Atlantic County Family Court Records

Atlantic County family court records are kept at the Superior Court, Family Division in Atlantic City. The court sits in the Civil Courts Building on Bacharach Boulevard and handles all family cases for Atlantic County residents. You can search these records online or visit the courthouse in person. Family court records in Atlantic County cover divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, juvenile matters, guardianship, adoption, and paternity cases. The Family Division staff can help you find case files and get copies of court orders.

Atlantic County Family Division Court

The Family Division for Atlantic County is in the West Wing of the Civil Courts Building in Atlantic City. Atlantic County shares Vicinage 1 with Cape May County, but each county has its own courthouse. Hon. Julio L. Mendez serves as the Assignment Judge for this vicinage. John Thomas is the Family Division Manager, and he can be reached at 609-402-0100 ext. 47467. All family court cases for Atlantic County residents are filed at this location.

The Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage handles a wide range of family court records in Atlantic County. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. ADA accommodations are available, and language interpreter services can be set up in advance of your court date. Staff at the front desk can direct you to the right office for your family court matter.

The Family Division has units for each case type. Each unit has its own phone extension for questions about Atlantic County family court records.

How to Search Atlantic County Records

You can search for family court records in Atlantic County in a few ways. The method you pick depends on what you need and how fast you need it. Online tools work well for basic case data. In-person visits let you see the full file and get copies the same day.

The New Jersey Courts website has a free case search tool at njcourts.gov. You can look up civil cases by name or docket number. For family court records in Atlantic County, the docket format uses county code "01." A typical docket looks like FM-01-07500-00, where FM means a family matrimonial case. Older cases from before 2000 may use the format M-07500-85. If you do not have a docket number, call the Customer Service Unit at 609-421-6100 for help.

To search in person, go to 1201 Bacharach Boulevard in Atlantic City. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can search by name or docket number. You can also submit an OPRA request for Atlantic County records through the county portal or the Government Records Council website.

Note: Atlantic County family court records for divorce cases filed up to 2012 are stored at the Records Imaging Center in Trenton, not at the local courthouse.

Family Court Cases in Atlantic County

The Family Division in Atlantic County handles many types of cases. Divorce and dissolution cases make up a large share of the caseload. These are filed under the FM docket. Child custody and parenting time disputes fall under the FD docket when filed outside of a divorce. Domestic violence cases use the FV docket and are heard on an emergency basis in Atlantic County.

Juvenile delinquency cases are filed under the FJ docket. These records are not public under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60 and have strict access rules. Child abuse and neglect cases go through the Children in Court unit. Adoption records are sealed under N.J.S.A. 9:3-52 and need a court order to open. Guardianship cases are also handled by the Family Division in Atlantic County. Paternity actions to establish who is the legal father of a child are filed here as well. The Child Support and Paternity Unit can be reached at (609) 348-3001, ext. 2679.

Each case type creates its own set of family court records in Atlantic County.

Atlantic County Court Fees

Atlantic County follows the state fee schedule for family court filings. The cost to file a new divorce complaint is $300. If you file without a lawyer, there is an extra $25 surcharge. Motion fees are $15, and post-judgment motions cost $30. Call the clerk to check current fees before you file in Atlantic County.

Copies of family court records in Atlantic County also have fees. Plain copies cost $0.05 per letter-size page and $0.07 per legal-size page. A certified copy of a document costs $15. The Seal of the Court adds $10. A certified copy of a final judgment of divorce costs $25 for the first copy and $2 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. You can pay by check or money order made out to "Treasurer-State of New Jersey." Cash is accepted in person only at the Atlantic County courthouse.

Public Access to Atlantic County Family Court Records

Most family court records in Atlantic County are public under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, the Open Public Records Act. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not have to be a party to the case. But some records have limits. Domestic violence records are not public under N.J.S.A. 2C:25-33. Juvenile records are sealed. Adoption files need a court order. Financial statements filed in divorce cases may be redacted in public copies.

Rule 1:38 of the New Jersey Court Rules sets the rules for public access to court records. It lists 38 exceptions. Thirty of those relate to family and criminal matters. If you need a record that is not public, you can file a motion with the court in Atlantic County to ask for access. The judge will decide based on a "good cause" standard.

Note: Divorce documents in Atlantic County will only be released to a party, their attorney, or someone with a court order.

Getting Copies of Atlantic County Records

For recent family court records in Atlantic County, contact the Family Division at the courthouse. Cases filed after 2012 are at the local courthouse. For older cases, you need to contact the Superior Court Clerk's Office in Trenton. The address is P.O. Box 967, Trenton, NJ 08625-0967, and the phone number is 609-421-6100. You can also email SCCORecordReq.Mailbox@njcourts.gov with questions about your request.

To request copies, fill out the Records Request Form (CN 10200) from the Superior Court Clerk's Office website. You will need the full names of both parties, the date of the case, the county, and the docket number if you have it. A self-addressed stamped envelope is needed for mail requests. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days for recent cases and 4 to 6 weeks for archived records stored at the Records Imaging Center in Trenton.

The Atlantic County Clerk's Office at 5901 Main Street in Mays Landing handles land records and other county documents but does not keep family court records.

County Clerk Joseph J. Giralo oversees that office. For marriage licenses, property deeds, and trade name filings, contact the Clerk at (609) 625-4011. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

Legal Help in Atlantic County

Several groups offer help with family court cases in Atlantic County. Legal Services of New Jersey runs a statewide hotline at (888) 576-5529. They help people with low income who need a lawyer for family court matters. The New Jersey State Bar Association has a lawyer referral line at 1-800-792-8315. The first meeting is up to 30 minutes.

The NJ Courts Self-Help Center has forms and guides for people who want to handle their own case. You can find forms for divorce, custody, child support, domestic violence, and more. The Atlantic County Ombudsman can also help with questions about court steps. The Department of Family and Community Development at 1333 Atlantic Avenue, 3rd Floor, Atlantic City, provides social services support for families going through the court process in Atlantic County.

Note: The Ombudsman can explain court procedures but cannot give legal advice on your Atlantic County family court case.

Atlantic County Divorce Certificates

A divorce certificate is a short form that proves a divorce took place. It is not the same as the full judgment. The New Jersey Department of Health issues these through the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry. You can mail a request to P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370. The fee is $25 for one certified copy and $2 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. You can also visit the walk-in center at 140 East Front Street in Trenton for same-day service.

For the full divorce judgment with all terms, go to the Family Division in Atlantic County or the Superior Court Clerk's Office. The judgment has the details on property, custody, support, and all other orders. Most legal matters need the full judgment, not just a certificate.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Atlantic County. If you are not sure where to file your family court case, check your home address. You must file in the county where you or the other party lives.