Essex County Family Court Records

Essex County family court records are maintained at the courthouse complex in Newark. With over 800,000 residents, Essex County is one of the most populated counties in New Jersey and generates a high volume of family court cases each year. The Family Division of the Superior Court handles all divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, juvenile, guardianship, adoption, and paternity cases. You can search Essex County family court records online or visit the courthouse in Newark to review files and get copies of court orders.

Essex County Family Division Court

The Family Division for Essex County has offices in the Wynona Lipman Family Courthouse and the Wilentz Justice Complex, both at 212 Washington Street in Newark. Hon. Avion M. Benjamin is the Assignment Judge. Edward D. Wingren III serves as Trial Court Administrator. The Essex County Vicinage website has full contact details for all divisions.

Essex County has several courthouse buildings in Newark. The main locations are 470 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., 495 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., and 350 University Avenue. The Dissolution Unit is in Room 113 of the Wynona Lipman Family Courthouse. The Non-Dissolution Unit is in Room 1365 of the Wilentz Justice Complex. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The courthouse complex serves all cities and towns in Essex County, including Newark, East Orange, Montclair, Bloomfield, Irvington, and Livingston.

Each unit in the Family Division has direct phone lines for your questions about Essex County family court records.

How to Search Essex County Family Court Records

You can search for family court records in Essex County online or in person. The Find a Case tool on the NJ Courts website is free. Search by party name or docket number. Essex County uses code "07" in its docket numbers. A docket might look like FM-07-07500-19.

To search in person, go to 212 Washington Street in Newark. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can look up cases by name or docket number and make copies for you. You can also file an OPRA request for Essex County records through the Government Records Council or send one directly to the court. The court must respond within seven business days. If you do not have a docket number, the Customer Service Unit at 609-421-6100 can help you find it.

The Electronic Access Program (EAP) offers remote access to the FACTS database for divorce cases. This is a paid service at $4 per minute with a $500 minimum balance. It runs from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily and is used mostly by attorneys searching Essex County family court records.

• Full name of one or both parties
• Year the case was filed
• Docket number if you have it
• Type of case (divorce, custody, support)

Note: Essex County family court records for divorce cases filed up to 2019 are stored at the Records Imaging Center in Trenton.

Family Court Cases in Essex County

The Family Division in Essex County handles a wide range of cases. Divorce cases are filed under the FM docket and follow N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10, at least one spouse must have been a New Jersey resident for 12 months before filing on no-fault grounds. Child custody and parenting time matters outside of divorce go through the Non-Dissolution Unit.

Domestic violence restraining orders are filed under the FV docket and processed on an emergency basis. Juvenile delinquency cases are not public under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60. Adoption records are sealed under N.J.S.A. 9:3-52 and need a court order to open. Guardianship and paternity cases are also handled by the Family Division. For child support questions in Essex County, call the statewide hotline at 877-655-4371.

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

Essex County Family Court Fees

Essex County follows the standard New Jersey fee schedule for family court cases. Filing a divorce costs $300. The pro se surcharge is $25 if you file without a lawyer. Motions are $15. Post-judgment motions cost $30. Appeals cost $200. Call the clerk to check current fees before filing in Essex County.

Copy fees for family court records in Essex County are also set by the state. Here are the main costs:

• Plain copy, letter size: $0.05 per page
• Certified copy: $15 per document
• Seal of the Court: $10
• Certified divorce judgment: $25 first copy, $2 each extra
• Exemplified copy: $50 plus plain copy fees

Pay by check or money order to "Treasurer-State of New Jersey." Cash works in person only. Credit cards are accepted for online submissions. If you have low income, you may apply for a fee waiver at the Essex County courthouse.

Public Access to Essex County Family Court Records

Most family court records in Essex 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 Rule 1:38 of the New Jersey Court Rules lists 38 exceptions to public access. Thirty of those relate to family and criminal matters.

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 in divorce cases may be redacted. Divorce documents in Essex County are only given to a party, their attorney, or someone with a court order from the judge.

The Essex County Clerk's Office handles marriage licenses, property deeds, and other county documents. It does not keep family court records. Contact the Clerk for marriage records or property records that may connect to your family court case in Essex County.

The Clerk's website has information on land records, trade names, and notary services for Essex County.

Getting Copies of Essex County Records

For family court records filed after 2019, contact the Essex County Family Division at the Wilentz Justice Complex in Newark. For cases from 2019 or earlier, submit a request to the Superior Court Clerk's Office in Trenton. Use 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 if known, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days for recent cases. Archived records may take 4 to 6 weeks. Email SCCORecordReq.Mailbox@njcourts.gov with questions. The Customer Service Unit at 609-421-6100 helps if you need to find your docket number.

The Essex County government portal links to all county offices and services.

Use the county portal to find other Essex County offices that may have records related to your family court case.

Legal Resources in Essex County

Several groups offer help with family court cases in Essex County. Legal Services of New Jersey has a statewide hotline at (888) 576-5529 for low-income residents. Essex-Newark Legal Services handles family law cases and can be reached at (973) 624-4500. The Volunteer Lawyers for Justice program provides pro bono legal help to people who qualify.

The New Jersey State Bar Association referral line is 1-800-792-8315. The first meeting is up to 30 minutes. The NJ Courts Self-Help Center has forms and guides for all family court case types in Essex County. You can find kits for divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence. Forms need Adobe Reader to open and fill out.

Note: The Self-Help Center provides forms and instructions but does not give legal advice on your Essex County family court case.

Divorce Certificates in Essex County

The New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics issues divorce certificates. A certificate is a short form that proves a divorce took place. It shows the names, date, and county but does not include the full terms. Mail your request to P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370. The fee is $25 for one certified copy, with extra copies at $2 each. Walk-in service is at 140 East Front Street in Trenton. The department has records for divorces from 1848 to the present.

For the full divorce judgment with property, custody, and support terms, contact the Family Division in Essex County or the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Most legal matters need the full judgment.

Cities in Essex County

Essex County has over 20 municipalities. All file family court cases at the courthouse complex in Newark.

Other places in Essex County include Montclair, Livingston, West Orange, Maplewood, South Orange, Nutley, and Belleville. All family court cases go through the Essex County courthouse in Newark.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Essex County. Make sure you file your family court case in the county where you or the other party lives.