Find Clifton Family Court Records
Clifton family court records are managed through the Passaic County Superior Court, Family Division. Clifton is a city in Passaic County with a large and diverse population. Family court records here cover divorce, custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence, guardianship, adoption, and juvenile matters. Residents of Clifton file their family court cases at the Passaic County Courthouse in Paterson. You can search for these records online or visit the courthouse to get copies of family court records filed in Clifton.
Clifton Quick Facts
Clifton Family Court Filing Location
Clifton residents file family court matters at the Passaic County Courthouse in Paterson. The Family Division is at 77 Hamilton Street, Paterson, NJ 07505. There is also an office at the County Administration Building, 8th Floor, 401 Grand Street, Paterson. The courthouse handles all family law cases for Clifton and every other town in Passaic County.
| Court | Passaic County Superior Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 77 Hamilton Street Paterson, NJ 07505 |
| Phone | 973-247-8600 / 973-653-2910 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | njcourts.gov/courts/vicinages/passaic |
Clifton has its own municipal court at 900 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07013. The municipal court handles traffic and minor offenses. It does not handle family court records. All divorce, custody, and support cases for Clifton go to the Passaic County court in Paterson. Bring a photo ID when you go.
Note: The Passaic County Surrogate holds Night Court at Clifton City Hall on the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30 to 7:00 PM.
Search Clifton Family Court Records Online
The New Jersey Judiciary offers free online tools to search for family court records. The Find a Case tool lets you look up civil cases by name or docket number. For Clifton family court records, use the Passaic County code "16" in docket numbers. The format for a family matrimonial case is "FM-16" followed by the case number and year.
Online searches show basic case information. You get party names, filing dates, and case status. You do not get full documents online for free. To get copies of actual filings, you must request them from the clerk. The Superior Court Clerk's Office handles records requests. Fill out form CN 10200 and send it to the court. You can also email questions to SCCORecordReq.Mailbox@njcourts.gov.
Plain copies of Clifton family court records cost $0.05 per page for letter size. Certified copies are $15 per document. A seal of the court costs an extra $10.
Clifton Court and City Resources
The City of Clifton provides local government services and helpful links for residents who need court or community resources.
Clifton's municipal court at 900 Clifton Avenue is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Evening night court sessions are held on Mondays from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. While the municipal court does not hear family cases, it can point you to the right office for family court records in Clifton.
Divorce Records for Clifton Residents
Clifton residents who need divorce records go through the Passaic County court system. The filing fee for a new divorce case is $300. A $25 surcharge applies if you file without an attorney. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10, at least one spouse must be a New Jersey resident for 12 months before filing on no-fault grounds. You do not need to live in Clifton for the full year. Any New Jersey address works as long as you file in the right county.
Divorce documents are only released to parties in the case or their attorneys. Others need a court order. A certified copy of a final judgment of divorce costs $25 for the first copy, with each extra copy at $2 when ordered at the same time. Divorce certificates from the New Jersey Department of Health are a separate document. They show basic facts only. You can order those through the Office of Vital Statistics for $25.
Clifton Child Custody and Support Cases
Custody and child support cases in Clifton create family court records at the Passaic County courthouse. The court uses the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines to set support amounts. Both parents' income is part of the calculation. You can reach the NJ Child Support hotline at 1-877-655-4371 for questions about payments or enforcement.
Clifton parents can file for custody through the Family Division. The court looks at what serves the best interest of the child. Joint custody, sole custody, and parenting time schedules are all decided here. Each order goes into the family court record. The NJ Courts Self-Help Center has forms for custody and support filings.
You can change existing orders if your situation changes. File a motion to modify with the Passaic County court. The court will review the new facts and decide if a change is right.
Note: Child support records with payment information are confidential under Rule 1:38-3(d) and not open to the public.
Domestic Violence Cases in Clifton
Domestic violence cases in Clifton go through the Passaic County Family Division. Victims can get a temporary restraining order at any time. During court hours, go to the courthouse in Paterson. After hours, go to the Clifton police. A hearing for a final restraining order is set within ten days. Records from these cases are not public under N.J.S.A. 2C:25-33.
Call the NJ Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-572-7233 for free help at any hour.
Juvenile and Guardianship Records
Juvenile delinquency records in Clifton are confidential under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60. These cases are heard in the Family Division. The records are sealed and only available to authorized parties. Guardianship records are also restricted. The Surrogate's Office handles guardianship of estates and incapacitated adults. Attorneys and title examiners can view the guardianship index under certain conditions, but full records require a court order.
Adoption records in New Jersey are sealed under N.J.S.A. 9:3-52. Access requires a court order. The state Department of Health maintains separate adoption records as well.
Passaic County Family Court Records
Clifton is in Passaic County. All family court filings for Clifton go through the Passaic County Superior Court in Paterson. The county court serves every town in the county. For more details on the county court system, fees, and available records, visit the Passaic County family court records page.