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Restraining Orders

Restraining Order Applications

Family Law Emergency Ex Parte filings may be filed in-person from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Spinetta Family Law Center, 751 Pine Street, Martinez, CA.

 Domestic Violence Restraining Orders may be submitted via the Courts E-filing portal.

 Domestic Violence Restraining Orders may also be submitted to the following courthouses:
 

Spinetta Family Law Center, 751 Pine Street, Martinez, CA

  • In Person: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Via Drop Box located at the front of the building, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Via Mail To: Family Law, 751 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553.

Richmond Superior Court, George D. Carroll Courthouse, 100 37th Street, Richmond, CA 94805

You can submit your Domestic Violence Restraining Order to the Richmond Courthouse ONLY IF you meet ALL of the following:

  • You reside in West Contra Costa County.
  • You are not married to the person from whom you want protection.
  • And, you do not have children with the person from whom you want protection.

If you meet the above criteria, you can submit your forms at the Richmond Courthouse via the following:

  • In Person: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Via Drop Box located at the front of the building, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Via Mail To: 100 37th Street, Richmond, CA 94805.

If you do not meet all of the above criteria, you must file your forms at the Spinetta Family Law Center in Martinez.

Effective 5/13/24: Pittsburg Superior Court, Richard E. Arnason Justice Center, 1000 Center Drive, Pittsburg, CA 94565

You can submit your Domestic Violence Restraining Order to the Pittsburg Courthouse ONLY IF you meet ALL of the following:

  • You reside in East Contra Costa County.
  • You are not married to the person from whom you want protection.
  • And, you do not have children with the person from whom you want protection.

If you meet the above criteria, you can submit your forms at the Pittsburg Courthouse via the following:

  • In Person: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Via Drop Box located at the front of the building, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Via Mail To: 1000 Center Drive, Pittsburg, CA 94565.

If you do not meet all of the above criteria, you must file your forms at the Spinetta Family Law Center in Martinez.

Domestic Violence Restraining Order forms may be generated using this DVRO interview link.
You will be required to download the forms to be submitted.

DVROs must be picked up in person from the courthouse to which they were submitted.
Monday – Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Family court staff will contact attorneys and litigants when their orders are ready for pick up.

Civil Harassment, Private Postsecondary School, Workplace Violence, and Elder Abuse requests shall be brought to:

Department 57, Room 102
725 Court St., Martinez
Monday - Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Civil Harassment Restraining Order forms may be generated using this CHRO interview link.
You will be required to download the forms to be submitted.

Gun Violence Restraining Order forms may be submitted by email as a PDF to:
civilgunviolence@contracosta.courts.ca.gov

Gun Violence Restraining Order forms may be generated using this GVRO interview link.
You will be required to download the forms to be submitted.

Hearings will generally be conducted in person, except as provided for gun violence orders or as requested.

Remote appearances require compliance with CCP Section 367.75 and completion of RA-010.
Oppositions to requests for remote appearances require completion of RA-015.
Only in cases where remote appearance is opposed, written court approval will be required.

For all remote hearings, parties must serve and submit documents to the clerk’s office in person, via drop box or overnight delivery 3 court days prior to the hearing. Electronic delivery is not permitted.

REMOTE ACCESS PROCEDURES FOR DOMESTIC & GUN VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDERS

Free and Low Cost Legal Help (Ayuda legal gratis y de bajo costo)

The California Judicial Council offers Free and Low Cost Legal Help - external link Ayuda legal gratis y de bajo costo - external link to help you find people and information that can help you with your case. There is information on Libraries, Lawyers, Self-Help Legal Books, Legal Help Questions and Answers, and Legal Help in Other States.

Information About Gun and Firearms Relinquishment

In Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, the court may make orders for the restrained party to relinquish or turn in any firearms and ammunition. For more information about gun relinquishment orders and how they work, please see the following resources:

What kind of Restraining Order Do I need?

People Type of Restraining Order Where to get the Restraining Order
Family members, current or former people with whom you have been intimate Domestic Violence Restraining Order Family Law Court
You or abuser is over the age of 65 and there are allegations of physical, financial or emotional/psychological abuse Elder Abuse Taylor Courthouse
Neighbor or other unrelated person Civil Harassment Order Taylor Courthouse
Workers and/or managers Workplace Violence Taylor Courthouse