2002-12-20
PRESS RELEASE
December 20, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INCREASE IN FILING FEES (Effective January 1, 2003)
The Superior Court of California, County of Alameda announces statutory increases in certain civil filings fees resulting from the recent enactment of the Trial Court Facilities Act (SB 1732) signed into law by Governor Gray Davis.
This landmark legislation implements the key element of the recommendation of the statewide Task Force on Court Facilities: that ownership and maintenance of court facilities be assumed by the state in order to help provide safe, secure, and adequate court facilities and to help insure equal access to all residents.
The Trial Court Facilities Act establishes a State Courthouse Construction Fund that is funded in part by new statewide filing fee surcharges on first appearance fees associated with certain court proceedings.
As a result, Government Code § 70373 has been added to authorize a ten dollar ($10.00) surcharge to the first appearance fee in the following actions:
- Unlimited Civil
- Probate
- Family Law
In addition, Government Code § 70373.5(a) has been added to authorize an eighteen dollar ($18.00) surcharge to the first appearance fee in limited civil actions.
Further, on November 5, 2002, the Board of Supervisors for the County of Alameda adopted a resolution authorizing a two dollar ($2.00) increase to the Law Library Fee (Board of Supervisors Resolution 2003-199). This fee is permitted pursuant to Business & Professions Code § 6322.1.
The increase in filing fees takes effect on January 1, 2003.
Below is a list of upcoming changes to the court's fee schedule:
| Unlimited Civil Filing Fees | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ref# | Type of Filing | Current Fee | Revised Fee |
| 1. | Complaint, petition, or other first paper including transfer from another court | $219.50 | $231.50 |
| 3. | Petition for Injunction Prohibiting Harassment (no allegations of violence) | $219.50 | $231.50 |
| 4. | Appeal on Labor Commissioner Award | $219.50 | $231.50 |
| 6. | Complaint where the National Government is plaintiff or petitioner | $26.00 | $28.00 |
| 12. | Petition to Establish Record of Birth, Death, or Marriage | $32.00 | $34.00 |
| 15a. | First paper on behalf of EACH defendant, intervenor, respondent, or adverse party whether appearing separately or jointly | $216.20 | $228.20 |
| 16. | First paper of the National Government | $26.00 | $28.00 |
| Probate Filing Fees | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ref# | Type of Filing | Current Fee | Revised Fee |
| 16. | First paper of the National Government | $26.00 | $28.00 |
| 19. | First petition for letters of administration or testamentary, guardianship or conservatorship, first account of testamentary trustee, compromise of a minor's claim, to contest a will or codicil | $219.50 | $231.50 |
| 20. | Second or subsequent petition -same as #19 above -in the same proceeding by a person other than the original petitioner (No fee for original petitioner) | $219.50 | $231.50 |
| 21. | First paper on behalf of adverse party or party other than original petitioner | $216.20 | $228.20 |
| 25. | First paper of the National Government | $26.00 | $28.00 |
| Family Law Filing Fees | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ref# | Type of Filing | Current Fee | Revised Fee |
| 32. | Petition for Dissolution, Nullity, Legal Separation, or Paternity | $219.50 | $231.50 |
| 33. | Joint verified petition for Summary Dissolution | $219.50 | $231.50 |
| 34. | First paper on behalf of respondent | $216.20 | $228.20 |
| Limited Civil Filing Fees | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ref# | Type of Filing | Current Fee | Revised Fee |
| 42a. | Complaint, petition, or other first paper including transfer from another court where the demand is more than $10,000 stated on face on complaint | $105.00 | $125.00 |
| 42b. | Unlawful Detainer where the demand is more than $10,000 stated on face on complaint | $109.00 | $129.00 |
| 43a. | Complaint, petition, or other first paper including transfer from another court where the demand is $10,000 or less stated on face on complaint | $97.30 | $117.30 |
| 44b. | Unlawful Detainer where the demand is $10,000 or less stated on face on complaint | $97.30 | $117.30 |
| 45. | First paper on behalf of EACH defendant, intervenor, respondent, or adverse party whether appearing separately or jointly | $94.00 | $114.00 |
| 46. | Notice of Appeal | $87.00 | $89.00 |
| Small Claims Filing Fees | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ref# | Type of Filing | Current Fee | Revised Fee |
| 63. | Notice of Appeal | $87.00 | $89.00 |
| Miscellaneous and Other Filing Fees - Criminal | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ref# | Type of Filing | Current Fee | Revised Fee |
| 89a. | First paper fee in a criminal action on a motion to set aside Bail Forfeiture / Motion To Set Aside Summary Judgment if the amount of the bail bond is more than $25,000: | $219.50 | $231.50 |
| 89b. | First paper fee in a criminal action on a motion to set aside Bail Forfeiture / Motion To Set Aside Summary Judgment if the amount of the bail bond is more than $10,000 up to $25,000: | $105.00 | $125.00 |
| 89c. | First paper fee in a criminal action on a motion to set aside Bail Forfeiture / Motion To Set Aside Summary Judgment if the amount of the bail bond is $10,000 or less: | $97.30 | $117.30 |
For further information, please contact the Clerk's Office at your nearest courthouse (a list of courthouse locations and filing venue is attached for your reference and use).
COURT LOCATIONS and FILING VENUE
| COURT LOCATIONS FOR FILING DOCUMENTS | FILING VENUE |
|---|---|
| Superior Court, René C. Davidson Alameda County Courthouse 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, CA 94612 Telephone (Family Law) (510) 208-4900 Telephone (Civil) (510) 272-6002 Telephone (Probate) (510) 208-9651 |
Civil, Family Law, Probate, Domestic Violence and Harassment |
|
Superior Court, George E. McDonald Hall of Justice Alameda, CA 94501 |
Small Claims, Limited Civil, Domestic Violence and Harassment |
|
Superior Court, Berkeley Courthouse Berkeley, CA 94704 |
Small Claims, Limited Civil, Domestic Violence and Harassment |
|
Superior Court, Fremont Hall of Justice Fremont, CA 94538 |
Small Claims, Limited Civil, Domestic Violence, Harassment, Family Law, and Probate |
|
Superior Court, Gale/Schenone Hall of Justice Pleasanton, CA 94588 |
Small Claims, Limited Civil, Domestic Violence, Harassment, Family Law, and Probate |
|
Superior Court, Allen E. Broussard Justice Center Oakland, CA 94607 |
Small Claims, Limited Civil, Domestic Violence, Harassment, Family Law, and Probate |
|
Superior Court, Hayward Hall of Justice |
Civil, Family Law, Probate, Small Claims, Limited Civil, Domestic Violence and Harassment |