Fill out civil harassment restraining order forms
The first step in getting a civil harassment restraining order is to tell the court about the harassment, stalking, threats, or harm you've experienced, as well as the protection you want. You do this by filling out a set of court forms. Filling out the forms usually takes one to several hours for most people.
Before you start
You will need to give details about why you need a restraining order. Writing about your experience can be upsetting and bring up a lot of emotions. You can get help from your court's free Self-Help Center or ask someone you trust to help you fill out the forms.
Request a civil harassment restraining order
You will need to fill out at least five forms to ask for a restraining order.
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Fill out all required forms
1. Request for Civil Harassment Restraining Orders (form CH-100)
Use this form to tell the judge:
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Why you need a restraining order (what the person did to you)
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What orders you want the judge to make
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If you want protection right away (if so, check form CH-100, item 11)
Note: If the other person has been violent towards you, stalked you, or threatened violence, you will not have to pay the court filing fee. To make this request, check item 13a on form CH-100.
This section is important because the judge will decide whether to grant you a restraining order based on what you write in this section. On form CH-100, item 7, you will explain how the person you want protection from has been violent towards you, stalked you, threatened violence, or harassed you.
It means violence, like hitting, kicking, pulling hair, throwing things, or sexually assaulting someone. It also means threatening to do any of those things or any other violent acts. Harassment also includes other repeated actions that make someone feel scared, annoyed, or harassed and cause emotional harm, such as stalking someone, keeping someone under surveillance, or repeatedly making threatening phone calls, emails, or internet posts.Start with the most recent incident first, even if it is not the worst incident. Write down the facts of what happened. The judge needs facts to make a decision. For example, if the person has been harassing you, tell the judge what the person did to harass you, like how many times they harassed you, and what they did each time to harass you. If you have proof (like an email or a text message), you can include it with your request.
Once you are finished writing about the most recent event, you can write about another incident you want the judge to know about at item 7(b). Give as much detail as you can. If there has been more than one incident, be sure to write down how long the harassment has been going on, how often it has happened, and any physical or emotional harm it has caused. If you need more space to write, you can use form MC-025.
What if I don't have exact dates?
If you don't remember the exact day something happened, give an estimate and write down that it is an estimate. To help you remember, think about whether the incident happened around a holiday or special occasion.
2. Confidential CLETS Information (form CLETS-001)
The information on this form will help police enforce your restraining order. The court will not use the information on this form and the person you want a restraining order against will not get a copy. Some information is mandatory and is marked with an asterisk (*). You may not have all the other information about the restrained person. Fill in as much as you can.
3. Notice of Court Hearing (form CH-109)
The court will complete most of this form. You only need to complete items 1 and 2.
4. Temporary Restraining Order (form CH-110)
You need this form if you are asking for protection right away (if you checked form CH-100, item 7). The court will complete most of this form. You only need to complete items 1, 2, and 3.
5. Civil Case Cover Sheet (form CM-010)
This form tells the court basic information about the type of case you are filing.
- In the top section, write your name and address, court name and address, and case name
- In the Civil Case Cover Sheet box, check "Unlimited" as the case type
- In item 1 under "Miscellaneous," check "Other"
- In item 2, check the box in front of "is not" a complex case
- In item 5, check the box in front of "is not" a class action suit
You can download the forms or you can use an online program to fill them out. To use the online program, click the button below and choose the "Restraining Orders" interview.
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Fill out optional forms
Ask for no fees in your case
To ask for this kind of restraining order, you may have to pay the court $435-$450.
If the court grants you one of these, you will not have to pay court fees:
- The other person has been violent towards you, stalked you, or threatened violence. Write down the details on your CH-100 forms and be sure to check the boxes next to items 13, 13a, and 13b. You will not have to pay a fee to file your papers or have the sheriff serve them if, based on your statement in your papers, the judge agrees that your case may involve violence, stalking, or threats of violence.
- You can’t afford the fees. You qualify for a fee waiver if you have a low-income, receive public benefits, or you can't afford the fee and meet your basic needs. You will need to check the boxes next to items 13 and 13c on the CH-100 form and fill out two extra forms:
- Request to Waive Fees (form FW-001). Learn more about how to fill out this form.
- Order on Request to Waive Fees (form FW-003). The court will complete most of this form. You only need to complete numbers 1 and 2.
If you think you qualify for #1 and #2, you can apply for both. If you don't qualify for #1 or #2, you will have to pay court fees (starting at $435) when you turn in your papers.
Decide if you want to keep a child's information private
Anything you file in this case will be available to the public. If there is sensitive information about a child in this case, you can ask the judge to make the information confidential, which means that the public would not have access to it. This can include the child's name, address, or allegations involving the child. To make this request, contact your local Self-Help Center for help.
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Check to see if you have any local forms to complete
Some county courts have additional local forms they require you to use. The most common local form will have questions about whether you told the other side that you are asking for a restraining order. Contact your court's free Self-Help Center, or the court clerk’s office, to see if they have any local forms you need to use. You can find your local court at Find My Court.
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Make two copies of all your forms
After you’ve completed and signed all your forms, make two copies. You'll need the two copies, plus the original, when you file with the court.
File Your Request
What's Next
Once you’ve completed the forms and made copies, you’ll file them with the court.