Who must eFile: All attorneys in all case types. Self-represented parties are encouraged but not required to eFile.

Authority: Local Rule 3.27(a)

In addition to California Rules of Court requirements for eFiling (rules 2.250-2.261), Alameda County requires:

PDF Format:

• Documents must be in searchable PDF format (unless only a paper copy exists)
• Each document type must be a separate PDF file (e.g., cover sheet, summons, complaint each as separate files)
• Only one lead document per eFiling action (lead documents = complaint, motion, application, petition)

Authority: Local Rule 3.27(b); Technical Requirements; eCourt Filing Tips

Motion Reservations

ALAMEDA COUNTY REQUIREMENT: Motions must first be scheduled using the Court Reservation System (CRS) in the court's eCourt Public Portal. The CRS reservation receipt must be included when eFiling a motion. If submitted without a reservation receipt, the eFiling will be rejected.

Exception: Reservation numbers are not required for motions in limine.

CRS Access: https://eportal.alameda.courts.ca.gov

Authority: e-Filing FAQs; Local Rule 3.30(b)

Processing Time

The court strives to review and process all eFiled documents within three business days. Processing office hours are 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday, excluding holidays.

Authority: e-Filing FAQs

Alameda County-Specific Exceptions

Exceptions to eFiling - Civil:

• Bench Warrants
• Subpoenaed documents
• Bonds
• Undertakings
• Certified judgments
• Out of State or Out of County Abstracts or Commissions
• Sister State Judgments
• Subpoenas for Out of State Actions
• Payee Data Records

Exceptions to eFiling - Family:

• Bench Warrants
• Subpoenaed documents
• Bonds
• Undertakings
• Certified judgments
• Out of State or Out of County Abstracts or Commissions
• Sister State Judgments
• Subpoenas for Out of State Actions
• Payee Data Records
• Any filing that requires parties to include a self-addressed stamped envelope
• Any other document required by law to contain an original signature or to be filed in original form. 

Exceptions to eFiling - Probate:

• Originals of the following:
  • Wills and codicils;
  • Surety bonds and undertakings;
  • Letters of administration;
  • Letters testamentary;
  • Letters of guardianship;
  • Letters of conservatorship;
  • Affidavit Re Real Property of Small Value (form DE-305);
  • Affidavits or declarations under Probate Code section 13101;
  • Bank statements for probate accountings except as provided in Probate Code section 2620(c)(1);
  • and Final escrow closing statements.
• Subpoenaed documents.
• Any other document required by law to contain an original signature or to be filed in original form.

Clerk's Office Hours for Paper Filings: 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM, Monday-Friday (excluding holidays)
Drop box service: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Physical Filing Locations:

• Oakland: René C. Davidson Courthouse, Room 109, 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, CA 94612
• Hayward: Hayward Hall of Justice, 24405 Amador Street, Hayward, CA 94544

Authority: Local Rule 3.27(d); e-Filing FAQs

An identical courtesy copy of any paper filed in support of, in opposition to, or in connection with any motion or application must be delivered to the courtroom clerk assigned to the department where the motion/application will be heard.

Timing:

• Regular motions: Deliver by noon the court day after the paper is filed
• In limine motions OR matters with hearing 2 court days or fewer from filing: Deliver the same day as filing
• Ex parte motions: Deliver consistent with each department's ex parte schedule (available on court website)

Exception: This rule does not apply to administrative records in writ proceedings.

Authority: Local Rule 3.30(c); Technical Requirements

Alameda County Civil Case Cover Sheet Addendum - MANDATORY (Unlimited Cases Only)

ALAMEDA COUNTY REQUIREMENT: In addition to the statewide Judicial Council Form CM-010 (Civil Case Cover Sheet), Alameda County requires Form 202-19 (Civil Case Cover Sheet Addendum) for all unlimited civil actions or proceedings.

Required for: Unlimited civil cases only
Not required for: Limited civil cases, small claims, probate, family law, or Welfare & Institutions Code cases

Failure to file: May result in sanctions unless completed addendum is filed within 15 calendar days of filing the first paper.

Form Link: Form 202-19

Authority: Court notices; Forms page

Note: The statewide requirement for Judicial Council Form CM-010 applies to all initial civil filings per California Rules of Court, rule 2.30.

Alameda County Requirements

In addition to statewide requirements for filing sealed and confidential documents under California Rules of Court (rules 2.550-2.551), Alameda County requires:

Caption Requirements:

• Un-redacted documents: Caption page must have "UN-REDACTED" in bold type under the title
• Redacted documents: Caption page must have "REDACTED" in bold type under the title
• Discovery documents (not requiring court order to seal): State "DISCOVERY" in bold and underlined on title page, plus "TO BE FILED UNDER SEAL" or "REDACTED" as appropriate

Physical Courtesy Copies - CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: Complete un-redacted and redacted copies of any confidential or redacted document must be physically lodged with the department where any hearing will be held.

Packaging requirements:

• Place in separate envelopes
• Label envelopes: "UNDER SEAL," "LODGED CONDITIONALLY UNDER SEAL," or "REDACTED"
• Tape the caption page of the enclosed document on the outside of the envelope

Authority: Local Rule 3.27(e)

How Should I Submit a Proposed Order When eFiling?

Proposed orders must be submitted as a separate PDF document in the same eFiling transaction as your motion or supporting documents.

Requirements:

• Create the proposed order as its own PDF file (do not combine with motion or other documents)
• Include the proposed order in the same eFiling transaction as the motion
• The proposed order is not a lead document - the motion is the lead document
• All documents in the transaction (motion, supporting documents, proposed order) must be separate PDFs

Example of Correct Filing:

• Lead document: Motion (separate PDF)
• Supporting document: Declaration (separate PDF)
• Supporting document: Proposed Order (separate PDF)

All three documents can be submitted together in one eFiling transaction, but each must be its own PDF file.

Authority: e-Filing FAQs; Universal eFiling FAQs

Note: This applies to both civil and family law cases in Alameda County.