Berkeley Family Court Records
Berkeley family court records are filed and kept at Alameda County Superior Court. All divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence cases for Berkeley residents go through the Alameda County court system. The main family law courthouse for Berkeley is in Hayward. Berkeley has about 124,000 people and sits in the northwest corner of Alameda County right next to Oakland. Family law cases are not fully available online. California Rules of Court restrict remote access to protect privacy in family matters. You can check basic case information at the courthouse, but full documents require an in-person visit. Court staff can help you find the right location and get copies of your case file when you need them.
Berkeley Quick Facts
Where Berkeley Residents File Family Cases
Berkeley residents file family law cases at the Alameda County Family Justice Center in Hayward. The courthouse is at 24405 Amador Street in Hayward. All new family law filings for Berkeley go to this location. The center handles divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence cases for the entire county.
The Family Justice Center opened to serve all family law needs in one place. The self-help center is on the first floor and assists people who need help with forms or procedures. Staff can answer questions about the filing process. They cannot give legal advice, but they can show you which forms to use and where to file them. Call the self-help line at (510) 272-1393 for questions about your case.
| Court | Alameda County Superior Court - Family Justice Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 24405 Amador Street Hayward, CA 94544 |
| Phone | (510) 690-2700 |
| Self-Help | (510) 272-1393 |
| Website | alameda.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family-law |
The Hayward courthouse is south of Berkeley. You can get there by car or by BART. Take BART to the South Hayward station and walk about 15 minutes to the courthouse. Free parking is available at the courthouse lot. Enter from Amador Street. Security checks all bags at the door. Bring photo ID when you visit. The self-help center can direct you to the right department once you are inside.
Searching for Berkeley Family Court Records
Family court records for Berkeley cases are stored at the Alameda County courthouse in Hayward. You can search for case information by going to the courthouse in person. Online access to full family law documents is not available. California law protects the privacy of family court cases by limiting remote access.
The clerk office at the Family Justice Center can search for your case by name or case number. If you do not have the case number, bring both parties' names and the year the case was filed. The clerk pulls the file and tells you what documents are in it. You can order copies of public documents from the file. Some records may be sealed or confidential and cannot be released without a court order.
Copy fees are 50 cents per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $25 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. If you need many pages, ask for an estimate before placing your order. Payments are accepted at the clerk window by cash, check, or card.
Alameda County has an online portal at eportal.alameda.courts.ca.gov, but it does not show full family law documents. The portal may show hearing dates and basic case status for Berkeley cases, but you must visit the courthouse to see the actual filings and orders.
How to File for Divorce in Berkeley
To file for divorce in Berkeley, you must meet California residency requirements. One spouse must have lived in California for six months. That spouse must also have lived in Alameda County for three months. If you meet these rules, you can file at Alameda County Superior Court.
California is a no-fault state. You do not need to prove wrongdoing to get a divorce. You simply state that you have irreconcilable differences. This means the marriage cannot be saved. The court does not ask why. Most divorces in Berkeley use this ground.
Start by filling out a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. This is form FL-100. You also file a Summons on form FL-110. If you have minor children, you add form FL-105. File these forms at the Family Justice Center in Hayward. The filing fee is $435. After filing, you must serve your spouse with copies. You cannot serve them yourself. Hire a process server or use the sheriff. Proof of service must be filed with the court.
California requires a six-month waiting period. The court cannot finalize your divorce until six months pass from the date your spouse was served. During that time, you can file motions for temporary orders on custody, support, or use of property. If both spouses agree on all terms, you can file a stipulated judgment after the waiting period. If you disagree, the case goes to a hearing or trial.
Once the judge signs the final judgment, your divorce is complete. The judgment becomes part of the public record. You can get certified copies from the clerk at any time. The judgment includes all orders on property, custody, and support. These orders remain in effect unless you file a motion to modify them later.
Note: Uncontested divorces in Berkeley often take six to nine months from start to finish.
Alameda County Family Court Fees
Family court fees for Berkeley cases are set by Alameda County. The first filing fee for divorce or legal separation is $435. Motions to modify custody or support cost $60. Default judgment motions also cost $60. Check with the clerk for current fee schedules, as amounts can change.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can request a fee waiver. Fill out form FW-001 and file it with the court. The judge reviews your income and expenses. If you qualify, the court waives the filing fee and copy fees. You still must pay for service of process and other costs outside the court's control. Fee waiver forms are available at courts.ca.gov.
Legal Help for Berkeley Residents
Legal aid is available for Berkeley residents who need help with family court cases. Bay Area Legal Aid serves Alameda County and provides free legal help to people who qualify based on income. They handle divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence cases. Call 1-800-551-5554 to see if you qualify. Their website is baylegal.org.
Legal Access Alameda is another resource. They offer free and low-cost legal services for family law matters. Call (510) 302-2222 for more information. The Alameda County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (510) 893-7160. The California State Bar also has a statewide referral line at 1-800-392-5660.
The Family Violence Law Center in Oakland helps people dealing with domestic violence. They provide legal advocates and attorneys who can help with restraining orders and custody matters. Call (510) 208-0220 for assistance. Their website is fvlc.org. The court self-help center at the Hayward courthouse can also answer questions about forms and procedures. They cannot give legal advice, but they can help you find the right forms and tell you where to file them.
Filing Without a Lawyer in Berkeley
You can file your own family court case without a lawyer. This is called filing pro se. Many Berkeley residents do this when both parties agree on all terms. It works best in simple cases with no disputes over property or children.
California Courts has a self-help website at courts.ca.gov/selfhelp. It has step-by-step guides for divorce, custody, and support cases. All state forms are free to download. The site also has videos that explain how to fill out each form. Alameda County may have local forms you need as well. Check the court website for local rules and forms.
The self-help center at the Family Justice Center in Hayward can assist you. Staff cannot fill out forms for you, but they can show you which forms to use and review your completed forms for errors. The center is open during court hours. No appointment is needed. Arrive early if you need help before filing your papers that day.
Alameda County Family Court Records
Berkeley is part of Alameda County. All family law cases for Berkeley residents are filed at Alameda County Superior Court. The county court system serves 14 cities and over 1.6 million people. For more on Alameda County family court locations, fee schedules, and legal resources, visit the Alameda County family court records page.