Restraining order papers.
Personally served.
The other person has to be personally served before your court date. A registered process server hands them the papers and completes the proof of personal service for you to file.
Restraining order packet
To be served
- Your request and notice of court hearing
- Any temporary order the judge signed
- Blank response forms to serve
- Served by
- California registered process server
- Returned to you
- Proof of Personal Service (DV-200 or CH-200)
Your court’s instructions decide the forms and deadlines. Affid serves the papers you’ve prepared.
How serving restraining order papers works.
What official California court sources say about serving these papers, with a link to each source. It explains the practical workflow; it isn’t legal advice.
You can’t serve the papers yourself. For a domestic violence restraining order, the sheriff will serve them for free, or you can choose someone else, such as a professional process server.
California Courts: Have someone serve your domestic violence papersServe the person at least the number of days before your court date shown on your Notice of Court Hearing, for example item 6 on page 2 of form CH-109.
California Courts: Have someone serve your civil harassment papersThe server completes the Proof of Personal Service: DV-200 for domestic violence, CH-200 for civil harassment. You file it with the court clerk.
California Courts: Have someone serve your domestic violence papersKeep a copy of the proof of service and any order with you, and bring them to your court date.
California Courts: Have someone serve your domestic violence papersWhat to prepare.
- Copies of every page you were told to serve
- Your court date and the service deadline on your notice
- A photo or description of the person and where to find them
- Any safety concerns the server should know
What you receive.
- A record of each attempt and its outcome
- The completed proof of personal service for you to file
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The sheriff or another peace officer can also serve your papers.
Questions people ask.
All questionsShould I use the sheriff or a process server?
The court notes the sheriff can be a safe option and serves domestic violence papers for free. A process server can help when you want flexible timing or several attempts. Either way, you can’t serve them yourself.
Which restraining orders can you serve?
Domestic violence, civil harassment, elder or dependent adult abuse and workplace violence papers, using the forms and instructions your court provided.
What if they can’t be found before the hearing?
Each attempt is recorded for you. Bring the record to court and follow the court’s instructions on what to do when service wasn’t completed in time.
Official sources
Get your restraining order papers served.
Share the prepared papers, the address and your deadline. Scope and fees are confirmed before work begins.