You fill out California Form DV-180 by writing in the names of both parties, the case number, the agreed terms of the domestic violence restraining order, and signing it in front of a judge or court clerk so the order becomes binding without a contested hearing. Form DV-180, titled Agreement and Judgment of Dissolution or Legal Separation Pursuant to Family Code § 2400, is sometimes confused with the DV-130 Restraining Order After Hearing, but the DV-180 is the stipulated (agreed) restraining order families use when both sides settle the case before a judge issues a contested ruling.
This form lets people resolve their Domestic Violence Prevention Act case without a fight, but a single mistake on the form can leave a victim unprotected or saddle a respondent with firearm bans, custody losses, and a 10-year CLETS entry. According to the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, nearly 1 in 3 California women and 1 in 4 California men experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes, and the Judicial Council reports that more than 60,000 domestic violence restraining orders are filed each year statewide.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How to complete every line of Form DV-180 the right way, with named-person examples
- ⚖️ The federal and California laws that control what you can and cannot agree to
- 🚫 The 7 most common mistakes that void a DV-180 or trigger contempt charges
- 👨👩👧 How custody, visitation, support, and firearm rules attach to your stipulated order
- ❓ Answers to the 10 most-searched DV-180 questions, including duration, modification, and appeal
What Is California Form DV-180?
California Form DV-180 is the official Judicial Council form titled Agreement and Order Stipulating to a Domestic Violence Restraining Order, and the court uses it whenever both the protected person and the restrained person agree to the terms of a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) instead of fighting the case at a contested hearing. The form is published by the Judicial Council of California under California Rules of Court 1.31 and must be used in every California county.
Federal law sets the floor for what a DV-180 must contain. Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8), any qualifying restraining order automatically bans the restrained person from possessing firearms or ammunition while the order is in effect. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) gives a DV-180 full faith and credit in every other U.S. state, tribal land, and territory, meaning the order travels with the protected person across state lines.
California layers extra protections on top of the federal floor. The Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA), Family Code §§ 6200–6460, authorizes stay-away, no-contact, move-out, custody, support, and counseling orders, and Family Code § 6345 (amended by SB 538 in 2023) lets the court issue a DVRO for up to 5 years, renewable for life. A DV-180 that omits a required check-box can lose these protections, and the consequence is that the restrained person walks free of firearm prohibitions, custody limits, or stay-away duties that the protected person assumed were in place.
A common misconception is that signing a DV-180 means admitting abuse, but the form contains a no-admission clause at item 4 that lets the restrained person stipulate to the order without admitting the underlying allegations. That clause matters because it protects the restrained person from collateral consequences in a related criminal case, immigration proceeding, or professional licensing review.
When You Use DV-180 Instead of DV-130
You use Form DV-180 when both parties agree to the restraining order before the contested hearing, and you use Form DV-130 when a judge issues the order after a contested hearing under Family Code § 6340. The difference is consent: DV-180 is a stipulation, DV-130 is a judicial finding.
Choosing the wrong form has real consequences. If a judge signs a DV-130 after a contested hearing, the findings of abuse become res judicata and can be used in a later civil suit, custody case, or immigration matter under In re Marriage of Nadkarni (2009) 173 Cal.App.4th 1483. A DV-180, by contrast, contains no findings of abuse if the restrained person checks the no-admission box, which preserves defenses in those collateral cases.
Consider Maria, a registered nurse, who agreed to a DV-180 with her ex-husband Jorge. Because Maria checked the no-admission box, the California Board of Registered Nursing could not use the order as a finding of professional misconduct. Had Maria signed a DV-130 after a contested hearing, the abuse findings would have triggered a mandatory reporting duty.
Step-by-Step: Filling Out Form DV-180
Form DV-180 has 11 numbered sections plus signature lines. Every section requires careful drafting because each line creates an enforceable order under Family Code § 6320.
Caption: Court, Case, and Party Information
Write the county name, court address, and branch on the top lines exactly as they appear on the Form DV-100 Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order. Copy the full legal names of the Protected Person and Restrained Person with no nicknames, and add the case number assigned at filing. A wrong case number sends the order to the wrong file, and the consequence is that law enforcement cannot find the order on CLETS when an officer runs a check.
For example, if David Lee Johnson files DV-100 and Sarah Marie Johnson is the restrained person, write David Lee Johnson in the protected box and Sarah Marie Johnson in the restrained box, never Dave or Sarah J. A common misconception is that middle names are optional, but the California Department of Justice CLETS Manual requires full names so officers can match the order to a driver’s license at the scene.
Item 1: Agreement to the Order
Item 1 asks both parties to check that they agree to the orders below. The protected person and restrained person must each initial this line. If either initial is missing, the clerk will reject the form, and the consequence is that no order issues that day, leaving the protected person without protection.
A real-world example: Tanya signed Item 1 but her partner Marcus refused to initial. The judge could not enter the DV-180 and instead set the matter for a contested hearing under Form DV-110, which extended Tanya’s temporary restraining order another 21 days. A common misconception is that one party’s signature is enough, but a stipulation requires both signatures because it is a contract under Civil Code § 1550.
Item 2: No-Contact and Stay-Away Orders
Item 2 lists the personal-conduct orders authorized by Family Code § 6320, including no harassing, attacking, stalking, threatening, sexually assaulting, battering, contacting, or disturbing the peace of the protected person. Disturbing the peace is broadly defined under Burquet v. Brumbaugh (2014) 223 Cal.App.4th 1140 and In re Marriage of Nadkarni to include hacking email, posting on social media, and sending repeated texts.
Check every box that applies, and add yards (typically 100 yards) for the stay-away distance. The consequence of leaving boxes unchecked is that the restrained person can lawfully do whatever you forgot to prohibit. For example, if Lisa forgets to check contact, either directly or indirectly, her restrained ex-boyfriend can text her every day without violating the order.
Item 3: Move-Out and Property Control
Item 3 covers the move-out order under Family Code § 6321 and exclusive use of property under Family Code § 6324. Write the full address and list any vehicles, pets, or personal items the protected person needs.
A misconception is that move-out orders need proof of ownership, but Family Code § 6321(b) only requires that the protected person has a right to live there, even as a tenant or guest. The consequence of skipping this section is that the restrained person can return to the home and trigger another violent incident.
Item 4: No-Admission Clause
Item 4 contains the agreement without admission language. Checking this box means the restrained person agrees to the order without admitting the allegations in the DV-100. This is the single most negotiated line on the form.
The plain-English explanation is that the restrained person says “I will follow these rules but I am not admitting I did anything wrong.” The consequence of not checking this box is that any finding of abuse becomes admissible in a related criminal case under Evidence Code § 1220 as a party admission. A common misconception is that the no-admission clause weakens the order, but the order is fully enforceable either way under Penal Code § 273.6.
Items 5–6: Child Custody and Visitation
Items 5 and 6 set legal custody, physical custody, and visitation under Family Code § 3044, which creates a rebuttable presumption against awarding custody to a parent who has committed domestic violence in the past 5 years. Write the children’s names, dates of birth, and the custody schedule.
If the parties want supervised visitation, list the supervisor and the agency, such as Family Visitation Services or a court-approved professional. The consequence of vague visitation language is that a sheriff’s deputy will refuse to enforce a civil standby during exchanges. For example, Carlos and Diane wrote “reasonable visitation” on their DV-180, and when Carlos showed up at 7 a.m. on a Sunday, deputies told Diane they could not intervene because the term was undefined.
Item 7: Child and Spousal Support
Item 7 lets the parties agree to child support under Family Code § 4055 and spousal support under Family Code § 6341. Attach an Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150) to support the numbers.
A common misconception is that DV support is temporary only, but Family Code § 6341(c) allows support to last as long as the DVRO. The consequence of skipping this section is that the protected person must file a separate Request for Order on Form FL-300, which adds 6–10 weeks of delay.
Item 8: Firearm Relinquishment
Item 8 confirms the firearm prohibition required by Family Code § 6389 and 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8). The restrained person must turn in or sell every firearm within 24 hours, and file Form DV-800/JV-252 Proof of Firearms Turned In, Sold, or Stored within 48 hours.
The consequence of skipping this step is a felony charge under Penal Code § 29825 carrying up to 3 years in state prison. A common misconception is that hunting rifles are exempt, but United States v. Rahimi (2024) 602 U.S. ___ confirms that the federal ban applies to all firearms, including long guns and antiques.
Item 9: Other Orders
Item 9 is a catch-all for orders such as batterer’s intervention under Penal Code § 1203.097, drug or alcohol testing, or protection of pets under Family Code § 6320(b). Write each order on its own line.
For example, Priya included a pet-protection order for her dog Biscuit, which barred her ex-husband Raj from contacting the dog at the boarding facility. The consequence of omitting pet protection is that the abuser can use the pet to lure or coerce the protected person, a documented tactic noted by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Item 10: Duration of the Order
Item 10 sets the duration of the DVRO. Under Family Code § 6345, as amended by SB 538, the maximum term is 5 years, with permanent renewal possible.
A common misconception is that the order automatically renews, but the protected person must file Form DV-700 Request to Renew Restraining Order at least 3 months before expiration. The consequence of letting the order lapse is that CLETS removes the entry and the firearm ban ends.
Item 11: Signatures and Notarization
Both parties must sign in front of a judge, court clerk, or notary. Some counties require a Form DV-250 Proof of Personal Service when one party is not present.
The consequence of an unsigned DV-180 is no order at all. Even one missing signature voids the entire stipulation, and the temporary order under Form DV-110 expires on the original hearing date.
Three Common DV-180 Scenarios
Each scenario below shows how a single check-box choice changes the outcome.
| Stipulation Choice | Legal Consequence |
|---|---|
| Restrained person checks no-admission box at Item 4 | Order is enforceable, but no finding of abuse is admissible in criminal or licensing case |
| Parties agree to 5-year duration at Item 10 | CLETS entry runs full 5 years, firearm ban runs full 5 years, renewable under Family Code § 6345 |
| Parties skip child support at Item 7 | Protected parent must file separate FL-300, delaying support 6–10 weeks |
| Drafting Decision | Real-World Outcome |
|---|---|
| Stay-away set at 100 yards from home, work, and school | Police arrest restrained person on sight within 100 yards of any listed location |
| Stay-away set at “reasonable distance” only | Officers refuse to arrest because distance is undefined under Penal Code § 273.6 |
| Move-out address listed with unit number | Sheriff completes civil standby and removes restrained person same day |
| Custody Term | Effect on Family Code § 3044 Presumption |
|---|---|
| Sole legal and physical custody to protected parent | Presumption applied, restrained parent must rebut with evidence to modify later |
| Joint legal custody by stipulation | Parties expressly waive § 3044 presumption, modification standard is best interest |
| Supervised visitation through approved agency | Supervisor logs become evidence in any later modification proceeding |
Three Named-Person Examples
These mini-scenarios illustrate the form in action.
Maria and Jorge. Maria, a 38-year-old nurse in Fresno, filed a DV-100 after Jorge pushed her during an argument. They agreed to a DV-180 with the no-admission box checked, a 3-year duration, sole legal custody to Maria, and supervised visitation through Family Visitation Services. Maria kept her nursing license and Jorge avoided a criminal admission.
Tanya and Marcus. Tanya, a 29-year-old graduate student in Berkeley, sought protection after Marcus posted her private photos online. The DV-180 included a disturbing the peace order under Burquet v. Brumbaugh prohibiting any social-media contact. Marcus violated the order one week later and was charged under Penal Code § 273.6.
Priya and Raj. Priya, a 45-year-old engineer in San Jose, included her dog Biscuit in the DV-180 under Family Code § 6320(b). When Raj tried to retrieve the dog from a kennel, deputies enforced the pet-protection order and Raj was barred from the facility.
Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these errors that void a DV-180 or trigger contempt.
- Leaving the no-admission box blank when you mean to check it, which lets the protected person use the order as an admission in collateral cases under Evidence Code § 1220
- Writing nicknames instead of full legal names, which prevents CLETS matching at traffic stops
- Skipping firearm relinquishment under Family Code § 6389, which is a felony
- Using vague visitation terms like reasonable visitation, which deputies cannot enforce
- Forgetting to attach FL-150 when requesting support, which delays the support order
- Setting a duration over 5 years, which exceeds the Family Code § 6345 cap
- Failing to list pets at Item 9, which leaves a known coercion tactic untouched
- Omitting the move-out address, which lets the restrained person return home
- Checking joint custody without addressing the Family Code § 3044 presumption, which clouds future modifications
- Letting the order lapse without filing Form DV-700 at least 3 months before expiration
Do’s and Don’ts of the DV-180
These rules keep your stipulation enforceable and protect both sides.
- Do read every line aloud with your attorney or a legal aid clinic before signing, because a stipulation is a contract under Civil Code § 1550
- Do attach an FL-150 to any support request so the court has a numerical basis
- Do list specific addresses and distances at Item 2 so police can enforce the order
- Do check the no-admission box if collateral consequences matter to the restrained person
- Do file DV-800 within 48 hours to prove firearm compliance
- Don’t sign without a judge or notary present, because the order is unenforceable
- Don’t leave Item 10 blank, because the default is the maximum 5 years which may not match your intent
- Don’t use the DV-180 to settle property division, because Family Code § 6340 does not authorize asset transfers
- Don’t skip the children’s full names and birthdates, because law enforcement cannot match a child to the order
- Don’t assume the order travels — confirm full faith and credit under VAWA before crossing state lines
Pros and Cons of Stipulating to a DV-180
Weigh these tradeoffs before signing.
- Pro: Avoids a contested hearing, which saves 1–2 days of court time and reduces re-traumatization for the protected person under Family Code § 6303
- Pro: The no-admission box at Item 4 protects the restrained person from collateral findings in criminal, immigration, and licensing cases
- Pro: Custody, support, and pet protection can be bundled into one order
- Pro: CLETS entry is identical to a contested DV-130 order, giving the protected person the same level of police response
- Pro: Parties control the terms instead of a judge, which often produces a workable visitation schedule
- Con: The restrained person still faces a federal firearm ban under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) for the full duration
- Con: The order appears in background checks and the DOJ Restraining Order Registry
- Con: The Family Code § 3044 presumption may attach unless expressly waived
- Con: Modification requires another stipulation or a contested motion under Form DV-300
- Con: Some immigration consequences under INA § 237(a)(2)(E) may still apply even with a no-admission clause
Key Entities Behind Form DV-180
Several organizations and concepts shape every DV-180. The Judicial Council of California drafts and updates the form, and the California Department of Justice operates the CLETS database where every signed DV-180 is entered within 24 hours.
Local sheriffs and police agencies enforce the order, and the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence coordinates statewide victim advocacy. Federal partners include the Office on Violence Against Women at the U.S. Department of Justice, which administers VAWA grants to California courts and shelters.
Key court rulings shape how DV-180 terms are interpreted. In re Marriage of Nadkarni expanded disturbing the peace to cover email hacking, Burquet v. Brumbaugh extended it to repeated unwanted contact, and United States v. Rahimi upheld the federal firearm ban that attaches to every DV-180.
Recap of Key Court Rulings
Three rulings deserve special attention. In re Marriage of Nadkarni (2009) 173 Cal.App.4th 1483 held that destroying mental or emotional calm counts as disturbing the peace under Family Code § 6320, which means a DV-180 stay-away order can reach electronic surveillance and online posts.
Burquet v. Brumbaugh (2014) 223 Cal.App.4th 1140 confirmed that repeated unwanted contact, even without threats, justifies a DVRO. United States v. Rahimi (2024) 602 U.S. ___ upheld 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) under the Second Amendment, ensuring that the firearm ban tied to every DV-180 survives constitutional challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Form DV-180 the same as Form DV-130?
No. DV-180 is a stipulated agreement signed by both parties before a contested hearing, while DV-130 is the order a judge issues after a contested hearing under Family Code § 6340.
Can I check the no-admission box and still get a restraining order?
Yes. Item 4 lets the restrained person agree to the order without admitting the underlying allegations, and the order is fully enforceable under Penal Code § 273.6.
Does a DV-180 trigger a firearm ban?
Yes. Under Family Code § 6389 and 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8), every DV-180 triggers a firearm prohibition for the full duration of the order.
How long does a DV-180 last?
Yes, durations matter — the maximum is 5 years under Family Code § 6345 as amended by SB 538, and the order can be renewed for life using Form DV-700.
Can I change a DV-180 after both parties sign?
Yes. Either party can file Form DV-300 Request to Change Restraining Order and the court will modify the order if circumstances change.
Does a DV-180 affect child custody?
Yes. Family Code § 3044 creates a rebuttable presumption against awarding custody to a parent who has committed domestic violence within the past 5 years.
Will a DV-180 show up on a background check?
Yes. The order is entered in CLETS within 24 hours and appears on the DOJ Restraining Order Registry available to background-check vendors.
Is a DV-180 enforceable in other states?
Yes. Under VAWA’s full faith and credit clause, every U.S. state, tribal land, and territory must enforce a valid California DV-180.
Can I file a DV-180 without a lawyer?
Yes. California law allows self-represented parties to file, and free help is available through your county’s Self-Help Center and LawHelpCA.
Does a DV-180 affect immigration status?
Yes. Even with a no-admission clause, a DV-180 can trigger removal under INA § 237(a)(2)(E), so consult an immigration attorney before signing.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California Form DV-109 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form DV-110 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form DV-115 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form DV-130 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form DV-150 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form DV-250 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form DV-100 (w/Examples) + FAQs