Respond to a request to change or end a domestic violence restraining order
To respond to a request to change or end a domestic violence order, you need to:
- Fill out and file a response form
- Have a copy of your response sent to the other side (called serving court papers)
- Prepare for and go your court date
️ Responding in writing before the court date is optional. But if you disagree with the orders requested in the other side's form DV-300, you must go to the hearing if you want the judge to hear your side.
️ If you're the restrained person and there's a criminal investigation or case related to what happened, you should talk to your criminal lawyer before you put anything in writing. If you don't have a lawyer, you can go to a self-help center ️ (link opens in a new tab) to learn more about your options.
What orders did the other side ask to change or end
Look at the other side's Request to Change or End Restraining Order (form DV-300) to see what orders they are asking the judge to change or end, and why.
How to respond to a request to change or end a restraining order
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Fill out your response
Use the Response to Request to Change or End Restraining Order (form DV-320).
This form lets you tell the judge and other side if you agree or disagree with the request and why.
If you need to reschedule the court date
You will need to file papers to reschedule your court date.
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Fill out forms for specific situations
Depending on the requests made in the Request to Change or End Restraining Order (form DV-300), you may need other forms.
- To respond to a request to change child custody or visitation (parenting time) orders, fill out Response to Request to Change Child Custody and Visitation Orders (form DV-325)
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To respond to a request to change child support, fill out a current Income and Expense Declaration (form FL-150).
You can ask your court's self-help center ️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
After you've filled out and signed your forms, make 2 copies.
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Take your forms to the court clerk
- To file your forms with the court, give the original and the 2 copies to the court clerk.
- The clerk will keep the original and will stamp the copies and return them to you.
There is no fee to file form DV-320.
You can file online (called e-filing). Go to your court's website to find out how to e-file.
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 should also include a self-addressed and stamped envelope so the clerk can mail the forms back to you with the court date. If you do not, you will need to go back to pick up the forms.