Alameda County Courts

Over 1.6 million people callAlameda County home, representing about 4.1% of California's total population of 39 million. The county's administrative center is located in Oakland. About 203,000 cases are filed in the county's court annually, including 23,500 civil matters, 146,000 criminal cases, 9,300 family matters, and 1,900 probate matters.

Alameda County's trial courts, led by the Superior Court, handle a broad range of legal matters, including criminal, civil, family law, probate, small claims, traffic, and juvenile cases. The Superior Court is divided into several divisions, each responsible for specific case types operating across multiple courthouse locations.

Alameda County court locations are spread across several towns and cities, including Fremont, Hayward, and Berkeley, to provide individuals with convenient access to the court system. Meanwhile, Oakland, the county seat, houses the county's major courthouses.

How To Access Alameda County Court Records

Alameda County court records are publicly accessible to members of the public under the California Public Records Act (CPRA). However, records including domestic violence, sexual assault cases, and child protection orders are exempt from public disclosure. In addition, other sensitive details in court records may be restricted, such as personal medical information and proprietary business documents.

Individuals seeking court records in Alameda County must provide case numbers and valid governmental-issued photo IDs. Below are ways record seekers may access or search the county court records:

Online

In Alameda County, individuals may access court records electronically through the Superior Court of Alameda County public portal by searching with case numbers, defendant's name, or filing date. This portal offers access to case types such as family law, civil, and probate matters. Criminal case information may be searched online through the Alameda County Superior Court Criminal Case Portal.

Additionally, publicly available county court records may be accessed through CourtCaseFinder, which offers a convenient way to look up case information across multiple courts nationwide. This tool is especially useful for those researching cases beyond local areas. Individuals seeking federal court records for cases heard in Alameda County may use the PACER Case Locator system. PACER provides electronic access to federal court files across the United States. While creating accounts is free, users are typically charged certain fees to download or view specific court documents.

In-Person

Individuals may access Alameda County court records in person by visiting the Clerk's Offices or Records Units at the courthouse where the case was filed. Record seekers must go to specific courthouses that handle the cases, as each court location has a court clerk responsible for managing their own records. For instance, if cases were heard in Family Law Divisions of the county's Superior Court, records related to those cases would be maintained by clerks of those divisions.

Alameda County courthouses also provide public access terminals and indexes for public use within the courthouse premises. These allow individuals to view court records at no cost while at courthouses. Those requesting copies of court records are typically required to pay some fees. Printed copies generally cost $0.50 per page and $40 per document for certified copies.

Old and Archived Court Records

For Alameda County court records that are unavailable online or at courthouses, often those over 50 years old, individuals may search the California State Archives. The State Archives may hold historical records such as pre-1900 dockets, probate and estate files, court minute books, and territorial documents. To request these records, individuals may contact:

Alternatively, individuals searching for old court records in Alameda County may still be able to obtain them through the Alameda County Superior Court. Some older records, especially those from the 1960s onward, may be requested in person at the Records Units in Oakland, Hayward, Fremont, Dublin, or Alameda.

How To File a Case in Alameda County

To file a case in Alameda County, first determine which court divisions handle the case types, such as civil, family, or probate matters. Once identified, individuals may file their cases online, in person at the courthouses, or by mail. Those who do not know where to file their cases should contact the Clerks' Offices to confirm the appropriate court divisions handling such matters.

In Alameda County, people may file cases online using the eFile California system for most civil, probate, and family law matters. Filings may also be completed in person at any courthouse or by mail, depending on the case type. For mail filings, some documents may require notarizations. All filing methods must follow local court rules and procedures.

Typically, filing cases in the Alameda County Superior Court costs certain fees, which vary depending on the case type. These fees cover administrative and court processing costs. However, individuals who cannot afford to pay may request fee waivers by submitting Form FW-001 (Requests to Waive Court Fees) to the relevant clerk's offices.

Courts may grant fee waivers for individuals who receive public assistance, have low incomes, or demonstrate financial hardship. Granted waivers may cover filing fees, court reporter fees for certain hearings, and some other fees, but they do not cover transcript costs.

To begin the filing process in Alameda County, individuals must prepare the appropriate initial documents for their case types. This typically involves the following steps:

• Determine the Case Type and Court Jurisdiction - Identify whether the case is civil, family, probate, or criminal to determine which division of the Alameda County Superior Court has jurisdiction.
• Prepare the Required Documents - Draft a complaint (for civil matters), a petition (for family or probate matters), or rely on the District Attorney to file charges in criminal cases. Filers should clearly outline the facts, identify the parties involved, and the desired outcome. Attach any relevant supporting documents, such as affidavits, contracts, photographs, or other exhibits.
• Use Court-Approved Forms and Pay Filing Fees - Complete official forms, available on the court's website or from the clerk's office. Filing fees vary depending on the type and value of the case.
• File and Serve - Submit the petition or complaint online, in person, or by mail (if permitted). Ensure the opposing party is properly served with all required documents, following legal service rules.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play a crucial role in delivering access to justice. Legal help and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants navigating civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

In Alameda County, individuals who are unable to hire attorneys may seek help through courthouses, local legal aid organizations, and pro bono services offered by the county's bar associations. They may also leverage free online tools and self-help resources to manage their legal matters. Below are key organizations that provide low-cost or free legal support and self-help services in Alameda County:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-income Persons
• Alameda County Law Library Program
• Self-Help Centers
• Legal Aid Services
• Private Lawyer Referral Services
• Wade Litigation

Alameda County residents may also find helpful legal support through statewide self-help resources:

• Free Legal Services for Low-Income Landlords
• Legal Access Alameda
• Free Small Claims Court Advice
• California Courts Self-Help Center - Small Claims
• Pro Bono Legal Help & Clinics
• Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA)
• Housing Authority of the City of Alameda

Individuals living in Alameda County also have access to a variety of helpful legal aid services and self-help resources, including:

• Bay Area Legal Aid - Assists low-income individuals and families with legal issues such as housing problems, domestic violence matters, public benefits, and debts. Their mission is to ensure that all individuals have access to justice, regardless of their income.
• Centro Legal De La Raza - Offers supportive, bilingual legal help with immigration matters, workers' rights, tenant protections, and more, especially for immigrants and underserved communities in Alameda County.
• East Bay Community Law Center - Partners with communities to provide legal services in areas like housing, healthcare access, and criminal justice issues. Their goals are to help people overcome legal challenges and build stronger, more stable lives.

Types of Courts in Alameda County, California

Alameda County has several types of courts that handle different legal matters. These include county courts and federal courts for certain cases.

Superior Court of Alameda County

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - The Superior Courts of Alameda County are the county's main trial courts and have broad jurisdiction over a wide range of legal matters under California laws. They are responsible for hearing criminal cases, civil cases, as well as matters involving families, juveniles, and probate issues. These courts are organized into several divisions, each dedicated to handling specific types of cases.
• Address and Contact Information

Below are lists of Superior Court of Alameda County division locations where residents may access various court services:

Berkeley Courthouse (Probate Division)

Dublin - East County Hall of Justice (Criminal and Traffic Divisions)

Fremont Hall of Justice (Criminal and Traffic Divisions)

Hayward Hall of Justice (Civil and Family Law Divisions)

Oakland - Administration Building (Civil Division)

Oakland - Rene C. Davidson Courthouse (Civil and Criminal Divisions)

Oakland - Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse (Criminal, Traffic, and Probate Divisions)

San Leandro - John George Psychiatric Pavilion (Mental Health Division)

San Leandro - Juvenile Justice Center (Juvenile Division)

Federal Courts in Alameda County

Residents of Alameda County, CA, are served by the following federal courts:

United States District Court -Northern District of California

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - These courts handle matters such as civil rights violations, immigration matters, federal crimes, intellectual property disputes, and lawsuits involving federal agencies. They also hear large multi-state lawsuits, class actions, and appeals from federal administrative decisions.
• Address and Contact Information -

United States Bankruptcy Court - Northern District of California

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - These courts specialize exclusively in bankruptcy cases. People visit these courts seeking debt relief, restructuring payment plans, or protections of assets during serious financial difficulties. These courts also resolve related legal issues, such as disputes between debtors and creditors.
• Address and Contact Information -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Alameda County Courts

The most common questions people have about the court system in Alameda County, California are listed below: