---
title: "California Restraining Order Changes for 2027: Ammunition, Military Protective Orders and Free E-Filing"
description: "Three laws change how California domestic violence restraining orders work starting Jan. 1, 2027, with more changes in 2028. They cover ammunition, military protective orders, firearm database searches and free online filing. Here is what each one does, for people asking for an order and for people served with one."
url: "https://www.thehfirm.com/blog/california-restraining-order-changes-2027"
site: "H Law Group"
published: "2026-11-03T17:00:00.000Z"
---

# California Restraining Order Changes for 2027: Ammunition, Military Protective Orders and Free E-Filing

Three laws change how California domestic violence restraining orders work starting Jan. 1, 2027, with more changes in 2028. They cover ammunition, military protective orders, firearm database searches and free online filing. Here is what each one does, for people asking for an order and for people served with one.

Category: Domestic Violence

Author: Nima Haddadi -- California DUI and criminal defense lawyer

California's domestic violence restraining order system gets several updates on Jan. 1, 2027. Two of the bills were signed this fall, and a third was signed in 2025 with a delayed start date. Together they change what evidence a judge can consider, what a restrained person has to give up, and how much it costs to file and appear.

We represent people on both sides of these cases, most often the person served with an order. The summary below is written for both.

## SB 99: military protective orders

[SB 99](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB99) (Sen. Catherine Blakespear, Chapter 844, signed Sept. 30, 2026) connects the military's protective order system to California's civil courts and police.

A military protective order is issued by a commanding officer, not a judge, against a service member under that officer's command. The new Family Code 6310 lets a judge deciding whether to issue a domestic violence restraining order consider evidence that a military protective order was issued against the respondent for the same or similar conduct. The law covers orders from the U.S. Armed Forces, the California National Guard, and other states' National Guards.

SB 99 also amends Family Code 6383. When an officer at a domestic violence call learns that a military protective order exists, the officer has to check the National Crime Information Center to verify it. If the restrained person is violating a domestic violence protective order, the officer has to notify the agency that entered the military order. Local police departments may also sign agreements with nearby bases on how to handle domestic violence cases involving service members.

For a service member, this means a commander's order, which may have been issued with little chance to respond, can now show up as evidence in a civil restraining order hearing. How much weight a judge gives it is still up to the judge.

## AB 1753: ammunition, firearm searches and notice

[AB 1753](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1753) (Asm. Catherine Stefani, Chapter 458, signed Sept. 26, 2026) is the broadest of the three. The parts without a later start date take effect Jan. 1, 2027:

- Ammunition is now spelled out. A person subject to a protective order has to relinquish any ammunition in their immediate possession or control, along with any firearms. Earlier law was less explicit about ammunition in some of the order types.
- Prosecutors have to check the gun database. On any domestic violence charge, the district attorney or city attorney has to search the Department of Justice Automated Firearms System, in addition to the protective order databases they already check.
- Background searches for more order types. Courts may now order the same background searches used in domestic violence cases (prior violent felonies, registered firearms, prior restraining orders) before hearings on civil harassment, elder abuse, gun violence, workplace violence and school restraining orders.
- Notice to protected people. Prosecuting agencies have to make sure protected people are told when a protective order is issued, what it says and how long it lasts.

Several more changes start Jan. 1, 2028. A court cannot require advance notice to the other side before accepting an ex parte (emergency) restraining order request if the applicant certifies under oath that notice would likely endanger someone. Out-of-state extreme risk protection orders become enforceable in California. Workplace violence and school restraining order cases get free remote appearances and electronic filing.

## AB 561: free e-filing and remote hearings

[AB 561](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB561) (Asm. Sharon Quirk-Silva, Chapter 267) was signed Oct. 3, 2025, but its main provisions start Jan. 1, 2027. Courts that take domestic violence restraining order petitions have to accept electronic filings at no charge to the petitioner, and courts cannot charge a fee for a party, support person or witness to appear remotely at the hearing. Civil harassment petitions can also be filed electronically, with free remote appearances, and elder and dependent adult abuse petitions get similar treatment.

## The changes at a glance

| Bill | What changes | Starts |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SB 99 | Judges may consider military protective orders; police must verify them and notify the military | Jan. 1, 2027 |
| AB 1753 | Explicit ammunition relinquishment; prosecutors search the firearms database; broader background searches; notice to protected people | Jan. 1, 2027 |
| AB 1753 | No advance notice for dangerous ex parte requests; out-of-state extreme risk orders enforced; remote and e-filing for workplace and school orders | Jan. 1, 2028 |
| AB 561 | Free electronic filing for DVRO petitions; no fee for remote appearances; e-filing for civil harassment | Jan. 1, 2027 |

## If you've been served with a restraining order

None of these laws changes the basic timeline. A temporary restraining order is usually followed by a hearing within about three weeks, and what happens there decides whether a longer order is issued, often for several years. Before that hearing, the order already limits what you can do.

- Firearms and, as of 2027, ammunition have to be turned in, sold to a licensed dealer, or stored with one, usually within 24 hours of being served. You then have to file proof with the court.
- Violating the order is a crime under Penal Code 273.6, even if the protected person invites contact. Disobeying any court order can also be charged as [contempt of court under Penal Code 166](/penal-codes/pc-166-contempt-of-court).
- A civil restraining order case runs separately from any criminal case. A criminal protective order issued in a [domestic violence prosecution](/criminal/domestic-violence-attorney), such as a [Penal Code 273.5 case](/criminal/pc-273-5-attorney), can sit on top of a civil one, and police enforce whichever order the law gives priority.
- Who counts as a protected relationship is broader than many people expect. See our post on [who counts as a cohabitant](/blog/who-counts-as-a-cohabitant-under-california-law).

Our [restraining order defense page](/criminal/restraining-order-attorney) explains how these hearings work, and our guide to [temporary restraining orders in California](/blog/temporary-restraining-orders-and-how-to-get-one-in-california) covers the process from the petitioner's side. If firearms are involved, see our [firearm defense page](/criminal/firearm-attorney).

## Frequently asked questions

### What changes for California restraining orders in 2027?

Starting Jan. 1, 2027, judges can consider military protective orders in domestic violence restraining order cases (SB 99), restrained people must explicitly give up ammunition as well as firearms (AB 1753), and courts must accept DVRO petitions electronically for free and cannot charge for remote appearances (AB 561).

### Can a military protective order be used in a California restraining order case?

Yes, starting Jan. 1, 2027. Under new Family Code 6310, a judge may consider evidence that a military protective order was issued against the respondent for the same or similar conduct. The judge decides how much weight it gets.

### Do I have to turn in ammunition if I'm served with a restraining order?

Yes. AB 1753 makes clear that a person subject to a protective order must relinquish ammunition in their immediate possession or control, not just firearms.

### Is it free to file for a domestic violence restraining order online in California?

There is already no filing fee for a DVRO petition. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, AB 561 also requires courts to accept electronic filings at no charge and bars fees for remote appearances at the hearing.

### When can someone get an emergency restraining order without notifying the other person?

Starting Jan. 1, 2028, AB 1753 bars courts from requiring advance notice for an ex parte restraining order request if the applicant certifies under oath that notice would likely endanger the petitioner or others.

## Sources

- [SB 99 (Blakespear), Chapter 844, Statutes of 2026: bill text](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB99), California Legislative Information
- [AB 1753 (Stefani), Chapter 458, Statutes of 2026: bill text](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1753), California Legislative Information
- [AB 561 (Quirk-Silva), Chapter 267, Statutes of 2025: bill text](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB561), California Legislative Information
- [Sen. Blakespear's legislation to protect against domestic violence signed into law](https://sd38.senate.ca.gov/news/sen-blakespears-legislation-protect-against-domestic-violence-signed-law), Office of Sen. Catherine Blakespear
- [Family Code section 6389 (firearm relinquishment)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FAM&sectionNum=6389), California Legislative Information
- [Penal Code section 273.6 (violating a protective order)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&sectionNum=273.6), California Legislative Information

## About Nima Haddadi

Nima Haddadi is a leading California DUI and criminal defense attorney with deep expertise in handling complex cases. Known for strategic defense and courtroom strength, he is a trusted choice for clients facing DUI, felony, and misdemeanor charges.

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