Alameda County Probate Records

When you need to find probate court records in Alameda County, you will file all cases at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Berkeley. The probate division handles estate matters for the entire county from this location. These records include wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships. Most people start by searching online through the county case portal. You can also visit the clerk office in person at 2120 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The office is open weekdays from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Staff can help you look up case numbers or get copies of filed documents.

Alameda Superior Court Probate Division

The Alameda County probate division processes all estate administration matters. The court sits in Berkeley at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse. This location replaced the older Alameda County Courthouse on Fallon Street in Oakland. All new probate cases must be filed in Berkeley regardless of where in the county the decedent lived or owned property.

Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. The clerk window opens at 8:30 AM and closes at 2:30 PM Monday through Friday. Lines can get long in the morning. Arrive early if you need to file time-sensitive documents. The courthouse has limited paid parking. Street parking is metered and often full. Consider taking BART to the Downtown Berkeley station.

Call the probate division at 510-647-4439 for general questions. Staff cannot give legal advice over the phone. They can tell you if a case exists, provide basic filing instructions, and give you the status of pending cases. Complex questions require an in-person visit or consultation with an attorney.

The Alameda probate court website at alameda.courts.ca.gov provides forms, local rules, and hearing schedules. Check the site before visiting the courthouse. Many questions can be answered online without making a trip to Berkeley.

Search Cases Through the Online Portal

Alameda County uses Tyler Technologies Odyssey software for case management. The public portal is at eportal.alameda.courts.ca.gov. Search by name or case number to find probate records. The system shows filed documents, upcoming hearings, and the register of actions.

Not all documents appear online. Some records are sealed or restricted by court order. Others may not have been scanned into the electronic system yet. If you cannot find what you need online, visit the clerk office to access the full file. Older cases filed before the electronic system went live may have limited online information.

Certified copies cannot be ordered through the portal. You must request certified documents from the clerk in person or by mail. The fee is forty dollars plus fifty cents per page. Processing takes about five business days. Overnight service costs extra.

How to File Probate Cases

Start by filing a Petition for Probate. Use form DE-111 from the California Judicial Council. The filing fee is four hundred thirty-five dollars. Attach a certified death certificate and the original will. If no will exists, file as an intestate estate. The clerk reviews your papers and assigns a case number. You get a hearing date about six to eight weeks out.

After filing, you must publish legal notice in a local newspaper. Alameda County requires publication in a newspaper of general circulation. The notice must run once a week for three weeks. Popular options include the East Bay Times or Berkeley Daily Planet. Save your proof of publication to file with the court before the hearing.

Mail notice to all heirs and beneficiaries named in the will or identified by California intestacy law. You must also mail notice to creditors if you know about them. Keep copies of everything you mail. File proof of mailing with the court at least fifteen days before your hearing date.

At the first hearing, the judge reviews your petition and supporting documents. If everything is correct, the judge signs an Order for Probate and issues Letters of Administration. These letters give you legal authority to act on behalf of the estate. You can then open estate bank accounts, sell property, and pay debts. Within four months of receiving letters, file an Inventory and Appraisal listing all estate assets.

Note: The small estate limit in California is now $208,850 as of April 1, 2025. Estates below this amount may qualify for simplified procedures using an Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property instead of full probate.

Legal Aid and Support Services

Alameda County has several organizations that help with probate matters. Legal Assistance for Seniors provides free legal help to county residents age sixty and older. Call them at 510-832-3040. They handle wills, powers of attorney, and simple probate cases. Income limits do not apply for seniors.

Bay Area Legal Aid serves low-income residents under age sixty. Their office is in Oakland. Call 510-250-5270 for intake. They can help with conservatorships, guardianships, and contested estate matters. You must meet federal poverty guidelines to qualify for services.

• Alameda County Bar Association Lawyer Referral: 510-893-7160
• State Bar of California: 866-442-2529
• California Courts Self-Help Center: selfhelp.courts.ca.gov
• Judicial Council Forms: courts.ca.gov

The Alameda court also provides a probate facilitator program. This free service helps self-represented parties complete forms and understand procedures. The facilitator cannot represent you in court or give legal advice about your specific situation. Call 510-647-4439 to schedule an appointment.

Cities in Alameda County

Alameda County contains several large cities. All probate cases for these cities are filed in Berkeley at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse. Cities with populations over 100,000 include Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, and Alameda.

Nearby Counties

If your probate case is in a nearby county, check these pages: Contra Costa County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, and San Joaquin County.