Rule 5.386.Procedures for filing a tribal court protective order

Division 1. Family Rules · Chapter 11. Domestic Violence Cases · Article 2. Tribal Court Protective Orders · Adopted 2012 · no amendments on record · Last verified September 10, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5.386 requires a court, at a local tribal court’s request, to adopt a written procedure for fax or electronic filing of tribal court protective orders — with no fee.

Full Text of Rule 5.386

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d)

(a) Request for written procedures for filing a tribal court protective order

At the request of any tribal court located within the county, a court must adopt a written procedure or local rule to permit the fax or electronic filing of any tribal court protective order that is entitled to be registered under Family Code section 6404.

(b) Process for registration of order

The written procedure or local rule developed in consultation with the local tribal court or courts must provide a process for:

(1) The tribal court or courts to contact a representative of the superior court to inform him or her that a request for registration of a tribal court protective order will be made;

(2) Confirmation of receipt of the request for registration of the order; and

(3) Return of copies of the registered order to the tribal court or the protected person.

In accordance with Family Code section 6404(b), no fee may be charged for the fax or electronic filing registration of a tribal court protective order.

(d) Facsimile coversheet

The Fax Transmission Cover Sheet for Registration of Tribal Court Protective Order (form DV-610) or similar cover sheet established by written procedure or local rule must be used when fax filing a tribal court protective order. The cover sheet must be the first page transmitted, to be followed by any special handling instructions needed to ensure that the document will comply with local rules. Neither the cover sheet nor the special handling instructions are to be filed in the case. The court is not required to keep a copy of the cover sheet.

End

Plain-English Summary

A tribal court protective order is entitled to registration in California, and registration is useless if it is slow. At the request of any tribal court within the county, the superior court must adopt a written procedure or local rule permitting fax or electronic filing of any tribal court protective order entitled to registration.

The procedure is developed in consultation with the tribal court and must cover three steps: the tribal court contacting a superior court representative to say a registration request is coming, confirmation that the request was received, and return of copies of the registered order to the tribal court or the protected person.

No fee may be charged for the fax or electronic filing registration. Where a fax is used, a cover sheet must come first, followed by any special handling instructions — and neither the cover sheet nor those instructions are filed in the case, nor need the court keep a copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a tribal court protective order be registered by fax in California?

Yes. At the request of a tribal court within the county, the superior court must adopt a written procedure or local rule permitting fax or electronic filing of tribal court protective orders entitled to registration under Family Code section 6404.

Is there a fee to register one?

No. No fee may be charged for the fax or electronic filing registration of a tribal court protective order.

Amendment History

Rule 5.386 adopted effective July 1, 2012.

Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California. Last verified September 10, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: tribal court protective order registration CaliforniaDV-610 fax cover sheetFamily Code 6404 tribal order