Instructions for Completing and Submitting your DV or GV Restraining Order Forms

The easiest way to complete and save your documents is to use one of the guided form completion tools.  These tools ensure your forms are complete, and they generate the correct format for the court to accept.  Follow the links on the Online Submission page to use one of these tools. 

The guided tools are interview style and your answers are used to complete the forms. This takes the guesswork out of what forms you need to complete, and what fields you need to complete on the forms. 

You may also complete forms by hand and scan them, or use a document preparation service other than the links we provide.  The services we link to are free of charge.  Be wary of document generation services which charge a fee, many of them are built on the same platform as the no cost versions. 

If you are unable to complete the forms online or need further assistance you may visit our Self-Help Center Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 to 11 a.m.  Room 310 at the Courthouse (825 5th St).  You may also pick packets up from Court Operations (421 I st) Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  There is no cost for the paperwork or to file a restraining order.  It is not necessary to fill out a fee waiver.

At the end of the interview you will be prompted to save your documents.  In most cases you should save the DV/GV-100, 109, 110 and CLETS-001.  It is not necessary to include the response paperwork with your online submission.   

After completing the interview and saving your completed PDF forms, log in to the Case Access Portal. If this is your first time using the portal, you will need to create a new account.

On the left side of the portal, select either Domestic Violence or Gun Violence, depending on the type of restraining order you are requesting. Complete the online filing form and ensure all information is accurate and complete. Incomplete or inaccurate submissions may delay processing or result in your filing needing to be resubmitted.

At the end of the filing process, you will be prompted to upload your completed forms. All submissions must include the following forms:

• DV/GV-100
• DV/GV-109
• DV/GV-110
• CLETS-001

If you have photographs or other supporting documents you would like the Court to consider, attach them to the DV/GV-100 before uploading your forms.

Important: LawHelp Interactive and other document preparation services may save your completed forms as a single PDF packet. The Case Access Portal requires each required form to be uploaded separately. If your forms are combined into one PDF, you will need to separate the packet into individual PDF files before uploading them.

After attaching all required forms and any additional evidence you would like the Court to consider, click proceed at the bottom of the page.

Requests received during normal business hours will be processed as quickly as possible and submitted to a judicial officer for review. Most requests are processed within one business day. Once your request has been reviewed, you will receive an email from CourtCMS containing your filed Request for Restraining Order, any Temporary Restraining Order that was granted, and your Notice of Hearing with the date and time of your court hearing.

If you prefer, you may also pick up your completed documents from Court Operations, located at 421 I Street, Eureka, CA. Court Operations is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. To confirm that your documents are ready before coming to the courthouse, please call (707) 445-7256.

Requests submitted outside of normal business hours will be processed on the next court business day.

Serving the Other Party

After your documents have been issued by the Court, they must be personally served on the restrained person. The Court cannot serve your paperwork for you.

Your documents may be served by:

• The Sheriff's Office (there is no fee to serve restraining order documents)

• Any person who is at least 18 years old and is not a party to the case (such as a friend or family member)

• A registered process server

Additional information about service is available on the California Courts Self-Help website.

You must serve copies of:

• Request for Restraining Order (DV/GV-100)

• Notice of Hearing (DV/GV-109)

• Temporary Restraining Order (DV/GV-110), if one was granted

• Any attachments filed with your request

• A blank Response (DV/GV-120)

If a Temporary Restraining Order was not issued, you will not receive a DV/GV-110.

Links to the appropriate blank response forms are provided below:

• Domestic Violence Response

• Gun Violence Response

Printing Your Documents

Restraining order documents must be personally served, so you will need printed copies of your documents.

If you do not have access to a printer, many local businesses offer printing services for a fee. If you receive public assistance, your social worker may be able to direct you to free or low-cost printing resources. You may also obtain copies from Court Operations at 421 I Street, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Filing Proof of Service

After the documents have been served, a Proof of Service must be filed with the Court before your hearing.

If service is completed by the Sheriff's Office or a registered process server, they will generally prepare the Proof of Service for you. If your documents are served by a friend or family member, that person must complete the appropriate Proof of Service form (Domestic Violence Proof of Service or Gun Violence Proof of Service). The completed Proof of Service must be filed with the Court before your scheduled hearing.