Hunterdon County Court Records

Hunterdon County family court records are filed and stored at the Justice Center in Flemington. The Superior Court, Family Division processes divorce, custody, child support, domestic violence, juvenile, guardianship, adoption, and paternity cases for Hunterdon County residents. This county is part of Vicinage 13, which also covers Somerset and Warren counties. You can search for family court records through the state online system or by visiting the clerk at the Justice Center in person. Staff can help locate records and provide copies.

Hunterdon County Family Division Office

The Family Division is on the 1st Floor of the Hunterdon County Justice Center at 65 Park Avenue in Flemington. This is where all family court cases are filed and processed. The Justice Center sits in the center of town and is easy to reach from most parts of the county. All municipalities in Hunterdon County file family cases here.

Hunterdon County shares Vicinage 13 with Somerset and Warren counties. Some administrative tasks are combined, but each county keeps its own Family Division. The main phone is 908-824-9750. For the Family Division, use extension 13830 or 13750. Family Case Management can also be reached at (908) 231-7600. The Somerset/Hunterdon/Warren Vicinage page provides details on court services and contact numbers.

The Vicinage site covers all three counties and links to court forms and local office information.

Search Family Court Records in Hunterdon County

The eCourts system is the fastest way to search for Hunterdon County family court records online. It is free for basic case details. You can search by party name or docket number. The system covers all New Jersey counties and shows case jacket information for civil and family matters.

Hunterdon County uses the county code 10 in its docket numbers. A divorce case would show as FM-10 followed by the case number and year. Non-dissolution cases show as FD-10. Having the docket number makes any search much faster. If you do not have it, call the Customer Service Unit at 609-421-6100.

You can also visit the Justice Center in Flemington to search records in person. Bring your photo ID. The clerk can look up cases by name or docket number. For copies of documents, bring payment by check or money order. You can also file an OPRA request for Hunterdon County records.

Hunterdon County Family Case Types

The Family Division in Hunterdon County handles all case types that fall under the family court umbrella. Divorce cases are filed under docket code FM. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2, you can file for divorce on fault or no-fault grounds. The residency rule under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10 requires at least one spouse to have lived in New Jersey for 12 months before filing on no-fault grounds.

Custody and child support cases are filed under FD. These records include parenting plans, support calculations, and modification orders. The child support hotline is 1-877-655-4371 for residents of Hunterdon County who need help with payments or enforcement.

Domestic violence cases in Hunterdon County are filed under FV. These records are not public under N.J.S.A. 2C:25-33. Juvenile records are sealed under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60. Adoption records are confidential under N.J.S.A. 9:3-52. Guardianship and paternity cases each have their own docket codes and rules.

Note: Hunterdon County processes fewer family cases than larger counties, which often means shorter wait times for hearings and record requests.

Filing Fees in Hunterdon County

Hunterdon County charges the same fees as all New Jersey courts for family cases. A divorce filing costs $300. The pro se surcharge is $25 if you have no attorney. Motion fees are $15. Post-judgment motions cost $30. An appeal costs $200.

Copy fees follow the state schedule. Plain copies are $0.05 per letter page and $0.07 per legal page. A certified copy is $15. The Seal of the Court adds $10. An exemplified copy costs $50 plus plain copy fees. A certified copy of a final judgment of divorce is $25, with additional copies at $2 each. A Certificate of Divorce is $10. Pay by check or money order to "Treasurer-State of New Jersey." The Hunterdon County courthouse accepts cash in person.

Public Access to Hunterdon County Files

Most family court records in Hunterdon County are public under OPRA (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1). Court Rule 1:38 governs what is open and what is sealed. You can request records through the court or through the Government Records Council. Custodians must respond within seven business days.

Divorce documents in Hunterdon County are only released to a party or their attorney. Others need a court order. Records with special protections include domestic violence files, juvenile records, adoption files, confidential litigant information sheets, and medical reports in custody cases. Courts may seal other records for "good cause" when disclosure would cause serious harm and the privacy interest outweighs public access.

Note: You can submit OPRA requests by mail to the Hunterdon County clerk or use the online form at the Government Records Council site.

How to Get Copies of Hunterdon Records

The location of your records depends on when the case was filed. Cases from 2013 and earlier are archived at the Records Imaging Center (RIC) in Trenton. Cases filed after 2013 are still at the Family Division in Flemington. For open cases, go to the Justice Center.

For archived records, submit the Records Request Form (CN 10200) to the Superior Court Clerk's Office, P.O. Box 967, Trenton, NJ 08625-0967. Email SCCORecordReq.Mailbox@njcourts.gov with questions. The RIC does not accept walk-in visitors. Off-site retrieval may take extra time.

The Hunterdon County government website provides links to the County Clerk, Surrogate, and other offices that may hold records related to your family court case.

The county site lists phone numbers, addresses, and office hours for all Hunterdon County departments.

Legal Help for Hunterdon County Cases

Legal Services of New Jersey offers help to low-income residents through the LSNJLAWSM hotline at (888) 576-5529. They handle divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence cases. Hunterdon County residents can call to find out if they qualify for free legal help.

The New Jersey State Bar Association runs a referral line at 1-800-792-8315. You get up to 30 minutes for a first meeting with a family law attorney. The NJ Courts Self-Help Center has free forms and kits for divorce, custody, support, and other family cases. These are designed for people who will represent themselves in Hunterdon County.

Divorce Certificates in Hunterdon County

The New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics issues divorce certificates. A certificate is a short document that confirms a divorce happened. It shows names, date, and county but not settlement terms. It costs $25 for the first copy and $2 for each extra copy ordered at the same time.

Mail requests go to P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370. Walk-in service is at 140 East Front Street in Trenton. Records go back to 1848. For the full divorce judgment from Hunterdon County, contact the Family Division in Flemington or the Superior Court Clerk's Office in Trenton.

Cities in Hunterdon County

Hunterdon County includes many townships and boroughs. All family court cases are processed at the Justice Center in Flemington.

Other communities in Hunterdon County include Raritan Township, Clinton Township, Readington Township, and Lebanon Township. All file family court cases in Flemington.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Hunterdon County. File your family court case in the county where you or the other party lives.