Recently updated on May 12th, 2024 at 12:56 pm
Process Overview
This website presents a list of questions, and then at the end generates the paperwork for the Civil Harassment Restraining Order (CHRO)
HOW THIS WEBSITE WORKS
This website provides a guided experience to people who are working themselves on preparing the court forms for a Civil Harassment Restraining Order.

1. Take Screening
Select the specific protection order you want to file for. Then answer a few questions to determine your eligibility.

2. Prepare Documents for Restraining Order
Prepare the main set of your court documents by covering one topic at a time presented in simple language, and from any device. Then digitally sign without the need to print or re-scan the documents.

3. Consult Advocate (Optional)
Depending on your situation, we can suggest any trusted free victim advocacy non profits. The advocate can assist you with certain aspects of the case and safety planning. They can review your case documents, and talk to you directly to discuss your case.

4 File for Restraining Order Online
This website simplifies the filing to a couple of clicks, and get follow up messages notifications from the court. You also have the option to download and print the PDF files and file in person.
How to get a restraining order? How to apply for a restraining order? How to Obtain a Restraining Order?
How to get a restraining order ? How to apply for a restraining order? Or more precisely how to get a Civil Harassment Restraining Order? Getting a restraining order typically involves filing the case and attending a hearing which can take anywhere from one *day (emergency situations) to up to three weeks.
Step 1
You: Gather evidence (proof of harassment) to get a restraining order
Gather evidence to support your case though your personal testimony alone is also evidence.
The fallowing are considered as evidence of harassment
Evidence Type 1: Pending Criminal Case
Judges are also more likely to issue an order if there is an ongoing criminal case, therefore it’s important to call such cases out when seeking a temporary restraining order.
When a judge sees that there’s a criminal case happening, they might think it means the police or the district attorney are pretty sure they can prove the crime happened.
Evidence Type 2: Photos of violence, injuries, damage
These are the most common types of evidence submitted. These can be photos of victim’s injuries inflicted by the abuser. It is helpful to add photos next to the related incident description to help create a complete picture for the judge.
Evidence Type 3: Print outs of messages, emails or transcripts of voicemail
You can take screenshots of text messages and attach them. Similarly you can print emails and attach them as pictures or PDF files. While in most cases you cannot submit digital files such as
Evidence Type 4: 911 Calls
Rather than just saying you called 911 or any specific hotline, you can make your case stronger by listing the following items.
The date and time (or approximate date and time) when the call was made
Who made the call
What was reported on the call
Any specific details of the person who answer the 911 call e.g. male/female voice
Evidence Type 5: Medical Records. You can attach documentation of previous medical emergencies or injuries that resulted from the actions of the abuser. These could be hospital visit records, print outs from your hospital portal (E.g. mychart) showing details of your visit.
Evidence Type 6: Police reports
You can attach a copy of the police reports filed against abuser for harassment.
Evidence Type 7: Testimony
A testimony from a witness. The witness can be anyone such as a family member, neighbor a co-worker or a bystander. The testimony is just an essay written describing the incidents witnessed, with as many specifics as possible.
Step 2
You: Take Online Screening
Determine if your situation is roughly suitable for applying for a Civil Harassment Restraining Order by taking a screening. You can being by entering your zip code in the top right corner.
Step 3
You: Create Case Documents - "Packet"
After the screening this website will guide you through the rest of the steps to creating the case documents.
Just for your knowledge: In order to file for a Civil Harassment Restraining Order, you need to fill and submit a standardized set of official California court forms. These have questions aimed at understanding your situation and the people involved.
Example: The form which gathers the main information is CH-100 Request for Civil Harassment Restraining Order.
Step 4
You: File the restraining order online with the court
To formally request the court, you need to submit the documents with the clerk at the court. This step is called filing, and there are two ways of doing this step, and both have the same effect:
- Online (Called E-file)
- In person
This website offers both filing options.
You can digitally sign and e-file with the court. E-filing is convenient and you can do it anytime. The date of filing is the when you file, or the next day if you file after hours. The restraining order case documents is filed at your county's Superior Courts. Example: Orange County Superior Court or Riverside County Superior Court
You can also download the PDF files and then walk in to the court and submit in person
Once the filling is successful a case number is assigned.
Step 5
Judge Issues a Temporary Restraining Order
Depending on the facts and evidence presented, a Judge can issue a restraining order the same day until the hearing, called an Emergency Temporary Order.
In relatively less risky situations, a temporary order is issued in a few days.
If there are no grounds or if the application is incomplete or the jurisdiction is incorrect the request for an order may be denied. Optionally a hearing may be set for the parties to present their case.
The temporary order is only valid for about 3 weeks which is the amount of time until the hearing. If the hearing is delayed for any reason, you need to check with the court to ensure the temporary order is re-issued until the hearing.
Step 6
Law Enforcement: Delivers Temporary Restraining Order to the abuser
- Clerk would have the abuser served by law enforcement. You don't need to do anything in this case
- Clerk would give you a packet of temporary order and other documents, and you will have it formally served via another adult or legal courier to the abuser
Step 7
You, Abuser: Attend Court Hearing
Attend a hearing: The court holds a hearing within a couple of weeks where the evidence is examined. If there is sufficient supporting evidence as determined by a Judge, a full restraining order is issued. At this point it becomes a crime for the abuser to break the conditions of the restraining order.
If the abuser misses this hearing even though they were served the court order on time (about 1 week before the hearing) then you might get the court order automatically i.e. without discussion and further evidence.
Step 8
You: Collect Final Order
After the hearing, a final restraining order may be issued. You can take a paper copy of the order with you for your record, and which can be crucial if you have to call the police for a future incident. The order is typically valid for 5 years.
California restraining order laws
What are the requirements of a restraining order? That question is answered by the definition. It is important because a restraining order will be issued if the abuser's behavior is shown to meet the definition.

Definition of Harassment
The following amounts to “harassment” under California law:
- Assault (intentionally attempting to cause harmful or offensive contact)
Example: Someone swings a fist at you, or throws an object at you, with the intention of hitting you, but miss. - Battery (intentional harmful or offensive contact)
Example: Someone swings a fist at you, or throws an object at you, with the intention of hitting you, and they are successful. - Stalking (a series of repeated actions that are meant to put you in fear for your safety, or the safety of your immediate family)*
Example: Someone continually follows you, watches you, makes repeated and unwanted contact with you (via internet, email, phone, fax or other methods of communication), with the purpose of making you feel scared. - Credible threat of violence (a statement or action that reasonably place you in fear for your safety, or the safety of your immediate family)
Example: “If you ever call the cops on me again I’m going to kill you” - Repeated actions that seriously alarm, annoy, or harass you, that serve no legitimate purpose and cause you extreme emotional distress.**
Example: Getting 50 unwanted and upsetting text messages, emails and/or phone calls from the same person within a week for no reason.
If someone has committed any of the above actions, you may have grounds to get a civil harassment restraining order.
*See Ann.Cal.C.C.P. §527.6(b); Ann.Cal.Penal Code §§240, 242, 646.9
**See Ann.Cal.C.C.P. §527.6(b)
WHO CAN START A CASE
This website provides a guided experience to people who are working themselves on preparing the court forms for a Civil Harassment Restraining Order.

1. Victim 15+ years
Anyone 15 years or older, and without a parent's permission can create the paperwork and file to start a case.

2. On behalf of a minor (under 18)
Someone 15 or older can petition on behalf of a minor who is a family or household member.

3. On behalf of a senior or disabled person
An adult can file on behalf of a vulnerable adult
WHAT RESTRICTIONS CAN YOU ASK THE JUDGE FOR
Here are the typical restrictions places on the abuser via the restraining order.

Stay Away From You
Abuser would have to stay at least 100 yards away from you, your children and locations you request such as your work

Hand over a car
Get access to cars held by the abuser

Don't post intimate images
Take down, delete, and do not distribute intimate images of a protected person, as defined in RCW 9A.86.010.

Not to contact you
Not to contact you via phone or text or mutual friends

Vacate the shared residence
The respondent can be asked to vacate the shared residence. You can also request help from police to kick them out.

Restrict Abusive Litigation
This is to prevent the misuse of the legal system to harass, intimidate, or burden you.

Not stalk you
Not stalk you or your loved ones, including your accounts on facebook or other social media

Handover Passport, Cell phone, Medications etc.
You an ask for your personal items such as passport, medications, clothes. This would be applicable if you were living together up to now.

Get Drugs, Mental health and Sex Offender Treatment
You can request the abuser to seek treatment for alcoholism, or drug use
FILED AT California COURTHOUSE
Your case documents are filed at a Superior Court in your county. Here are examples of some.

Alhambra Courthouse

Sacramento William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse.

San Francisco County Superior Court

Los Angeles
FAQs
After a court issues you a restraining order, and the abuser is informed about it, then if the abuser violates it you can call 9-1-1.
California Penal Code 273.6 PC makes it a crime for a person to violate the terms or conditions of a court-issued restraining order, protective order, or stay-away order. This offense is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of up to one year in jail.
But a second-offense violation of a restraining order, or a violation that involves an act of violence, can be charged as a felony and punished by up to 3 years in jail or prison.
You can get a temporary restraining order the same day as you file in case of an emergency as long as you apply on a business day and typically by noon. Regular (non emergency) orders may be issued in a few days. While some cases may be decided only at a hearing in a few weeks.
The filing fee is $435.
The filing fee is waived if:
- If there is violence, stalking, fear of violence
- You're below a certain income level. This can be proven by:
- Your proof of income
- You're receiving State provided benefits programs
List of Benefits program: Medi-Cal, Food Stamps-California Food Assistance Program, , CalFresh Program, or SNAP, SSP-State Supplemental Payment, Supp. Sec. Inc.-Supplemental Security Income (not Social Security), County Relief/Gen. Assist. -County Relief, General Relief (GR), or General Assistance (GA), Judicial Council of California, IHSS, • CalWORKs-California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Act, Tribal T ANF-Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, CAPI-Cash Assistance Program for Aged, Blind, or Disabled Legal Immigrants
Government Code, §§ 68630-68640 Cal. (Rules of Court, rules 3.51, 7.5)
All restraining orders including a Civil Harassment Restraining Order is typically issued for five years.
Yes it is possible but it depends on the order type and job.
As a legal warning, restraining orders forces the abuser to stay away from the victim and comply with other conditions or else they will be charged with a crime and face prison time. Furthermore by taking guns away from the abuser it can reduce the risk of fatality for the victim.
No, a lawyer is not required. However, having a lawyer in any legal situation can benefit you.
In California, about 400 Civil Harassment Restraining Order cases were filed daily from July 2019 to June 2020 (144,000 over 12 months).
If criminal charges are filed, then a restraining order is typically also filed as it provides protection for a set time frame just in case the criminal charges are dropped. Restraining orders are also important when no crime as been committed e.g. coercive control and therefore they are the only option in many situations.
How can a CHRO affect my relationship?
A restraining order can have several effects particularly if you run into the same person but overall it can be a positive thing that avoids bigger problems.
Do Restraining Orders Help?
Here the outcome of a research on restraining orders from University of New Hampshire

1. Reduce Violence
Restraining Orders are effective in reducing violence and harassment. For half the subjects in the sample studied, a restraining order stopped the violence. For the other half, the orders significantly reduced violence and abuse.

2. Cost Effective
Restraining orders are relatively low cost for victims and for the government, particularly when compared with the social and personal costs of violence.

3. Cities vs. Countryside
The impact of civil protective orders on reducing violence and abuse did not differ for rural (country side) and urban (cities) women. In rural areas, where resources and services for abuse or violence may be more limited, it is critical to reduce barriers to obtaining protective orders as research indicates they may be an effective resource. Community-level barriers to enforce civil protective orders exist for women in rural areas.
RISKS
The abuser may react to your filing for a restraining order
The abuser particularly in proximity situations (e.g. co-worker, neighbor) may react with anger due to the perceived loss of control over you and your household.
The respondent make cause damage to shared fence e.g. neighbors, or any other shared item to cause harm to you.
A particular risk is if the respondent has access to guns or other firearms they might actually kill you. Here's an example from 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana
The abuser may report you or your loved ones undocumented US immigration status to the U.S authorities, or cancel health insurance.
Fearing restrictions the abuser may cause harm e.g. with neighbors report you to HOA or in case of workplaces, report you to HR.
The abuser may spread false information particularly on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or other social media.
Court Forms (Templates) Created
When you pass the screening and complete the questionnaires, you can then download the following standard court forms filled correctly with your information. These court forms are provided by the the Judicial Council of California.

Core Forms
Depending on Situation
TYPES OF RESTRAINING ORDERS in California
In California there are six types of civil protection orders, with Civil Harassment Restraining Order being one of them.
Domestic violence is abuse from a romantic partner, or a family or a household member. The abuse can involve physical or sexual violence, or a pattern of harassment or controlling behavior or merely threats to harm.
This is aimed at banning firearms for someone who poses significant danger to self or others. This protection order must be requested by a family or household member or a law enforcement agency.
For harassment, stalking, abuse, or threats by neighbor, co-worker, roommate, distant relative or a total stranger and not a current or former romantic partner or a close family or household member.
Only a private school administration can request this type of restraining order to protect a student (and their family) from threats of violence on campus.
Only an employer can ask for a workplace violence restraining order to protect an employee who has suffered stalking, serious harassment, violence, or a credible (real) threat of violence at the workplace. An employee cannot ask for this restraining order.
For protecting senior citizens (over 65) or other disabled persons who are being abused, neglected or exploited including financially by an abusive caregiver, family member, acquaintance or stranger.