Last updated: October 2026
What is a DVRO in California?
A DVRO is a domestic violence restraining order, a court order issued under California's Domestic Violence Prevention Act. It can require one person to stay away from and stop contacting another. A temporary order may issue before the hearing, and a longer order may follow after the court hears both sides.
This is general information about California family law. It is not legal advice, and reading it creates no attorney-client relationship. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
In our Mission Valley office, the first question we hear on many calls is simply what the letters mean. DVRO is the shorthand used at the courthouse and in the court forms. You may also see it written as DV restraining order. They all describe the same kind of order.
Who can ask for one?
The law covers certain close relationships, including spouses and former spouses, people who are dating or have dated, people who live together, and parents of a child together. The relationship matters because it decides which court process applies.
What can an order cover?
Depending on the facts the court finds, an order can address personal conduct and contact, stay-away distances, and sometimes related matters such as custody and visitation. In the orders we see, a stay-away distance of 100 yards is common, but each order is specific to the case in front of the judge. A final order after a hearing can last up to 5 years, and it can be renewed.
How does the process generally start?
The person asking for the order files a request with the court, using the court's forms, and describes what happened. There is no court filing fee for this request. A judge reviews it and decides whether to issue a temporary order until a hearing, which is usually set about 21 days out. The other side must then be formally served with the papers.
At the hearing, both sides can present their account and evidence. Because filings and deadlines are strict, many people want an attorney to review the paperwork before it goes in. In our experience, the most common problem is a declaration that is missing dates and specific details.
Why does a DVRO affect custody and other family matters?
A restraining order can overlap with custody and visitation, because the court is deciding who can be near whom and how exchanges happen. That is why it is a family law matter and not only a safety matter.
We handle domestic violence restraining orders as part of our family law practice, which is the only kind of law we practice. You can read more on the domestic violence practice area page or in the longer guide to domestic violence restraining orders in California.
We appear at the Downtown San Diego, Vista, El Cajon, and Chula Vista family courthouses from our office in Mission Valley. The initial consultation is free, at $0. Call or text (619) 250-2683. Spanish-language assistance is available through an outside translator.