Request for Order Hearings in Oakland and Alameda County, California

In Alameda County, the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda hears a Request for Order (Form FL-300). General family law RFOs are handled by the Family Law Division at the Hayward Hall of Justice. If you live in Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, San Leandro, or another part of the county, your Request for Order hearing will usually be at the Hayward courthouse. The Rene C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland handles domestic violence restraining orders separately.

Alameda County has a meet-and-confer rule for most RFO hearings. Local Rule 5.30 requires both sides to meet and confer, in person or by phone, no later than five days before the hearing. You must discuss the pending issues and exchange any documents that have not already been filed. If the hearing is continued for more than 60 days, each party must file a Summary of Contested and Resolved Issues on local form ALA FL-030.

If your Request for Order includes a contested custody or visitation issue, Alameda County requires child custody recommending counseling under Local Rule 5.75 before the judge hears that issue. This is recommending mediation. If the parties do not resolve the dispute in counseling, the process can lead to a recommendation. It does not stay fully confidential.

Alameda County allows remote hearings in every family law courtroom. To appear remotely, file a Notice of Remote Appearance (Form RA-010). The court uses ZoomGov for remote hearings. Setup instructions are posted in English and Spanish.

Where hearings are held in Alameda County

Family court hearings in Alameda County are held at the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, with the county seat in Oakland. Because courtroom assignments, remote appearance options, and local procedures change over time, use the official California Courts court finder to confirm current details:

Find the Alameda County Superior Court (official California Courts finder)

How a family court hearing works in California

In California, a party who wants the court to decide something while a case is pending, such as temporary custody, support, or attorney's fees, files a Request for Order (Form FL-300). The core steps are:

1. File the Request for Order (Form FL-300) with a supporting declaration and, if support or fees are at issue, an Income and Expense Declaration (Form FL-150).
2. Serve the other party by the deadline the court sets, generally at least 16 court days before the hearing (California Rules of Court, rule 5.92).
3. The responding party can file a responsive declaration, generally at least 9 court days before the hearing.
4. Attend Family Court Services mediation first if custody or visitation is contested.
5. Attend the hearing; some courts issue tentative rulings in advance, and some allow remote appearance by video or phone.

Local notes for Alameda County

General family law filings in Alameda County go to the Hayward Hall of Justice. Domestic violence restraining orders go to the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland. Do not assume both case types are handled in the same building. Confirm the correct courthouse for your Request for Order before you file or plan to attend a hearing.

Alameda's five day meet-and-confer deadline under Local Rule 5.30 is required. It is not a suggestion. Leave time to contact the other party and exchange documents before your hearing date. Do not wait until the last minute.

If your case involves custody or visitation, include a child custody recommending counseling appointment in your timeline. If no agreement is reached, the counseling can lead to a recommendation to the judge. It does not stay fully confidential. Prepare for the appointment as carefully as you would prepare for the hearing.

Official hearing resources in Alameda County

Hayward Hall of Justice, Family Law Division handles hearings filings, located at 24405 Amador Street, Hayward 94544. Phone: 510-690-2700. Rene C. Davidson Courthouse at 1225 Fallon Street handles Domestic violence restraining orders only, not general family law RFOs.

The filing fee is $60. E-filing is available through https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/general-information/local-rules-forms. unverified: confirm the specific approved e-filing service provider for Alameda family law with the clerk.

Alameda County Self-Help Center and Family Law Facilitator (https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family-law) can help with procedure and paperwork. Free help with family law forms and procedure for people representing themselves; staff cannot give legal advice. Local Rule 5.30 (Motions and hearings: duty to meet and confer) applies; see https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/05-title-5-20260701.pdf. Local Rule 5.75 (Child custody recommending counseling) applies; see https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/05-title-5-20260701.pdf.

• Alameda Superior Court Family Law Division
• Alameda Superior Court Local Rules, Title 5 (Family and Juvenile Rules)
• Alameda Superior Court General Information: Local Rules

Local details reviewed August 2026. Offices and locations can change, so confirm with the official sites above before you file.

Alameda County RFO Hearing FAQs