Search New Jersey Family Court Records
New Jersey family court records are maintained by the Family Division of the Superior Court in each of the state's 21 counties. These records cover a broad range of case types. They include divorce filings, child custody orders, child support cases, domestic violence matters, and juvenile proceedings. The Family Division handles all family-related legal matters in New Jersey's unified court system. You can search for family court records online through the New Jersey Courts website or visit the courthouse in your county. This guide explains how to find and request family court records from courts across New Jersey.
New Jersey Family Court Records Quick Facts
Where to Find New Jersey Family Court Records
The Family Division of the Superior Court handles all family court cases in New Jersey. Each county has its own office. These offices process new filings. They store active case records too. The state runs a unified court system under the Supreme Court. All 21 counties follow the same rules for family court cases in New Jersey.
The official website of the New Jersey Judiciary is the main portal for court information statewide. It provides access to forms, electronic filing tools, and court directories for all counties. The site lists phone numbers, addresses, and hours for every Family Division office. You can also find a Forms Catalog with documents for divorce, custody, child support, and other family court matters in New Jersey. The Judiciary Electronic Document Submission system lets you file papers online around the clock without a trip to the courthouse.
For closed cases, records move to the Superior Court Clerk's Office in Trenton. The Records Imaging Center at 171 Jersey Street stores millions of case files from all 21 counties. Open cases stay at the county courthouse where they were filed. Contact the county Family Division for records on active cases in New Jersey.
How to Search Family Court Records in New Jersey
New Jersey offers several ways to look up family court records. Online access is the fastest option. You can search from home at any time. In-person visits work well when you need certified copies or want to see the full case file. Both options are available to anyone searching for family court records in New Jersey.
The Find a Case tool on the NJ Courts website lets you search civil, criminal, family, and municipal court cases by party name or docket number. The system is free for basic case details. It shows party names, filing dates, and case status. For copies of actual documents, you need to contact the county clerk or visit the courthouse for your family court records in New Jersey.
To search for family court records in New Jersey, you need:
- Full name of at least one party
- County where the case was filed
- Approximate year of the filing
- Docket number if you have it
The Electronic Access Program gives remote online access to specific court records for $4 per minute. This service is used mainly by attorneys and legal professionals. The Family Automated Case Tracking System tracks divorce cases through this program. Free public access portals are also available for basic searches at no charge in New Jersey.
Types of Family Court Cases
The Family Division in New Jersey handles many types of cases. Each case type creates its own set of records. Divorce cases use the FM docket prefix. Non-dissolution cases like custody and support use the FD prefix. Domestic violence cases use FV. Juvenile matters use FJ. Each type has its own rules for access and retention of family court records in New Jersey.
Divorce and dissolution cases make up a large portion of family court records. These files contain the complaint, answer, settlement agreements, and the final judgment. Child custody and parenting time cases involve court orders that set out where children live and when each parent has time with them. Child support cases establish payment amounts based on state guidelines. Paternity cases determine legal parentage. The NJ Courts Self-Help Center has forms and guides for all of these case types.
Domestic violence cases involve restraining orders under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. Juvenile delinquency cases deal with minors charged with offenses. The Children in Court unit handles abuse and neglect matters. All of these create family court records stored at the county courthouse in New Jersey.
Note: Juvenile and domestic violence records have extra privacy protections under New Jersey law.
New Jersey Family Court Record Access
Rule 1:38 governs public access to court records in New Jersey. It creates a presumption of openness. This means most court records are available to the public. You do not have to be a party to the case. Anyone can request to view family court records in New Jersey.
There are 38 exceptions to this rule. Thirty of those exceptions relate to family and criminal matters. Family court records that are restricted include Family Case Information Statements, Confidential Litigant Information Sheets, medical and psychological records in custody matters, juvenile delinquency records under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60, domestic violence records under N.J.S.A. 2C:25-33, and adoption records under N.J.S.A. 9:3-52. Courts may also seal records for good cause when privacy interests outweigh the public's right of access to family court records in New Jersey.
The Government Records Council oversees compliance with the Open Public Records Act in New Jersey. OPRA gives citizens the right to access government records. You can submit an OPRA request for family court records not covered by one of the 38 exceptions. Custodians must respond within seven business days of receiving your request.
Family Court Record Fees in New Jersey
Fees for family court records vary based on what you need and where you get it. Filing a new divorce complaint costs $300 at any New Jersey Superior Court. Filing without a lawyer adds a $25 surcharge. Motion fees run $15 to $30 depending on the type. These are standard fees across all 21 counties in New Jersey.
Getting copies of existing family court records in New Jersey has separate fees. Plain copies cost $0.05 per letter-size page and $0.07 per legal-size page at the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Certified copies cost $15 per document. A Seal of the Court adds $10. Exemplified copies cost $50 plus copy fees. Divorce certificates from the New Jersey Department of Health cost $25 for the first copy and $2 for each additional copy at the same time. Payment is accepted by check or money order made out to "Treasurer-State of New Jersey."
Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford these costs. Complete a Fee Waiver Application form at the court. You must show proof of hardship such as receiving public assistance in New Jersey.
Copies of New Jersey Family Court Records
You can get copies of family court records in New Jersey through several methods. For open cases, go to the county Superior Court where the case was filed. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can search by name or docket number and make copies for you. You can also submit the Records Request Form (CN 10200) by mail or through the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission system.
For closed cases, contact the Superior Court Clerk's Office in Trenton at 609-421-6100. Closed family court records are transferred to the Records Imaging Center after county retention periods end. Each county has a different cutoff year for archived records. Some go back to 2008 while others extend to 2023. Processing time for archived records is four to six weeks. Email SCCORecordReq.Mailbox@njcourts.gov for status updates on your request for family court records in New Jersey.
The Records Management Services division sets retention schedules for all public records. Divorce judgments are kept permanently. Child custody records are retained until the youngest child turns 23. Temporary orders may have shorter retention periods for family court records in New Jersey.
Note: Divorce documents are only released to a party in the case or their attorney of record unless you have a court order.
Family Court Laws and Rules
New Jersey law sets the rules for family court proceedings. These laws affect how cases are filed and what records are created. The New Jersey Legislature Information System lets you search statutes and pending bills related to family court records.
Key statutes include N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2, which lists the grounds for divorce in New Jersey. The no-fault ground is irreconcilable differences lasting at least six months. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10, at least one spouse must have been a state resident for 12 months before filing on no-fault grounds. New Jersey is an equitable distribution state under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23.1, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not always equally. N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 establishes the Open Public Records Act that governs access to family court records in New Jersey.
The New Jersey Department of Health maintains vital records including divorce certificates from 1951 to the present. Birth records go back to 1925. The New Jersey State Archives holds historical court records dating back to the 1700s, including records from the Court of Common Pleas and the Chancery Court.
Legal Help for Family Court in New Jersey
Several groups offer help with family court cases in New Jersey. Legal Services of New Jersey provides free legal assistance to people with low income. They handle family law cases across the state. Call their hotline at (888) 576-5529 to ask about help with family court matters.
The New Jersey State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-792-8315. The first talk is up to 30 minutes. They match you with a family law attorney in your area. The NJ Courts Self-Help Center has forms and step-by-step guides for people who want to handle their own family court case. You can find complaint forms, answer forms, and all other required papers there. Each county also has an Ombudsman who can help with procedural questions about family court records in New Jersey.
Note: Court staff and the Ombudsman can help with procedures but cannot give legal advice about your family court case.
Browse New Jersey Family Court Records by County
Each county in New Jersey has its own Superior Court that keeps family court records. Pick a county below to find local contact information and resources.
Family Court Records in Major New Jersey Cities
Residents of major cities file family court cases at their county Superior Court. Pick a city below to learn about family court records in that area.