2026 state court fee data · California

Restraining Order 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 Restraining Order in California: 7 steps on published procedural depth for this filing. The published step list sits near the 6-step median for this filing (7 steps). According to PlainCivil's compiled state court fee schedules, Restraining Order 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.

Restraining Order 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 restraining order with another state

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

In-state placement

Where restraining order sits among California filings

Of the 12 civil filings we track in California, restraining order ranks 11 by recorded maximum fee: among the cheaper civil filings in California.

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 7 procedural steps against a 6-step median for this filing: a reading of published detail, not difficulty.

Filing Fee Details

Free for domestic violence, civil harassment, elder abuse.

Key Requirements

  • Complete petition describing incidents with dates
  • File at courthouse (emergency filings available)
  • Judge reviews ex parte (without respondent)
  • Temporary order issued same day if granted
  • Full hearing within 10-30 days

Step-by-Step Process

  1. 1

    Go to courthouse and request protection order forms

  2. 2

    Complete petition describing abuse incidents

  3. 3

    Judge reviews petition same day

  4. 4

    Temporary order issued if granted

  5. 5

    Order served on respondent by law enforcement

  6. 6

    Full hearing within 21-25 days

  7. 7

    Permanent order issued at hearing if warranted

Grounds / Eligibility

Domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, harassment, elder abuse

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.

Domestic Violence Protection
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 restraining order 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 Restraining Order in California: max fee Free, wait None, vintage 2026-09-01.