Trenton Family Court Records
Trenton family court records are kept at the Mercer County Superior Court, Family Division. Trenton is the county seat of Mercer County and the state capital of New Jersey. Residents who need to find family court records for divorce, custody, child support, or domestic violence cases go through the Mercer County court system. The Family Division in Trenton handles all types of family law cases for the county. You can search for these records in person at the courthouse or use online tools from the New Jersey Judiciary.
Trenton Quick Facts
Where Trenton Family Court Records Are Filed
Trenton residents file family court cases at the Mercer County Civil Courthouse. The courthouse is at 175 South Broad Street, Trenton, NJ 08650. This is where divorce, custody, child support, paternity, and guardianship cases are heard. As the county seat, Trenton is home to all Mercer County court offices. The Family Division phone number is 609-571-4200 ext. 74380.
| Court | Mercer County Superior Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 175 South Broad Street Trenton, NJ 08650 |
| Phone | 609-571-4200 ext. 74380 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | njcourts.gov/courts/vicinages/mercer |
The Mercer County Criminal Courthouse is at a different location: 400 South Warren Street, Trenton, NJ 08608. Family court records in Trenton are handled at the civil courthouse, not the criminal one. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Security screens all visitors at the entrance.
How to Search Trenton Family Court Records
You can search for family court records in Trenton through several methods. The New Jersey Judiciary provides free online case lookup tools. These let you find basic case data like names, dates, and case status. For full case files or certified copies, you need to visit the courthouse or submit a written request. The eCourts system at njcourts.gov covers all Mercer County cases, including those filed in Trenton.
To search Trenton family court records, you will need:
- Full name of at least one party
- Case docket number if you have it
- The year the case was filed
- Type of case such as divorce or custody
The Mercer County docket number format starts with "FM-11" for family matrimonial cases. The "11" is the Mercer County code. If you do not have a docket number, the Customer Service Unit at 609-421-6100 can help you find it. You can also contact the court directly for help with locating Trenton family court records.
Note: Trenton is also home to the Superior Court Records Center at 171 Jersey Street where archived records from all 21 counties are stored.
Trenton Divorce Records
Divorce records are one of the most common types of family court records in Trenton. All divorce cases for Trenton residents go through the Mercer County Superior Court. The filing fee is $300 for a new divorce complaint. A $25 surcharge applies if you file without a lawyer. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2, you can file on no-fault grounds using "irreconcilable differences" that have lasted at least six months.
Divorce documents in Trenton are only released to a party in the case or the attorney of record. If you are a party, bring a valid state ID. Anyone else needs a court order to get copies. This rule protects private details in family court records. Certified copies of a final judgment of divorce cost $25 for the first copy and $2 for each extra copy ordered at the same time.
The NJ Courts Self-Help Center has forms and guides for people filing on their own. Forms are free to download. You can also submit documents through the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission system, or JEDS, which is open around the clock.
Trenton Family Court Resources
The City of Trenton provides local government services and court information through its official website. Residents can find links to municipal services, community programs, and local offices that may help with family court matters.
Trenton is a mid-size city with about 90,000 residents. As the state capital, it hosts many state offices. The Family Division Manager can be reached at 609-571-4200 ext. 74390 for questions about specific Trenton family court records or case procedures.
Custody and Child Support Records in Trenton
Custody and child support cases create their own set of family court records in Trenton. Parents who need to set up or change custody arrangements file at the Mercer County Family Division. The court decides custody based on what is best for the child. Both parents can ask for joint or sole custody. All orders become part of the family court record.
Child support in Trenton follows the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines. These guidelines use both parents' income to set the support amount. The New Jersey Child Support hotline at 1-877-655-4371 can help with questions about payments and enforcement. Probation services handle the collection of child support in Mercer County. If a parent does not pay, the court can take action through wage garnishment or other means.
Note: Child support records that contain information about persons receiving or ordered to pay support are confidential under Rule 1:38-3(d).
Domestic Violence Court Records in Trenton
Domestic violence cases in Trenton are heard in the Family Division. Victims can get a temporary restraining order at any time. During court hours, go to the Mercer County courthouse. After hours, contact the local police. The court will schedule a hearing within ten days to decide on a final restraining order. These records are protected under N.J.S.A. 2C:25-33 and are not open to the public.
For help, call the NJ Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-572-7233 any time. This line is free and available around the clock.
Archived Family Court Records in Trenton
Closed family court cases from Mercer County are sent to the Records Imaging Center after the active retention period ends. The RIC is right in Trenton at 171 Jersey Street. It stores millions of case files from all 21 New Jersey counties. To request an archived record, fill out the Records Request Form (CN 10200) from the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Mail it to P.O. Box 967, Trenton, NJ 08625-0967, or email SCCORecordReq.Mailbox@njcourts.gov with questions about your request.
Records stored off-site may take longer to find. Plain copies cost $0.05 per letter-size page. Certified copies cost $15 per document. A seal of the court adds $10. Allow extra time if you need archived family court records from Trenton or any other county.
Under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act, custodians must respond to records requests within seven business days. Family court records have specific exemptions from public access, so some documents may not be available without a court order.
Note: The RIC is not open for walk-in visits, so all requests for archived family court records must go through the written request process.
Guardianship and Adoption Records
Guardianship cases in Trenton are handled through both the Family Division and the Mercer County Surrogate's Office. The Surrogate handles guardianship of incapacitated adults and minors' estates. Guardianship records and reports are confidential, except for the guardianship index, which attorneys and title examiners can view under certain conditions.
Adoption records in Trenton are sealed by law under N.J.S.A. 9:3-52. You need a court order to access them. The adoption process creates family court records that remain strictly private. The New Jersey Department of Health also maintains adoption records, including foreign and domestic adoptions.
Mercer County Family Court Records
Trenton is the county seat of Mercer County. All family court filings for Trenton go through the Mercer County Superior Court. The county court handles cases for every municipality in the county. For full details on the court system, fees, and related records, visit the Mercer County family court records page.