Berkeley Divorce Records Lookup

Finding divorce records in Berkeley requires working with Alameda County Superior Court. Berkeley does not maintain divorce records at the city level. All family law cases for Berkeley residents are filed at Alameda County courthouses. The main family law location is the Hayward Hall of Justice, though some cases may be filed at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Oakland. The court keeps records for all divorce cases filed in the county. You can search for cases online using the public portal or request copies of documents by mail or in person. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost fifteen dollars plus fifty cents per page. The court also charges a ten-dollar fee if they need to retrieve files from off-site storage. Most record requests can be completed within a few weeks, though timing varies based on how old the case is and where the file is stored.

Where Berkeley Divorces Are Filed

Berkeley is part of Alameda County. When someone files for divorce in Berkeley, the case goes to Alameda County Superior Court. The Family Law department operates at the Hayward Hall of Justice, located at 24405 Amador Street in Hayward. You can reach the Family Law department at (510) 690-2702. This office handles most family law matters for the county, including divorces filed by Berkeley residents.

Some cases may also be filed at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Oakland. That building is at 661 Washington Street. If you are not sure which courthouse has your case, call the main records line at (510) 891-6005. The clerk can look up the case and tell you where the file is located. The records department is open from eight thirty in the morning until three in the afternoon on weekdays.

Alameda County keeps extensive divorce records. The files include petitions, responses, financial disclosures, settlement agreements, and final judgments. If the divorce involved children, the file may also have custody orders and parenting plans. Most of these documents are public, but some may be sealed or restricted by court order. The clerk will tell you what is available when you request copies.

Off-site storage is used for older files. If your case is more than ten or fifteen years old, the file might be at a storage facility. The court charges ten dollars to retrieve files from off-site storage. This fee is in addition to the cost of copies and certifications. Allow extra time for off-site retrievals. It can take a few days for the file to be brought to the courthouse.

Searching Online for Berkeley Cases

Alameda County has online portals for case searches. There are two main systems. The eCourt Portal is one option. The Odyssey Public Portal is another. Both let you search for cases by party name or case number. The results show basic information about the case, including the filing date, case type, and parties involved. You can also see a register of actions that lists all the documents filed in the case.

To use the portal, start by entering a last name in the search box. If the name is common, you may get many results. Add a first name or narrow the date range to cut down the list. Once you find the right case, click on it to see more details. The register of actions shows each filing with a date and a description. For example, it might say "Petition for Dissolution filed on 03/15/2022." This tells you what was filed and when, but it does not let you view the actual document in most cases.

Family law documents are usually not available for online viewing. You can see that they were filed, but you cannot read them on the portal. To get copies, you need to request them from the clerk. Write down the case number from the online search. Then call, mail, or visit the courthouse to ask for copies. Having the case number makes the process faster and avoids the search fee.

Costs and Processing Times

A certified divorce decree costs fifteen dollars. This is the standard fee in all California counties. The fee includes the certification and a copy of the decree. If you need extra pages, the court charges fifty cents per page. For other documents like orders or agreements, certification costs forty dollars plus fifty cents per page for copies. Regular uncertified copies are fifty cents per page without the certification fee.

If the court needs to retrieve your file from off-site storage, add ten dollars to your total. This off-site retrieval fee covers the cost of bringing the file to the courthouse. Not all cases require this. Only older files that have been moved to storage incur this charge. The clerk can tell you if your case is off-site when you call.

Processing time depends on the method you use. Mail requests typically take two to four weeks. The clerks work through requests in the order they arrive. If your file is off-site, add a few extra days for retrieval. In-person requests may be completed the same day if the file is on-site and the staff is not busy. Call ahead to check if same-day service is available for your case. The records line is (510) 891-6005. They can tell you if the file is on-site and what the current wait time is for walk-in requests.

How to Request Records

You can request divorce records by mail or in person. For a mail request, write a letter with these details:

• Your name and address
• Phone number or email
• Case number or both party names and year
• Description of documents you need
• Payment by check or money order
• Self-addressed stamped envelope

Make checks payable to Alameda County Superior Court. Mail your request to the Records Department at 2233 Shoreline Drive, Alameda, CA 94501. Include return postage so the court can send your documents back. If you do not include an envelope, your order may be delayed.

For in-person requests, visit the courthouse during business hours. The Records Department is open from eight thirty until three. Bring a photo ID. Tell the clerk which case you need and what documents you want. If you are a party to the case, let them know. You may have easier access to your own file. Pay at the counter. If the documents are ready, you will get them right away. If the file needs to be retrieved, the clerk will tell you when to come back or will mail the documents to you.

Note: Some family law records may be sealed or confidential. The clerk will tell you if any restrictions apply.

Finding Legal Assistance

Alameda County offers free self-help services for people handling their own divorce. The Family Law Facilitator office can help you fill out forms and understand court procedures. They cannot give legal advice about your specific case, but they can explain how the process works. The facilitator office is at the Hayward Hall of Justice. You can also call the main line for more information.

Legal aid organizations serve Berkeley and the rest of Alameda County. Bay Area Legal Aid provides free legal help to low-income residents. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and support. You must qualify based on income. Apply on their website or call their intake line. The Alameda County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that connects you with private attorneys who offer consultations at a reduced rate.

The state courts website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has many resources for people doing their own divorce. You can find form instructions, step-by-step guides, and videos that explain the divorce process. All California courts use the same basic forms, so the state website applies to Berkeley and every other city. If you need to file or respond to a divorce, start with these free resources to understand the paperwork and procedures.

Other Cities in Alameda County

Berkeley is one of many cities in Alameda County. If you are looking for divorce records in another city in this county, check our pages for Oakland and Fremont. All three cities use the same Superior Court system. For more details about the court and how to access records throughout the county, visit our Alameda County page.