2026 state court fee data · California

Domestic Violence Protection in California

Recorded at Free - among the cheaper civil filings in California, and one of 10 states where we price this filing.

Filing steps ↓ About this data

Fee rank is not wait rank

Signature reading for Domestic Violence Protection in California: 8 steps on published procedural depth for this filing. The published step list is thicker than the 6-step median for this filing (8 steps). According to PlainCivil's compiled state court fee schedules, Domestic Violence Protection in California ranks #101 of 120 process-state filings by maximum filing fee (highest max fee = #1). Civil Lawsuit is largest of 2 at $1,435 among 12 civil filings in California; that is not the longest wait: Divorce records 180 days on a $435 ceiling.

Domestic Violence Protection figures for California are compiled schedule reference, not legal advice - verify with the clerk where you intend to file.

In-state wait inventory

Waiting periods among California civil filings

Exclusive split of all 12 tracked filings in California - orthogonal to in-state fee placement below.

Compare a state record

Compare domestic violence protection with another state

Start with California, then inspect another published court-schedule record without leaving this page.

In-state placement

Where domestic violence protection sits among California filings

Of the 12 civil filings we track in California, domestic violence protection ranks 11 by recorded maximum fee: among the cheaper civil filings in California. Neighbours: Small Claims at $75 and Restraining Order at $0.

Same-state corpus only, not a national ranking. How we place filings

0 of 10 states publishing a waiting-period field for this filing impose one; California publishes a field and records none.

The California row lists 8 procedural steps against a 6-step median for this filing: a reading of published detail, not difficulty.

Filing Fee Details

Free. File DV-100 at Superior Court.

Key requirements (8-step published list)

  • Describe specific incidents with dates
  • Victim advocates available free
  • Can file without attorney
  • Court will keep address confidential if requested

Step-by-Step Process

  1. 1

    Go to courthouse or call hotline (1-800-799-7233)

  2. 2

    Meet with victim advocate (free)

  3. 3

    Complete petition describing incidents

  4. 4

    Judge reviews same day

  5. 5

    Temporary protective order issued if granted

  6. 6

    Law enforcement serves respondent

  7. 7

    Full hearing within 21-25 days

  8. 8

    Permanent order issued at hearing

Grounds / Eligibility

Physical assault, battery, sexual assault, stalking, harassment by household/family member

Quick Reference

Fee stamp
WAIVED schedule band
Wait stamp
OPEN clock band
Filing Fee
Free
Residency
Not required - file where abuse occurred or where petitioner lives
Waiting Period
None required
Typical Timeline
TRO same-day; permanent hearing within 21-25 days

Official Resources

California Court Website

Nearest fee-schedule peers in California

Ordered by ABS(filing_fee_max) to this row's WAIVED stamp - not an A-Z process catalog.

Restraining Order
WAIVED
Free
TRO same-day; permanent hearing within 21-25 days
Small Claims
NOMINAL
$30–$75
30-70 days from filing to hearing
Tenant Rights
CLERK
$30–$240
1-3 months depending on action
Divorce
STANDARD
$435
6 months minimum, 12-18+ months if contested
Name Change
STANDARD
$435
2-4 months
Eviction
STANDARD
$240–$450
Uncontested: 3-5 weeks. Contested: 2-3 months.

Take this with you

What to do with domestic violence protection in California's numbers, next.

Filing fees and requirements change; verify current figures with your local court before filing.

According to published California court materials compiled in the PlainCivil state-process database. See our methodology for source categories and vintage. Schedule row for Domestic Violence Protection in California: max fee Free, wait None, vintage 2026-09-01.