Find Bergen County Family Court Records

Bergen County family court records are filed and stored at the Justice Center in Hackensack. This is the most populated county in New Jersey and handles a large volume of family cases each year. The Family Division at 10 Main Street processes divorce filings, custody disputes, child support orders, domestic violence cases, juvenile matters, and more. You can search Bergen County family court records online through the state court system or visit the courthouse in person to review files and request copies.

Bergen County Family Court Location

All family court records in Bergen County are filed at the Bergen County Justice Center at 10 Main Street in Hackensack. This modern building houses every division of the Superior Court. The Family Division is on the main level. Kelly Gibson serves as the Family Division contact and Ombudsman, reachable at 201-221-0700 ext. 25103. The Bergen County Vicinage website has full contact details for all court offices.

The Justice Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The building is fully accessible with automatic doors and elevators. If you need an interpreter, call ahead so the court can arrange one for your hearing date. The Ombudsman office is in Suite 125 and can help you with questions about court procedures for family court records in Bergen County.

Bergen County has separate phone extensions for each unit in the Family Division.

Searching Bergen County Family Court Records

There are a few ways to find family court records in Bergen County. The free Find a Case tool on the NJ Courts website lets you search civil cases by party name or docket number. Bergen County uses county code "02" in its docket numbers. A typical docket looks like FM-02-07500-15. Cases from before 2000 may use the older format M-07500-85.

For a deeper search, visit the Justice Center in Hackensack. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk can look up family court records by name or case number and make copies for you. You may also file an OPRA request for Bergen County court records. The Government Records Council has forms and guidance for OPRA requests. The court must respond within seven business days.

The Electronic Access Program (EAP) provides remote access to the Family Automated Case Tracking System (FACTS) for divorce cases. This is a paid service at $4 per minute. It requires a $500 minimum account balance and is used mostly by attorneys and legal professionals searching Bergen County family court records.

Note: Bergen County family court records for divorce cases filed up to 2015 are stored at the Records Imaging Center in Trenton.

Types of Family Court Cases

The Family Division in Bergen County hears many case types. Divorce and dissolution cases are filed under the FM docket. These include all issues tied to ending a marriage, such as property division, alimony, and parenting plans. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2, New Jersey allows both fault and no-fault grounds for divorce.

The Non-Dissolution Unit handles custody, parenting time, paternity, child support, and spousal support when there is no divorce case. These use the FD docket in Bergen County. Domestic violence restraining orders are filed under the FV docket and heard on an emergency basis. Juvenile delinquency cases use the FJ docket. Adoption and guardianship matters are also part of the family court caseload. Child support enforcement for Bergen County goes through the statewide hotline at 877-655-4371.

Bergen County Filing Fees

Filing a divorce complaint in Bergen County costs $300. A $25 surcharge applies if you file without a lawyer. Motions cost $15 each. Post-judgment motions are $30. Appeals cost $200. These fees follow the standard New Jersey schedule.

Copy fees for family court records in Bergen County are set by the state. Plain copies are $0.05 per page for letter size and $0.07 for legal size. A certified copy costs $15. Adding the Seal of the Court is $10 more. A certified copy of a final judgment of divorce is $25 for the first copy. Each extra copy at the same time is $2. Basic case history printouts are available at no charge for simple case data in Bergen County. Pay by check or money order to "Treasurer-State of New Jersey." Credit cards work for online requests.

Note: If you have low income, you may apply for a fee waiver by filing a form with the court in Bergen County.

Public Access to Bergen County Records

Family court records in Bergen County are generally public under the Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1. Anyone can ask to view them. You do not need to be involved in the case. But there are limits set by Rule 1:38 of the New Jersey Court Rules.

Domestic violence records are off limits to the public under N.J.S.A. 2C:25-33. Juvenile records are sealed under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60. Adoption files require a court order. Financial statements filed in family cases may have private details blacked out. Divorce documents in Bergen County are only released to a party, their lawyer, or someone with a court order from the judge.

The Bergen County Surrogate's Court at Two Bergen County Plaza, Suite 5000, Hackensack, handles probate and estate matters. Surrogate Michael R. Dressler can be reached at 201-336-6700. Guardianship records kept by the Surrogate are also subject to limits on public access.

The Bergen County government portal links to many county offices and services.

Getting Copies in Bergen County

For family court records filed after 2015, contact the Bergen County Family Division at the Justice Center. For cases from 2015 or earlier, submit a request to the Superior Court Clerk's Office in Trenton. Fill out the Records Request Form (CN 10200). Mail it to P.O. Box 967, Trenton, NJ 08625-0967. Include the names of both parties, the docket number, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

You can also email questions about your request to SCCORecordReq.Mailbox@njcourts.gov. The Customer Service Unit at 609-421-6100 can help if you do not know your docket number. Allow extra time for records stored off-site at the Records Imaging Center.

Legal Help for Bergen County Families

Legal Services of New Jersey offers free help to people with low income. Call (888) 576-5529 for the statewide hotline. The New Jersey State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-792-8315. Your first meeting is up to 30 minutes.

The NJ Courts Self-Help Center provides all the forms you need for family court in Bergen County. It has guides for divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence cases. Forms must be downloaded and opened with Adobe Reader. The Bergen County Ombudsman at 201-221-0700 ext. 25103 can answer questions about court steps and direct you to the right office. The Recovery Court program at ext. 25012 serves those in Bergen County who need substance abuse treatment as part of their family court case.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Bergen County. Check the address where you live to make sure you file in the right county. Filing in the wrong county can cause delays in your family court case.