How to organize evidence for a domestic-violence restraining order (DVRO)
Quick answer
Organizing evidence for a California domestic-violence restraining order (DVRO) means gathering records across the 6 factual topics this matter involves — incidents, threats, communications, injuries, witnesses, and children — and arranging them as a dated chronology with an exhibit index. These records support the California forms in this area (DV-100, DV-109, DV-110). This is organizing your evidence, not legal advice.
Last updated: June 2026
Organize the incident timeline and corroborating evidence for a domestic-violence restraining order. Highest urgency — temporary orders can move on a same-day / next-court-day footing.
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Evidence worth gathering
These are the factual topics commonly relevant to this kind of matter. For each, gather whatever you have that records it — and note anything you don't. This is about organizing records, not deciding what any of it legally means.
- Incidents / eventsDates, what happened, and anything that records it (a message, a photo, a report).
- Threats or safety indicatorsMessages, voicemails, or notes that capture the words used, with dates.
- Communications (texts, messages, calls)Texts, emails, and call logs — keep the full thread so context is clear.
- Injuries / medicalPhotos and any medical or treatment records, with the date they were taken or made.
- WitnessesNames and contact info for anyone who saw or heard something firsthand.
- ChildrenAnything that documents the children's schedule, school, or care.
How to organize your evidence
The process is the same whatever the matter — gather, label, build a chronology, then export. It's about organizing records into a clear file, not deciding what any of it legally means.
Gather everything you have
Collect the records that document your matter — screenshots, texts, emails, PDFs, photos, and any reports or statements. Don't filter yet; gather first.
Label each item and note its date
Give every piece of evidence a clear label and the date it records. ExhibitPack reads images with on-device OCR and pulls a verbatim source quote for each fact.
Build a dated chronology
Put the events in date order, each tied to the record that documents it, and group related records into factual topics. ExhibitPack builds the chronology and an exhibit index automatically.
Review the missing-evidence checklist
Check the list of records commonly relevant to your matter that you don't have yet, so you know what's worth tracking down before you finalize.
Export your packet
Export a clean, source-traceable PDF with the chronology, exhibit index, and declaration support — ready to take to an attorney, mediator, or self-help center.
What makes a packet attorney-ready
“Attorney-ready” describes a clean, organized, source-traceable file — not that a lawyer reviewed it. Here's what ExhibitPack assembles from your evidence:
A dated chronology
Events laid out in order, each tied to the evidence that records it — so anyone can follow what happened and when.
Factual issue clusters
Your evidence grouped by topic (the facts), never by a legal claim — so related records sit together.
An exhibit index
A labeled list of every document with a designation (A, B, C…) and a page reference, in a CRC 3.1110-style format.
Source-traceable facts
Every fact carries a verbatim quote from your own evidence, so a reviewer can verify it against the source — nothing is invented.
A missing-evidence checklist
A plain list of records commonly relevant to your matter that you don't have yet, so you know what's worth gathering.
Declaration support
Your dated facts arranged as numbered, factual paragraphs you (or your attorney) can build a declaration from.
Missing-evidence checklist
Records commonly relevant to this matter that people often don't have yet. Use it as a prompt for what's worth tracking down — not a list of requirements.
- Police report(s), if anyCorroborates incidents and is persuasive to the court.
- Photos of injuries or damageVisual corroboration of physical harm.
- Names/contact for any witnessesWitnesses can provide their own declarations.
Forms this matter commonly uses
General published information about the California Judicial Council forms associated with this kind of matter. ExhibitPack does not select forms for you or advise whether or when to use them — always verify against your court's current forms and rules.
- DV-100 — Request for Domestic Violence Restraining OrderDescribes the abuse and the orders requested (first form).
- DV-109 — Notice of Court HearingSets the hearing date for the longer-term order.
- DV-110 — Temporary Restraining Order (TRO)Temporary stay-away / no-contact order pending the hearing.
- DV-105 — Request for Child Custody and Visitation OrdersCustody orders where children are involved.
- CLETS-001 — Confidential CLETS InformationLets law enforcement enforce the order (not served on the other party).
Questions, answered
What kinds of records help corroborate an incident?
Anything that independently records what happened and when — a dated message or voicemail, a photo, a medical or treatment record, or a witness's firsthand account. Organizing them on a timeline makes the sequence clear. This is about gathering records, not about what any of it legally means.
How does a timeline help organize a restraining-order packet?
Putting events in date order, each tied to the record that documents it, lets a reader follow the sequence without hunting through screenshots. ExhibitPack builds that chronology automatically from the evidence you add.
What does "source-traceable" mean?
It means every fact in your packet carries a verbatim quote from your own evidence, plus a reference back to the document it came from. Anyone reviewing the packet can check each fact against its source. Nothing is invented or summarized away from what you provided.
What is an exhibit index?
An exhibit index is a labeled list of the documents you're including, each given a designation (A, B, C…) and a page reference. It's how a reader finds a specific piece of evidence quickly. ExhibitPack builds one in a California Rules of Court 3.1110-style format.
What does "attorney-ready" mean here?
It describes a clean, organized, source-traceable file — a dated chronology, an exhibit index, and facts tied to their sources — that's easy to hand to an attorney. It does not mean an attorney reviewed it or that it is legally sufficient; ExhibitPack is not a law firm and gives no legal advice.
Do I need an account to organize my evidence?
No. You can build and preview a packet for free without signing up. An account only matters if you want to save your work or come back to it later.
Does ExhibitPack give legal advice or tell me what to file?
No. ExhibitPack organizes the evidence you provide into a chronology, issue clusters, and an exhibit index. It does not advise you on your rights, which forms to file, deadlines, or strategy. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney or your court's self-help center.
Is my evidence kept private?
Images are read with on-device OCR, so your evidence isn't shipped off just to be scanned. You can delete your data at any time. See the Privacy page for details.
Ready to organize it?
Add whatever evidence you have and ExhibitPack builds the chronology, exhibit index, and missing-evidence checklist for you — free, no account needed to start.