Ask to change or end a domestic violence restraining order
If you want to change or end any of the orders made by the judge in a Restraining Order After Hearing (form DV-130), you have to file court papers to make the request.
This page has instructions on how to ask to change or to end a domestic violence restraining order (DVRO). Use different instructions to respond to the other side's request to change or end a DVRO or to ask to extend (renew) your current restraining order.
Before you start
If you want to change or end a restraining order that is still active (not expired), follow the steps below. If the restraining order has already expired but other orders, like child custody or visitation orders, are still in effect, find out how to request changes to those orders.
For the steps below, you will need a copy of your current restraining order:
- Form DV-130 or
- Form JV-255 (If there is a juvenile restraining order in effect that was based on domestic violence and the juvenile case has been closed, you can follow the steps below.)
How to ask to change or end the orders
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Fill out required forms
- Fill out Request to Change or End Restraining Order (form DV-300)
Use this form to tell the judge what you are asking for and why. - Fill out items 1 and 2 on Notice of Court Hearing and Temporary Order to Change or End Restraining Order (form DV-310)
The court will complete most of this form.
- Fill out Request to Change or End Restraining Order (form DV-300)
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Fill out forms for child custody and visitation, if it applies
If you’re asking to change child custody or visitation orders that were granted through your restraining order, you must also complete Request to Change Child Custody and Visitation Orders (form DV-305).
If your court’s family law facilitator or Self-Help Center helps people with restraining order issues, ask them to review your paperwork. They can make sure you filled it out properly before you move ahead with your case.
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Make copies of your forms
Make at least 3 copies of all your forms. Two copies will be for you, one copy will be for the other person. The original is for the court.
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File your forms
Take your original plus copies of all your forms to the court clerk. The clerk will keep the original and return the copies to you, with a court date and time stamped on the first page of each form. There is no fee to file these forms.
If you asked to change child custody or visitation orders, you may need to go to mediation or child custody recommending counseling before you see the judge.
Yes, you can file by mail. Mail the original and 2 copies to the clerk. You need to include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can mail your copies back to you. If you do not include a self-addressed, stamped envelope you will have to go to the courthouse to pick up your copies.
You can also use a drop box. This is a box outside the courthouse where you can drop off forms to be filed without going inside the court. If you use the drop box, you shoudl also include a self-addressed and stamped envelope so the clerk can mail the forms back to you with teh court date. If you do not, you will need to go back to pick up the forms.
Some courts allow online filing (called e-filing). You can find out if your court has online filing by visiting your court’s website.
Domestic violence restraining orders