure, the server can be anyone over the age of 18 who is not a party to the case (i.e., NOT the Petitioner or Respondent), such as a professional process server, family member, friend, or acquaintance. The server must fill out and sign this form. More specifically, the server must list the date, time, and address at which the other party was served. The server must also provide their contact information in case the court needs to verify the information they provided about how and when the service happened.

DV-250: In a Domestic Violence Restraining Order case, a party files this form with the court to prove that their court forms were served, by mail, to the other party in accordance with California law. Per California law, the server can be anyone over the age of 18 who is not a party to the case (i.e., NOT the Petitioner or Respondent), such as a professional process server, family member, friend, or acquaintance. The server must fill out and sign this form. More specifically, the server must list the date, time, and address at which the other party was served (this refers to the time that the court forms were mailed). The server must also provide their contact information in case the court needs to verify the information they provided about how and when the service happened.

DV-300: This form is used to request changes to or the termination of a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO). The petitioner can specify which parts of the restraining order they wish to modify or whether they seek to terminate it entirely. This form is essential for initiating the process to adjust or end the conditions of an existing DVRO.

DV-305: Form DV-305 allows a party to request changes to existing child custody and visitation orders included within a Domestic Violence Restraining Order. The form requires detailed information on the proposed changes and reasons supporting the request, helping the court determine if the modifications align with the best interests of the child.

DV-310: This form serves as notice of the court hearing to the other party involved in a request to change or end a restraining order. It includes the date, time, and location of the hearing, and may also issue temporary orders pending the final hearing.

DV-315: This form is used to request the rescheduling of a court hearing initially set to consider changes or the termination of a restraining order. It must be filled out by the party seeking the continuance (reschedule).

DV-316: This form is the court's response to Form DV-315, outlining the court's decision regarding the rescheduling request, either granting or denying the change in hearing date.

DV-320: This form allows the party who is not initiating the change or termination request (typically the respondent) to provide their responses to the assertions made in the initial request (Form DV-300). The respondent can agree with, disagree with, or offer a different perspective on the requested changes or termination of the restraining order.

DV-700: The protected party, also known as the Petitioner, may file this form to request to renew (extend) their “permanent” restraining order (the Restraining Order After Hearing (ROAH), form DV-130). ROAHs can be issued for up to 5 years, and the court recommends that individuals file their requests to renew at least 3 months in advance of the date the ROAH is set to expire. The Petitioner must indicate the reasons why the ROAH should be renewed/extended. If granted, the court may opt to renew the ROAH either permanently/indefinitely or for another five years.

DV-710: This document is served alongside the Request to Renew Restraining Order (form DV-700) and a copy of the Restraining Order After Hearing (form DV-130). It serves as notice to the Respondent (aka, the person the restraining order is against) that there will be a court hearing during which the judge will rule on whether or not to renew the “permanent” Restraining Order After the Hearing. The form provides a date, time, and location of the hearing. This document must be served onto (given to) the Respondent prior to the hearing in accordance with the laws governing service, which are described thoroughly in each of our packages.

DV-715: This form is used by individuals who are seeking to reschedule a previously set court hearing related to the renewal of a restraining order. This form allows the requesting party to propose a new hearing date, providing reasons for the need to reschedule. It must be filed with the court that originally issued the restraining order, and the court will set a new hearing date based on the availability and the reasons provided.

DV-716: This form is the court's order on a Request to Reschedule Hearing (DV-715). This form documents the court's decision on whether the hearing to renew a restraining order will be rescheduled. It outlines the new hearing date and any instructions or conditions set by the court. This order is critical in ensuring that all parties involved are informed of the new timeline and any adjustments to the proceedings.

DV-720: This form allows the person the restraining order is against, also known as the Respondent, to respond to the protected party’s Request to Renew Restraining Order (form DV-700 above). The protected party, or the person who got the restraining order, is also known as the Petitioner. There is no cost to file this form with the court. The Respondent can either agree or disagree with what the Petitioner wrote in their Request to Renew Restraining Order. The Respondent may use this form to tell their side of the story and why their requests should be granted over the Petitioner’s requests. The Respondent must file this form and a Proof of Service by Mail (form DV-250) (see below) with the court at least 2 days before the hearing. The date of the hearing is listed on the front of the Notice of Hearing to Renew Restraining Order (form DV-710).