Hayward Court Records Access
Court records for Hayward go through the Alameda County Superior Court. Hayward has about 163,000 residents and sits in the southern part of Alameda County. The Hayward Hall of Justice at 24405 Amador Street is a local courthouse serving the area. Criminal cases from Hayward are handled there. Civil and family law matters may route through other Alameda County court locations. You can search records online or visit a courthouse to view case files tied to Hayward.
Hayward Court Records Quick Facts
Where Hayward Court Cases Are Filed
The Hayward Hall of Justice at 24405 Amador Street handles criminal cases for the Hayward area. The phone number for criminal matters is (510) 690-2703. Civil cases file at the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland at 1225 Fallon Street. The East County Hall of Justice in Dublin at 5151 Gleason Drive also serves parts of southern Alameda County. Which courthouse handles your case depends on the case type and location.
In-person research at any Alameda County courthouse is free. You can look at files without paying. Copies cost money, but just reading through a case file does not. The court does not do research by phone or email. You need to use the online portal or go to the courthouse yourself. If you are not sure which location has your file, call the Hayward Hall of Justice first.
| Hayward Courthouse | Hayward Hall of Justice 24405 Amador Street Hayward, CA 94544 |
|---|---|
| Phone (Criminal) | (510) 690-2703 |
| Oakland Courthouse | Rene C. Davidson Courthouse 1225 Fallon Street Oakland, CA 94612 |
Search Hayward Records Online
The Alameda County Superior Court has online portals for court records. The Odyssey Public Portal covers civil, probate, and small claims cases. You can search by party name or case number to find case data. The Criminal Records Request Portal handles criminal case information requests.
California provides a court finder tool that helps Hayward residents locate the right courthouse for their case type.
Use this tool to confirm which Alameda County courthouse holds the case file you need.
Online document downloads cost $1.00 per page for the first five pages and $0.50 for each page after that. There is a $50 cap per document. Family law and criminal case documents are not available online under California Rules of Court. The portal shows case indexes, hearing dates, and registers of action for those restricted case types. Full documents require an in-person visit.
Hayward Court Records Fees
Alameda County fees follow the statewide schedule with local pricing for online downloads. Plain copies in person cost $0.50 per page. Online downloads are $1.00 per page for the first five pages, then $0.50 each. Certified copies cost $40.00 per document. Record searches by the clerk cost $15.00 if they take more than 10 minutes. Immigration letters cost $1.00 each.
In-person viewing at the Hayward Hall of Justice is free. You can sit at a terminal and review electronic case records or ask the clerk to pull a paper file. Fees only apply when you want copies or certifications. If you cannot afford the costs, fee waivers are available. Fill out form FW-001 and a judge will review your request.
Legal Help in Hayward
Bay Area Legal Aid serves Alameda County residents with low income. Call (800) 551-5554 for information. They handle housing, family law, and consumer matters. They can also help you understand court records and what options you have in your case.
Centro Legal de la Raza at (510) 437-1554 provides legal help in Oakland and serves the broader Alameda County area, including Hayward. The California Courts Self-Help Center has online guides and tools for all case types. The Alameda County courthouses have self-help centers with staff who can assist with forms and court procedures.
For checking your own criminal record, the California DOJ offers a record review service for $25 through Live Scan fingerprinting.
Types of Hayward Court Records
Alameda County Superior Court keeps all types of court records. Civil records cover lawsuits, contract disputes, and evictions. Criminal records include felony and misdemeanor charges filed at the Hayward Hall of Justice. Family law covers divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence restraining orders. Probate deals with wills, estates, and conservatorships. Small claims handle minor disputes. Traffic cases create records at the assigned courthouse.
Public access rules differ by case type. Civil records are the most open, both online and in person. Criminal case documents have remote viewing restrictions. Family law records can only be viewed at the courthouse. Juvenile records are fully confidential. Sealed records need a court order to access. The court does not help with research over the phone.
- Civil unlimited cases are kept for 10 years
- Felony records stay on file for 75 years
- Family law cases are retained for 30 years
- Adoption and parentage records are permanent
- Unlawful detainer cases are kept for one year
Alameda County Court Records
Hayward is in Alameda County. All court filings go through the Alameda County Superior Court. For complete information on courthouse locations, online portals, fees, and other resources, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are also served by the Alameda County Superior Court or nearby courts.