Search Alameda County Residents

Alameda County is located on the east side of the San Francisco Bay and is home to more than 1.6 million people. The county seat is Oakland. Public records in Alameda County date back to 1853, making it one of the oldest record collections in California. The Alameda County residents directory pulls from court case files, recorded documents, property data, voter registration rolls, and other public sources. Many records are available online. Some older files need an in-person visit. This page explains the main sources for finding people in Alameda County and how to access each one.

Alameda County Official Records

The Alameda County Clerk-Recorder maintains official public records at 1106 Madison Street in Oakland, CA 94607. You can reach the office by phone at 510-272-6362 or toll-free at 1-888-280-7708. These records include deeds, liens, maps, and other documents filed with the county going back to 1853. The Official Records Search tool lets you look up documents online by name, recording number, or date range.

There is an important limit on the online search. Documents filed before 1969 cannot be searched online. Those older records must be searched in person at the Clerk-Recorder's Office in Oakland. Staff can help you look through the older indexes and pull copies of the documents you need. For Alameda County residents who are researching historic property records or older filings, a trip to the office is the only option.

Copy fees in Alameda County are set at $3.50 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $4.50 for the first page and $3.50 for each additional page. The office processes copy requests in 5 to 10 business days. You can order copies in person or by mail. Payment by check or money order is accepted for mail requests.

The statewide voter file from the Secretary of State, shown above, includes all registered voters in Alameda County. This is one of several state-level tools useful for finding Alameda County residents.

Search Alameda Court Records

The Alameda County Superior Court provides an eCourt Public Portal for searching case information online. This portal covers civil, probate, small claims, and other case types. You can search by party name or case number to find records tied to Alameda County residents. The tool is free to use and does not need an account.

Not all case types are available online. Criminal cases, family law files, and juvenile records are restricted to in-person viewing at the courthouse under California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503. If you need records from those case types, plan to visit the Alameda County courthouse during regular business hours. The clerk can provide copies for a per-page fee.

The California Courts public records page covers the statewide process for requesting court records from any county, including Alameda. Judicial Council copies cost 10 cents per page. Local court clerk copy fees may differ and are set by state law.

Note: Unlawful detainer cases in Alameda County are not available for the first 60 days after the complaint is filed, in line with California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1161.2.

Alameda County Property Search

Property records are one of the most useful parts of the Alameda County residents directory. Every property transfer, lien, and deed gets recorded with the Clerk-Recorder. The online search tool covers filings from 1969 to the present. You can look up properties by owner name, address, or document number. This helps you find Alameda County residents who own real estate, since the records connect people to specific addresses.

The Alameda County Assessor also maintains assessed value data for all parcels in the county. You can look up current property values and ownership details through the Assessor's online tools. Recording fees follow the statewide schedule of $15 for the first page and $4 for each additional page when new documents are filed. Searching and viewing existing records through these online tools is free of charge.

For older property records filed before 1969, you must visit the Clerk-Recorder's Office in Oakland. The staff maintains paper indexes for these older Alameda County documents and can help you locate what you need.

Alameda Voter Records Lookup

The Alameda County Registrar of Voters keeps voter registration data for all registered voters in the county. You can check your own status through the voter registration portal. For broader data requests, contact the Registrar's office directly. Voter records include names, addresses, party preference, and voting history for Alameda County residents.

Access to voter data is restricted by California Elections Code. You must state an approved purpose when you request the data. Allowed uses include election work, journalism, scholarly research, and political outreach. Commercial use is banned. The Secretary of State also provides statewide voter files that include Alameda County data for $100.

Public Records in Alameda County

The California Public Records Act (CPRA) governs access to records held by all Alameda County agencies. Every person has the right to inspect public records. Agencies must respond within 10 calendar days. They can extend that deadline by up to 14 additional days with written notice. You can submit requests by mail, email, or in person at most Alameda County offices.

Fees vary by office and record type. The Clerk-Recorder charges $3.50 per page for plain copies and $4.50 for the first page of a certified copy. Court copies follow state fee schedules. Electronic records from many Alameda County agencies are free. Some offices use online request portals that let you track the status of your request and download records when they are ready.

Most records about Alameda County residents are open to the public. Exceptions include sealed court files, juvenile records, confidential voter data, and certain personnel files. Home addresses of crime victims and some public officials can be redacted from records before release.

The statewide CIRIS inmate search from the California Department of Corrections covers Alameda County residents in state prison. This tool is free and available around the clock. It shows the inmate's name, CDCR number, current location, and parole hearing dates.

The State Controller's unclaimed property database shown above is another way to find Alameda County residents. You can search by name to see if someone has unclaimed money or assets held by the state. The search and claim process is free.

Note: Alameda County records dating before 1969 are only available through in-person searches at the Clerk-Recorder's Office in Oakland.

Alameda County Cities Directory

Alameda County includes several large cities with their own city clerk offices. The cities listed below each handle local public records requests through their own staff. County-level documents like property deeds and court cases still go through Alameda County agencies.

Nearby California Counties

These counties are close to Alameda County and each has its own set of residents directory resources for finding people in California.