Alameda Divorce Records
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Alameda divorce records are family court documents that legally confirm the dissolution of marriages. In Alameda County, California, divorce records are generally public (excluding sensitive information and details of minors), and people may access them for legal use, remarriage, personal use, genealogical research, or family history. As of 2023, ce nsus statistics show a 7.45% drop in divorce in California (75 divorces per 1,000 persons). This figure was one of the lowest among the U.S. states.
Are Divorce Records Public in Alameda?
Yes, divorce records are public in Alameda County. Interested individuals can access these documents upon request to the Family Law Clerk’s Office of the Alameda County Superior Court.
Per California Government Code and Court transparency rules, the public can access basic divorce information like:
- Case number
- Names of the involved parties
- Date of filing
- Case status
- Final judgment (divorce decree)
- Court location.
However, restrictions apply to sensitive divorce information, including those involving:
- Children
- Social Security Number
- Finances
- Abuse
- Medical or psychological evaluations.
How to Find Divorce Records in Alameda
Interested parties have several options for looking up divorce records in Alameda County. These documents may be accessible online or through the Family Law Clerk’s Office of the Alameda County Superior Court. The following options are available for individuals seeking access to Alameda County divorce records.
Online Access
- Visit the Superior Court of Alameda County Public Portal
- Create an account to log in and access the search tools
- Select Family as the case type, then search by party name or case number. The Alameda County Superior Court eCourt Portal provides free viewing access to basic divorce information. However, a full download of documents costs $1.00 per page for the first five pages. Thereafter, there is a 60¢ charge for each subsequent page, with a maximum fee of $40.00 per document.
Mail Request
Send mail requests for access to Alameda County’s divorce records to the Alameda County Superior Court Family Law Clerk’s Office at:
René C. Davidson Courthouse
1225 Fallon Street,
Oakland,
CA 94612.
Requests for divorce records should include:
- Names of the divorced parties
- Approximate date of the divorces
- Case numbers (if known)
- Self-addressed stamped envelopes
- Checks or money orders to cover applicable fees (50¢ per page of document and $15.00 for each certified copy)
Walk-in Requests
Visit the Family Law Clerk’s Office at the Alameda County Superior Court and request access to divorce records. Access to printed copies of Alameda County divorce records may cost $0.50 per page and $15.00 for each certified document.
| Method | Where to Go | Info Needed | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Alameda County Superior Court eCourt Portal | The subject’s full name, case number, and filing date range | Free for basic information | Instant |
| In Person |
Alameda County Superior Court Family Law Clerk’s Office at: René C. Davidson Courthouse 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, CA 94612 |
Any of the following identification documents:
| Ranges between 50¢ and $1.00 per page, and $15.00 to $25.00 for each certified copy of the document | Same day |
| By Mail |
Send mail requests to: Family Law Clerk’s Office Alameda County Superior Court Rene C. Davidson Courthouse 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, CA 94612 |
A mail request for an Alameda County divorce record should comprise a written letter that includes:
| $0.50 per page, and $15.00 for each certified document | 1week to 3 weeks. |
Overview of the Alameda Court System
Under California’s unified court system, Superior Courts handle all judicial matters, including divorce cases. In Alameda County, the Family Law Division of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, oversees divorce trials. The Family Law Clerk’s Office serves as the custodian of Alameda Superior Court records and coordinates Alameda family court divorce filings.
The Alameda County Superior Court Family Law Division operates from two locations:
Hayward Hall of Justice - Family Law Division
24405 Amador Street,
Hayward,
CA 94544
René C. Davidson Courthouse (Oakland) - Limited Family Law Services
1225 Fallon Street,
Oakland,
CA 94612.
Online Access to Divorce Records
The Alameda County Superior Court provides online access to court records, including divorce records. Interested individuals can find Alameda divorce records online through the Superior Court of Alameda County Public Portal. This portal allows users to access Court records by name, case numbers, and filing dates.
The Alameda County Superior Court’s eCourt Public Portal permits limited free online divorce lookup for basic information such as:
- Names of the involved parties
- Filing dates
- Case status
- Docket/register of actions
- Hearing dates.
Accessing divorce details through this option requires registration. Third-party platforms that maintain Alameda County court records databases may also offer online access to Alameda County divorce records. However, users of unofficial sources for information and documents should be aware that these platforms do not guarantee accuracy, completeness, or authenticity.
What’s Typically Included in a Divorce Record
Generally, divorce records are public in California, including those of Alameda County. However, the Family Law Clerk’s Office of the Alameda County Superior Court (the custodian agency) will deny public access to:
- Sealed divorce records
- Details relating to minors from unsealed documents
- Financial account
- Social Security Numbers.
Nonetheless, publicly accessible information relating to divorces in Alameda County includes:
- Case numbers
- Filing dates
- Names of the divorced
- Hearing dates
- Dates of divorce
- Divorce status.
| Information | Available to the Public? |
|---|---|
| Names of spouses | Yes |
| Divorce date | Yes |
| Case number | Yes |
| Custody arrangements | Sometimes restricted |
| Financial account details | No |
| Information about minors in divorce proceedings | No |
| Social Security Numbers | No |
How to Get Certified Copies of Divorce Records
Certified copies of Alameda County divorce records are accessible through the Family Law Clerk’s Office of the Alameda County Superior Court, and access may be limited to:
- The parties involved in the divorce
- The subject’s attorneys or legally authorized representatives
- Individuals who demonstrate legal rights or interests.
Unlike informational (uncertified or verification) copies, which are for reference only, a certified divorce decree in Alameda is official evidence of divorce and is acceptable for legal purposes like remarriage or court filings.
An eligible individual can get an official divorce record copy in Alameda County by submitting a completed Civil Records Request Form in person or by mail to the Superior Court’s Records Management Unit at the George E. McDonald Hall of Justice at:
2233 Shore Line Drive,
Alameda,
CA 94501.
Accessing certified copies of Alameda County divorce records requires a valid copy of any of the following government-issued identification documents:
- California driver’s license or ID card
- U.S. passport or passport card
- U.S. military ID
- Out-of-state driver’s license or ID card
- Consular identification card (matrícula consular).
Additionally, a certified copy of an Alameda divorce record costs $15.00, plus a $0.50 per page copying fee.
| Type of Copy | Use Case | Who Can Request | Legally Valid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy | Remarriage, legal proceedings | Spouse, attorney, court | Yes |
| Informational Copy | Genealogy, general info | Anyone (if public) | No |
Why People Request Divorce Records
Individuals have various reasons for requesting divorce records in Alameda. A person may request Alameda County divorce records:
- To change their name
- To remarry
- For legal or financial matters
- For genealogy or family research.
Some employers, background check companies, and security clearance agencies may also request divorce histories for sensitive job positions or immigration purposes.