Alameda County Court Records
Alameda County court records cover cases filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda. The court serves over 1.6 million people across cities like Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, and Berkeley. It operates out of several courthouse locations in the East Bay. You can search civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims records through online portals or by visiting one of the courthouses in person. This page covers the tools, fees, and steps you need to look up court records in Alameda County.
Alameda County Court Records Quick Facts
Alameda County Court Records Online
The Alameda Superior Court offers two main online portals for searching court records. The eCourt Public Portal lets you look up case info across most case types. The Odyssey Portal is another way to search. Both are free to use for basic case lookups. You can find party names, case numbers, hearing dates, and the register of actions through these tools.
The court has a screenshot of its public portal page below. This gives you a sense of what the search system looks like before you visit the site.
The state court finder tool can also help you find the right Alameda County courthouse for your case type.
Criminal records have a separate process. The Criminal Record Requests Portal handles requests for criminal case information in Alameda County. Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, remote access to full criminal case documents is limited. You can see the register of actions and case status online, but full documents in criminal and family law cases may only be viewable at a courthouse terminal.
The court does not do research over the phone or by email. If you need help with a search, you have to visit in person or use the online portals. The system covers non-confidential, non-sealed cases. Sealed and confidential records do not show up in public searches of Alameda County court records.
In-Person Access to Alameda Court Records
You can view court records for free at any Alameda County courthouse. The main location is the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland. Walk in, give the clerk a name or case number, and they will pull the file for you to look at. No fee to view. Fees come in when you want copies. Bring a photo ID.
Alameda County has several court locations spread across the East Bay. The Hayward Hall of Justice handles some criminal and traffic matters. The East County Hall of Justice in Dublin covers cases from the eastern part of the county. Each location keeps its own set of files, so it helps to know where the case was filed before you go.
| Main Courthouse | Rene C. Davidson Courthouse 1225 Fallon Street Oakland, CA 94612 |
|---|---|
| Criminal Division (Oakland) | (510) 891-6009 |
| Hayward Hall of Justice | (510) 690-2703 (Criminal) |
| East County Hall of Justice | Dublin | (925) 227-6700 |
Hours vary by location but generally run Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Call ahead to confirm the hours at the specific courthouse you plan to visit for Alameda County court records.
Court Record Fees in Alameda County
Alameda County has its own fee structure for document downloads and copies. Online document downloads cost $1.00 per page for the first five pages. After that, the price drops to $0.50 per page. There is a cap of $50 per document, which helps if you need a large file. Immigration letters cost $1.00 each.
The statewide fee schedule also applies. Certified copies cost $40.00 per document. If the clerk has to search for a record and it takes more than 10 minutes, the search fee is $15.00. Exemplification of a record runs $50.00. A certified copy of a dissolution judgment costs $15.00. These fees are set by California Government Code sections 70626 and 70627 and apply at all Alameda County court locations.
Fee waivers exist for people who qualify based on income. You fill out a form, and a judge decides if you get a full or partial waiver. The court's self-help center can assist with the fee waiver process for Alameda County court records.
Types of Alameda County Court Records
The Superior Court handles all trial-level cases in Alameda County. Civil cases include lawsuits, contract disputes, and personal injury claims. Criminal cases range from felonies to misdemeanors and infractions. Family law files cover divorce, child custody, child support, and domestic violence restraining orders. Probate records deal with wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. Small claims cases handle disputes up to a certain dollar limit.
Access rules differ by case type. Civil records are the most open. Full documents in civil cases can often be viewed online through the Odyssey Portal. Criminal and family law records are more restricted for remote access under Rule 2.503. You can see basic case info online for these types, but full documents may need a courthouse visit. Juvenile records are confidential and not available to the public at all.
- Civil unlimited and limited cases
- Criminal felonies and misdemeanors
- Family law and domestic violence
- Probate, guardianship, conservatorship
- Small claims and traffic violations
Note: Alameda County retains civil case records for 10 years, felony records for 75 years, and family law records for 30 years under Government Code 68152.
Legal Resources in Alameda County
The Alameda County court system has a self-help center where staff can guide you through forms, filing, and finding records. This is free to use. You do not need a lawyer. The self-help center is at the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland.
Bay Area Legal Aid provides free legal services to low-income residents across the East Bay. Call (800) 551-5554 to ask about eligibility. Centro Legal de la Raza is another option, reachable at (510) 437-1554. They serve Oakland and the surrounding area with help on civil, immigration, and housing matters. The California Courts Self-Help Center offers statewide guides and resources that apply to Alameda County court records.
Cities in Alameda County
Alameda County has 14 cities. All court cases file at the Alameda Superior Court. The courthouse that handles your case depends on your location and the case type. These major cities have their own court records pages:
Other cities in Alameda County include Pleasanton, Livermore, Union City, Newark, Dublin, Alameda, San Leandro, and Albany. All of these file court cases through the Alameda Superior Court system.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Alameda County. Each has its own court system and records. If you are not sure which county handles your case, check the address where the events took place.