Ventura: Filing a Domestic Violence Restraining Order

HelpSelf's county-specific resources will help you file a domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) in your county. This article explains how to file a DVRO in Ventura County.

• Where to file:

You can file your papers at: 800 South Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA 93009.

• Who can help review my paperwork?

The following is a list of Ventura County resources who can help you in a domestic violence situation and their hotline numbers:Coalition for Family Harmony; http://thecoalition.org/; 805-983-6014Interface Children &' Family Services; http://icfs.org/; 805-485-6114

• How do I file my forms?
• (1) File your forms with the court at the Clerk's Office. Ask when your forms will be ready.
• (2) Pick up your restraining order from the Clerk's Office either on the same day or the next business day (depending on when the Clerk told you to come back).

• Do I have to give notice to the Respondent before I file my temporary restraining order forms?

You should fill out the Ventura - Dec re Ex Parte to tell the court whether you gave notice to the Respondent before 10 am on the court day before the hearing. Ventura County looks at the facts of each case to determine whether notice should be given to the Respondent before filing your initial temporary restraining order forms.Remember, you will always need to serve the document on the Respondent at least 5 days before the hearing date listed on your DV-109.

• Who can serve my papers on Respondent?

Respondent must be served at least five days before the hearing. The Sheriff's office will serve your papers for free. You can also have someone over the age of 18 who is not party to the case hand-deliver the documents to the person to be restrained. More information here.