Middlesex County Family Court Records

Middlesex County family court records are processed at a dedicated Family Courthouse in New Brunswick. This sets Middlesex County apart from most other counties, which share space in a general courthouse. The Family Division handles divorce, custody, child support, domestic violence, juvenile, guardianship, adoption, and paternity cases. Residents can search for family court records online or visit the courthouse at 120 New Street. The county seat is New Brunswick, and the Family Courthouse serves all towns in Middlesex County.

Middlesex County Family Courthouse

Middlesex County has its own Family Courthouse at 120 New Street in New Brunswick. This building is separate from the main Middlesex County Courthouse on Paterson Street. Having a stand-alone family courthouse means all family court services are under one roof. Filing, hearings, mediation, and records are all at the same address.

The main phone for the Middlesex County Vicinage is 732-645-4300. The Family Division Manager can be reached at extension 88707 or 88664. Family Part Intake Reception is at extension 88530. Matrimonial cases use extension 88580. Domestic violence is at 88560. Non-dissolution uses 88380. Juvenile is at 88390. Children in Court uses 88570. Each unit handles its own type of family court record in Middlesex County.

The Vicinage page provides a full list of court locations and phone numbers for Middlesex County.

Search Records in Middlesex County

The eCourts public access tool is the quickest way to search Middlesex County family court records online. You can look up cases by party name or docket number. The tool is free for basic case jacket information. It covers all 21 counties in New Jersey.

Middlesex County uses county code 12. Divorce dockets show as FM-12, non-dissolution as FD-12, and domestic violence as FV-12. A full docket number looks like FM-12-01234-24, where the last two digits show the filing year. If you need help finding your docket number, call 609-421-6100.

In-person searches are done at the Family Courthouse in New Brunswick. Bring a photo ID. The clerk can search by name or docket number and pull files for you. Copy fees apply. You can also send an OPRA request to the court or through the Government Records Council.

Note: Middlesex County family court records are only available in the form the court maintains them, not in custom compilations.

Case Types at Middlesex County Court

The Family Courthouse in Middlesex County handles every type of family case. Divorce is the most common. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2, you may file on fault or no-fault grounds. The residency rule in N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10 requires at least 12 months of living in New Jersey before a no-fault filing. Middlesex County residents file at the New Brunswick courthouse.

Custody, parenting time, and child support cases make up a large share of the family court docket in Middlesex County. Records include parenting plans, financial statements, and court orders. Support amounts and payment records are tracked by the state. Call 1-877-655-4371 for child support questions.

Domestic violence cases are filed under FV and include restraining orders. These records are restricted 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 are also processed at the Middlesex County Family Courthouse.

Middlesex County Court Filing Fees

Middlesex County follows the statewide fee schedule. Divorce filing costs $300. The pro se surcharge is $25 for those without a lawyer. Motions cost $15. Post-judgment motions are $30. Appeals cost $200.

Record copies in Middlesex County cost $0.05 per letter-size page for plain copies and $0.07 for legal-size. Certified copies cost $15 per document. The Seal of the Court adds $10. A certified copy of a final judgment of divorce is $25 for the first and $2 for each additional copy. A Certificate of Divorce is $10. An exemplified copy costs $50 plus page fees. Pay by check or money order to "Treasurer-State of New Jersey." Cash is accepted in person at the Middlesex County Family Courthouse.

Low-income residents can apply for a fee waiver to file without cost in Middlesex County.

Public Access in Middlesex County

Most family court records in Middlesex County are open to the public under OPRA (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1). Court Rule 1:38 sets the framework for what is public and what is not. You do not need to be a party to request records.

Divorce files are only released to a party or attorney of record in Middlesex County. Everyone else must get a court order. Sealed records include domestic violence files, juvenile records, adoption files, confidential litigant sheets, and medical reports used in custody cases. A court can seal other records for good cause when the privacy interest is strong enough to outweigh public access in Middlesex County.

Note: OPRA requires a response within seven business days, but retrieval of archived records from Middlesex County may take longer.

Getting Record Copies from Middlesex County

Cases filed in 2016 or earlier are archived at the Records Imaging Center (RIC) in Trenton. Cases filed after 2016 remain at the Family Courthouse in New Brunswick. For open cases, go to the courthouse directly.

For archived Middlesex County records, use the Records Request Form (CN 10200) and send it to the Superior Court Clerk's Office, P.O. Box 967, Trenton, NJ 08625-0967. The RIC is not open for walk-in access. Allow extra processing time for older files. Questions can go to SCCORecordReq.Mailbox@njcourts.gov.

Payment for archived records is by check or money order. Credit cards are accepted for electronic submissions through the online portal.

Legal Help in Middlesex County

Legal Services of New Jersey helps low-income Middlesex County residents with family court cases. Call the LSNJLAWSM hotline at (888) 576-5529. Central Jersey Legal Services also covers the New Brunswick area and provides free legal aid for qualifying residents who need help with divorce, custody, or support matters.

The New Jersey State Bar Association referral line at 1-800-792-8315 can match you with a family law attorney. The first talk is up to 30 minutes. The NJ Courts Self-Help Center has free forms and instructions for handling family court cases on your own in Middlesex County. Forms cover divorce, custody, child support, domestic violence, and more.

Divorce Certificates for Middlesex County

The New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics issues divorce certificates. A certificate confirms a divorce took place. It lists names, date, and county. It does not show the terms of the settlement.

The cost is $25 for the first copy and $2 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Mail requests to P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370. Walk-in service is at 140 East Front Street, Trenton. The office holds records from 1848 to the present. For the full judgment with custody, property, and support details, contact the Family Courthouse in New Brunswick or the Superior Court Clerk's Office for Middlesex County records.

Cities in Middlesex County

Middlesex County includes many large townships and cities. All family court cases go through the Family Courthouse in New Brunswick.

Other towns in Middlesex County include East Brunswick, South Brunswick, Monroe Township, Sayreville, and South Plainfield. All use the Family Courthouse in New Brunswick.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Middlesex County. You must file family court cases in the county where you or the other party resides.