Alameda County Dissolution Records
The Superior Court of California in Alameda County maintains all dissolution of marriage records for residents who file in this county. You can access case information through online portals or request certified copies at the court clerk's office. Alameda County keeps comprehensive files that include petitions, responses, financial disclosures, settlement agreements, and final judgments. The court serves major cities like Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, and other communities throughout the county. Most dissolution records are public documents that anyone can view or copy. Online case searches let you look up basic case details by name or case number before you visit the courthouse or request official copies.
Alameda County Quick Facts
Alameda County Superior Court Contact
The main courthouse for family law cases sits at 2233 Shoreline Drive in Alameda. The clerk's office handles requests for dissolution records and certified copies. Phone service operates Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Call (510) 891-6005 for general questions or (510) 690-2702 for specific family law inquiries. Office hours run from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM each weekday. The court provides in-person assistance at the clerk's window during these hours.
Alameda County runs an online portal where you can search for case information. The eCourt Public Portal at www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/general-information/records offers access to case summaries and basic details. You can search by party name or case number to find your dissolution case. This portal shows filing dates, case status, and upcoming hearing information. It does not provide full document images in most cases, so you will still need to request certified copies from the clerk if you need official records.
Staff at the records window can help you locate older cases or files that are not in the online system. Bring identification and the case number or names of both parties. If you do not know the case number, the clerk can search by name for a fee. The search fee is $15 if the search takes more than 10 minutes.
Costs for Dissolution Records
Certified copies of a dissolution judgment cost $15 in Alameda County. This fee includes the certification and the first few pages of the document. Each additional page costs $0.50. If you need copies of other documents from your case file, the same per-page rate applies. The court accepts cash, checks, and money orders at the clerk's window. Some locations may also accept credit or debit cards, but verify payment options before your visit.
Mail requests take longer to process. Include a check or money order payable to the Superior Court of California. Write the case number on your check. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request. Processing time for mail requests can range from two to four weeks. In-person requests are usually processed the same day or within a few days. Plan ahead if you need your records by a specific date.
Search fees apply when staff must spend time locating your case. If the clerk spends more than 10 minutes searching, the fee is $15. Bring as much information as possible to speed up the search. Case numbers, full names, and filing dates help the clerk find your record quickly. Online searches through the public portal are free and do not require payment.
Search Cases Online
Alameda County offers free online case searches through its eCourt portal. You do not need an account to use the basic search functions. Go to the court's website and look for the case search link. Enter a party name or case number to see basic information about the case. The portal displays filing dates, hearing dates, and case status. You can check if a case is still open or has been closed.
The online system does not provide full copies of filed documents in most situations. You can see a list of documents filed in the case, but viewing the actual text requires a visit to the courthouse or a written request for copies. Some counties in California offer document imaging through their portals, but Alameda County primarily uses its online system for case summaries and scheduling information.
Online access is available 24 hours a day. You can search from home or any location with internet access. This tool helps you verify case details before you request certified copies. It also lets you check hearing dates and court orders without calling the clerk's office. Use this resource to save time when researching dissolution cases in Alameda County.
Note: Online records are for informational purposes and are not certified for legal use.
Major Cities in Alameda County
Alameda County includes many large cities. Residents of these cities file dissolution cases at the Alameda County Superior Court. The court serves all communities throughout the county, regardless of where you live. Major cities in Alameda County include Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, Livermore, Pleasanton, Union City, and Dublin. Each city has residents who use the county court system for family law matters.
Some cities have local courthouses where you can file or access records. The main family law courthouse is located in Alameda, but the court system operates multiple locations throughout the county. Check the court's website to find the nearest location to your home or workplace. All locations are part of the same Superior Court system, so records filed at one location can be accessed at another.
Nearby Counties
If your dissolution case was filed in a neighboring county, you need to contact that county's Superior Court. Alameda County shares borders with several other counties. Contra Costa County sits to the north. Santa Clara County is located to the south. San Joaquin County lies to the east. San Mateo County borders Alameda to the southwest. Each county maintains its own records system, so you must contact the court where the case was originally filed.