Alameda County Small Claims Court (California): How to File in Superior Court

Alameda County small claims: the $12,500 limit, where to file, hearings at the Hayward Hall of Justice, fees, mediation and case lookup. Checked 2026-10-27.

Navy cover with a drawn generic courthouse and the words Alameda County Small Claims, File in Hayward or Oakland. Hearings are in Hayward
Where and how to file small claims in Alameda County, California.

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Quick answer: In Alameda County, small claims are heard by the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda. Individuals can sue for up to $12,500 (businesses $6,250). You can file at the Hayward Hall of Justice or in Oakland (1225 Fallon Street), or e-file, but all hearings are in person at Hayward. Filing costs $30 to $75 depending on the amount. Lawyers can't represent you at the trial.

Drawn generic courthouse beside a pinned info board for Alameda County small claims: filing at Hayward or Oakland, all hearings in person at the Hayward Hall of Justice, and e-filing marked Yes, also in person.
Alameda County, California small claims at a glance, checked 2026-10-27.

This independent guide covers small claims cases in Alameda County, California, including Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, San Leandro, Livermore and Pleasanton. Small Claims Coach is not the court; we link to the court's official pages throughout.

Checked on 2026-10-27 against the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda website and the California Statewide Civil Fee Schedule. Sources are listed below. Jump to court addresses and phones ↓ For the statewide rules, see our California small claims guide.

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Which court hears small claims in Alameda County?

  • Court: the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda.
  • Limit: $12,500 for a natural person; $6,250 if you're filing for a business.
  • Bigger claims: you can file as many small claims as you want for $2,500 or less, but no more than two claims over $2,500 anywhere in California each calendar year (CCP 116.231(a)).
  • COVID-19 rent: as of 10/1/2025, a landlord can no longer sue in small claims for unpaid COVID-19 rental debt above $12,500.
  • Lawyers: both parties may ask a lawyer about the case, but a lawyer may not represent either party at the small claims trial.
  • Mediation: the Day of Court Mediation Program offers free mediation for small claims; you can ask for it the day of your trial. It depends on volunteer mediators being available.

Which courthouse do I file in?

  • Filing: the court says small claims papers may be filed at the Hayward Hall of Justice or at 1225 Fallon Street in Oakland, or e-filed online.
  • Hearings: small claims cases are heard in person at the Hayward Hall of Justice, in a morning or afternoon session.
  • That's true wherever you live in the county, including Oakland, Fremont, Berkeley, San Leandro, Livermore and Pleasanton. You don't need to look up a precinct.
  • You still have to file in the proper county. The statewide venue rules are on the claim form (SC-100) and in our California guide.

Addresses, phone numbers and hours

Addresses and phones are from the court's Small Claims page. Hours weren't on the pages we checked; call before you go.

Hayward Hall of Justice

Address: 24405 Amador Street, Hayward, CA 94544

Phone: 510-690-2700

Small claims here:

  • Filing and all small claims hearings

Oakland (1225 Fallon Street)

Address: 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, CA 94612

Phone: 510-891-6000

Small claims here:

  • Filing only

How much does small claims cost in Alameda County?

From the California Statewide Civil Fee Schedule (effective January 1, 2026):

  • Claim of $1,500 or less: $30
  • More than $1,500, up to $5,000: $50
  • More than $5,000, up to $12,500 (individuals only, with certain exceptions): $75
  • If you filed more than 12 small claims in California in the past 12 months: $100
  • Clerk mails the claim to each defendant: $15 per defendant
  • Request to postpone the hearing (once the defendant has been served): $10
  • Notice of appeal: $75
  • Motion to vacate: $20

Fees can change; confirm with the clerk (Hayward 510-690-2700) before you file. The court's own Filing Fees page is linked from its Small Claims page.

Can I e-file in Alameda County?

Yes. The court lists "e-File Online" as one of the ways to file small claims papers. See the court's Small Claims page.

Alameda County small claims forms

The claim form is California's statewide Plaintiff's Claim (SC-100). If you can't afford the fees, submit a completed Fee Waiver form (FW-001) when you file your claim. The court's Get Help page says the Self-Help Center has procedural information and materials, in person and by phone.

How to file in Alameda County, step by step

Illustrated winding road with six numbered stations for Alameda County, California small claims: check your claim fits the limit, fill out form SC-100, file in person or e-file, have the defendant served, plan on a hearing in Hayward, and bring evidence and ask about day-of-court mediation.
The steps to file a small claims case in Alameda County, California.
  1. Make sure your claim is $12,500 or less ($6,250 for a business).
  2. Fill out the Plaintiff's Claim (SC-100). The Self-Help Center can give procedural information.
  3. File at Hayward or Oakland, or e-file, and pay $30 to $75 (or submit form FW-001 to ask for a fee waiver).
  4. Have the defendant served. The clerk can mail the claim for $15 per defendant.
  5. Plan to go to the Hayward Hall of Justice for your hearing, even if you filed in Oakland.
  6. Bring your evidence to the hearing, and ask about Day of Court Mediation. Statewide rules are in our California guide.

Ready to fill in your own form?

The steps above are free. The Playbook helps you do each one: a filled-in sample of the California Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court (SC-100) with every box explained, plus your California Playbook section with a made-up sample filing, a hearing outline, California printables, a California day-of plan, and a step-by-step checklist for collecting your judgment.

You also get prep guides that work in any state: a document checklist, exhibit labels, a prep timeline and a hearing-day outline. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.

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How to look up an Alameda County small claims case

  • The court's eCourt Public Portal provides online access to Civil, Family Law, Probate, Mental Health and Adoption case records.
  • To use any function on the site, you must register for a user account. Documents can be printed for a fee, and a half-page preview is available.
  • The portal lists Civil but doesn't name small claims, and we couldn't confirm small claims cases are searchable there. If you can't find your case, call the clerk at 510-690-2700.

What does it cost to collect a judgment?

Winning doesn't mean you get paid automatically. Alameda County's collection fees weren't on the pages we checked. Ask the clerk or the Self-Help Center, and see our California guide for the statewide steps.

Fee waivers and venue changes

  • Fee waiver: submit a completed Fee Waiver form (FW-001) when you file your claim.
  • Missed the hearing? A motion to vacate costs $20.
  • Postponement: a request to postpone costs $10.

Coach's Tips for Alameda County

  • Hearings are in Hayward. Even if you file in Oakland, plan to go to the Hayward Hall of Justice for your hearing.
  • Ask for mediation on the day. Day of Court Mediation is free, and you can request it the day of your trial if volunteer mediators are available.
  • Only 2 bigger claims a year. California lets you file only 2 small claims a year, anywhere in the state, asking for more than $2,500. If you have several disputes, decide which ones need the bigger claims.

Alameda County small claims checklist

  • My claim is $12,500 or less ($6,250 for a business).
  • I filled out the Plaintiff's Claim (SC-100).
  • I know whether I'll file in Hayward, in Oakland or online.
  • I know the filing fee for my claim amount, or I have form FW-001 ready.
  • I have a plan to serve the defendant.
  • I know my hearing is at the Hayward Hall of Justice.
  • My evidence is organized and copied for court.

Alameda County small claims FAQ

What is the small claims limit in Alameda County?

$12,500 for a natural person and $6,250 if you're filing for a business. No more than two claims over $2,500 anywhere in California each calendar year.

How much does it cost to file small claims in Alameda County?

$30 for claims of $1,500 or less, $50 up to $5,000, and $75 up to $12,500, under the statewide fee schedule. It's $100 if you filed more than 12 small claims in California in the past 12 months.

Which Alameda County courthouse do I file in?

You can file at the Hayward Hall of Justice or at 1225 Fallon Street in Oakland, or e-file. All small claims hearings are in person at the Hayward Hall of Justice.

Where is small claims court in Oakland?

You can file at 1225 Fallon Street in Oakland, but hearings are at the Hayward Hall of Justice, 24405 Amador Street, Hayward.

How do I look up a small claims case in Alameda County?

The court's eCourt Public Portal gives online access to civil case records after you register for an account. We couldn't confirm that small claims cases are searchable there; if not, call the clerk.

Where do I get Alameda County small claims forms?

The claim form is California's Plaintiff's Claim (SC-100). The court's Self-Help Center has procedural information and materials.

Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Alameda County?

No. Both parties may ask a lawyer about the case, but a lawyer may not represent either party at the small claims trial.

Is Alameda County small claims court part of the Superior Court?

Yes. It's the Small Claims Division of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda.

What is the Plaintiff's Claim (SC-100)?

It's the claim form you file to start a small claims case: California's statewide Plaintiff's Claim (SC-100).

Sources

Checked 2026-10-27.

Nearby counties

More for California: California small claims guide · Ready to sue · Just got sued · How to serve small claims papers · What to say on hearing day

Free: the Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists).

You do the work. The Playbook hands you the plays.

This page covers where and how to file in Alameda County. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of the California Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court (SC-100), your California Playbook section, and step-by-step prep guides. One membership covers every state. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.

See the Playbook →

Small Claims Coach is built to help you handle your case yourself, without a lawyer. But if your situation is complicated, doesn't fit our samples, or a deadline is close, you may want to call a lawyer.

Small Claims Coach uses public information to build the Playbook, which coaches you as you organize and present your own case. We are not your lawyer, there is no attorney-client relationship, and we don't want the details of your case.

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice.