Berkeley Court Records Lookup
Court records for Berkeley go through the Alameda County Superior Court. Berkeley has around 124,000 residents and sits in the northern part of Alameda County. The county court system handles all civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims cases. The Rene C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland is the main courthouse for the county. Alameda County offers several online portals for searching court records, making it easier to find case information from Berkeley without visiting in person.
Berkeley Court Records Quick Facts
Where Berkeley Court Records Are Filed
Berkeley is in Alameda County. The Alameda County Superior Court handles all court cases for the city. The Rene C. Davidson Courthouse at 1225 Fallon Street in Oakland is the main civil courthouse. Criminal cases from Berkeley go to this location as well. The phone number for criminal records is (510) 891-6009.
The Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse at 661 Washington Street in Oakland also handles some case types. Berkeley cases may end up at either courthouse depending on the type of matter. The county has other locations too, including the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin and the Hayward Hall of Justice at 24405 Amador Street. Cases from Berkeley typically file at the Oakland courthouses since they are closest.
You can visit any Alameda County courthouse to look at court records in person. There is no charge for in-person research. The court does not do lookups by phone or email.
| Main Courthouse | Rene C. Davidson Courthouse 1225 Fallon Street Oakland, CA 94612 |
|---|---|
| Criminal Records | (510) 891-6009 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
Search Berkeley Court Records Online
Alameda County has multiple online portals for searching court records. The Odyssey Public Portal lets you search by name or case number for civil, probate, family, and small claims cases. This is free to search. You can see case status, hearing dates, and filing information for Berkeley cases.
For criminal record requests, the court has a separate Criminal Record Requests Portal. This tool handles name searches for criminal cases filed in Alameda County. There is also a general eCourt Portal that the court maintains for broader access to case data.
The statewide self-help center shown above has guides and resources that apply to finding court records for Berkeley and all other California cities.
Document downloads from the Odyssey Portal cost $1.00 per page for the first 5 pages and $0.50 for each page after that. The cap is $50 per document. Under California Rule 2.503, family law and criminal case documents can only be viewed at courthouse terminals. Online access for those types is limited to indexes and calendars.
Note: The court does not provide research services over the phone or by email for Berkeley court records.
Fees for Berkeley Court Records
Alameda County has its own fee structure for online document downloads. The first 5 pages cost $1.00 each. Pages after that are $0.50 each. The maximum charge per document is $50.00. For in-person copies at the courthouse, the standard statewide rate of $0.50 per page applies. Certified copies are $40.00 per document.
Searching records in person at the courthouse is free. The fees only come up when you want copies. Immigration letters from the court cost $1.00 each. If the clerk searches for a record and it takes more than 10 minutes, the fee is $15.00. Certified divorce copies cost $15.00.
Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford the costs. File a fee waiver request and a judge will look at your income. Approved waivers cover copying fees and other court costs for Berkeley cases.
Legal Help for Berkeley Residents
The Alameda County Superior Court runs a self-help center that is free for everyone. Staff help with forms, court procedures, and finding records. No lawyer is needed. The center operates at the Oakland courthouse.
Bay Area Legal Aid serves Alameda County with free legal help for low-income residents. Call (800) 551-5554 to check eligibility. They cover housing, family law, and public benefits cases. Centro Legal de la Raza in Oakland also provides legal services and can be reached at (510) 437-1554. The California Courts Self-Help Center has statewide guides for all case types.
UC Berkeley School of Law runs several clinics that provide free legal help in limited areas. The East Bay Community Law Center handles housing, immigration, and clean slate matters. These resources can be useful for Berkeley residents who need help understanding or accessing their court records.
Types of Court Records in Berkeley
Alameda County keeps records for every case type. Civil records cover lawsuits, contract disputes, and property matters. Criminal records include felonies and misdemeanors. Family law has divorce, custody, and support orders. Probate covers wills, estates, and conservatorships. Small claims and traffic cases each have separate files.
Most court records from Berkeley are public. Some are confidential by state law. Juvenile cases, mental health matters, and certain family law documents are restricted. Sealed records require a court order to view. The court keeps records based on state retention rules. Civil cases stay for 10 years. Family law for 30 years. Felony for 75 years. Adoption and name change records are permanent.
Alameda County Court Records
Berkeley is in Alameda County. All court filings for the city go through the Alameda County Superior Court. The county has multiple courthouse locations across the East Bay. For full details on the county court system, online portals, fee schedules, and resources, visit the Alameda County court records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are in Alameda County or neighboring counties. Court records for each go through their respective county court system.