Alameda Probate Records

Alameda County Superior Court handles probate matters for all Alameda residents. Cities do not run probate courts in California. The state places this function at the county level. When someone who lived in Alameda dies, their estate goes through the county court system. The probate division is at 2120 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way in Berkeley. This same court serves Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, and all other Alameda County cities. You can file cases there in person or search existing records through their online portal.

Alameda County Court Location

All probate cases for Alameda go to Alameda County Superior Court. The court sits in Berkeley, not in Alameda itself. Drive to 2120 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. Park in the public lot on Addison Street. The building is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Get there early because the clerk window closes at 2:30 sharp.

The probate clerk phone number is 510-647-4439. Staff can answer basic questions. They cannot give legal advice. If you call, hold times can be long. Try calling right when they open at 8:30.

Alameda County uses Tyler Odyssey software for case management. Search online at eportal.alameda.courts.ca.gov. Type in a name or case number. The system shows court dates and filed documents. Some old cases may not appear in the portal.

You can file papers in person at the clerk window or mail them to the courthouse. Do not mail time-sensitive filings. Use in-person filing if you have a deadline. Bring two copies of everything. The clerk stamps one and gives it back.

Opening an Estate Case

Start by getting certified death certificates. You need at least two or three. Order from the Alameda County Clerk-Recorder or from the state vital records office. County service is faster for recent deaths.

Fill out form DE-111, the Petition for Probate. Attach the death certificate and the will if there is one. The filing fee is $435. Checks and money orders work. So do credit cards. Go to the Berkeley courthouse and file at the probate window.

The court sets a hearing about two months out. You must publish a notice in a local newspaper. You must also mail notice to all heirs and beneficiaries. File proof of publication and mailing before your hearing. If you miss this step, the judge will continue the hearing.

At the hearing, the judge reviews your paperwork. If everything looks good, you get Letters of Administration. These give you authority to act for the estate. You can then collect assets, pay debts, and distribute property. Most estates take nine to twelve months to close.

Avoiding Full Probate

California lets you skip formal probate if the estate is small. The threshold is $208,850 as of April 2025. This includes bank accounts, stocks, personal property, and vehicles. Real estate does not count unless it was the decedent's only asset.

Use form DE-310 to claim personal property worth less than $208,850. Wait 40 days after the death. Then fill out the form and take it to banks, brokerages, and other institutions. They must release the funds to you. No court filing required.

For real estate under $80,925, use form DE-305. File this with the county court. There is a $50 filing fee. The process takes about four weeks. You get a court order that lets you transfer the property without full probate.

Getting Help in Alameda

The Alameda County Self-Help Center has staff who can help with forms. They work at the Berkeley courthouse. Walk-in service is available. Bring all your documents with you.

Legal Assistance for Seniors provides free help to people age 60 and up. Call them at 510-832-3040. They handle wills, trusts, and probate matters. Income limits apply for some services.

The Alameda County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call 510-893-7160. For $39 you get a 30-minute consultation with an attorney. After that you can hire the lawyer or look elsewhere.

Alameda has a public library system with law books and forms. The main branch is on Santa Clara Avenue. Librarians can point you to probate resources. You can make copies there for a small fee.

Note: Bring valid photo ID when filing documents. The court requires identification for all in-person filings.

How to Find Probate Cases

Use the online portal to search by last name. Try different spellings. Someone named Smith might be listed as Smyth or Smythe. Women may appear under maiden or married names.

If you know the case number, search by that instead. Case numbers are more reliable than names. Write down the full case number including all letters and dashes. The format matters for searches.

Cases from before the 1990s may not be online. Call the court at 510-647-4439 to ask about old records. Staff can check archived files, but this takes time. Go in person if you need quick answers.

Not every death creates a probate case. Small estates use simplified procedures. Joint bank accounts transfer automatically. Life insurance goes directly to beneficiaries. Living trusts bypass probate entirely. Just because someone died does not mean a probate case exists.

Other Alameda County Cities

These cities also use Alameda County Superior Court: Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, and Livermore. All probate cases go to the Berkeley courthouse no matter where in the county someone lived.

Nearby counties include Contra Costa County to the north and Santa Clara County to the south. Each county has its own court system and procedures.